A first half penalty from Josh Fowler earned Saints their first away win of the season this afternoon as they defeated Aberdeen 1-0 at Pittodrie.
The only goal of the game came after 14 minutes, when Fowler converted from the penalty spot after a handball by Jack Milne was confirmed following a VAR review.
Aberdeen then pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but they struggled to break down Saints as Simo Valakari’s side produced a superb team performance to soak up the pressure, with Toby Steward making several vital saves to keep the Dons at bay.
This afternoon’s win moves Saints up to fifth in the William Hill Premiership.
Next up for Saints is a home game against Dundee United on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints returned to action this afternoon following the international break as they headed to the north-east to take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie for a William Hill Premiership match which was live on Premier Sports. Simo Valakari made five changes to the side which started the 1-1 draw with Falkirk prior to the international break as Matty Todd, Matty Foulds, Daniel Finlayson, Sam Stanton and Ruari Paton came into the starting eleven. They replaced Taylor Steven, Joel Cotterill and Josh Campbell who all dropped to the bench, whilst Cheick Diabate missed out due to suspension after getting sent off against The Bairns. Zach Mitchell was also missing after the defender was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury during the second half against Falkirk. Aberdeen drew 1-1 at Hibs prior to the international break and manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the side which started at Easter Road. Afeez Aremu and Toyosi Olusanya both dropped to the bench, and they were replaced by Brad Lyons and Ayoub Mouloua.
Brad Lyons got the match underway for the hosts, and it was a slow start to the match as neither side was able to test either keeper in the opening exchanges.
Then on 10 minutes Saints were claiming for a penalty after Jack Milne had handled Josh Fowler’s volley. Following a lengthy VAR check which also looked at if there had been an offside in the build-up referee Ryan Lee was called to the monitor by Duncan Nicholson. After reviewing the incident on the monitor Lee awarded Saints the penalty. Fowler stepped up to take the spot kick, and he slotted home a low effort, sending Dons keeper Marius Müller the wrong way, to put Saints ahead.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler makes it 1-0 from the penalty spot
Milne tried to make amends for conceding the penalty on 17 minutes as Kevin Nisbet played the ball back to the defender however, his effort from 20 yards went high into the Richard Donald Stand. Shortly after The Dons were claiming for a penalty as Ayoub Mouloua went down in the box however, Ryan Lee wasn’t interested as he waved play on.
Just before the half an hour mark a low cross into the Saints box from the right by Chris Cadden caused panic in the box as the ball pinballed off Ruari Paton, Daniel Finlayson and Liam Smith before it was gathered by Toby Steward.
On 31 minutes Nisbet sent Mouloua free down the left as space opened up for the Moroccan forward as he unleashed a curling strike however, Steward produced a brilliant save to push the shot away. Steward was called into action again on 36 minutes as a long ball forward from Lyons sent Nisbet one-on-one with the Saints keeper however, the Scotland international was denied by the Saints number one as Steward used his leg to block the shot.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton breaks forward
Saints were content to sit in and soak up the pressure from the hosts and on 42 minutes Lewis Smith, on for Ayoub Mouloua who had picked up a head knock, blasted an effort over from the edge of the area. Aberdeen were struggling to break down the Saints defence and in first half stoppage time Nisbet saw his shot deflected for a corner by Smith.
Aberdeen started the second half on the front foot as they laid siege to the Saints goal. On 49 minutes Cadden sent a dangerous ball into the box from the right which Sam Stanton was able to head behind for a corner from which the ball was worked to Connor Ronan but his powerful effort from outside the box was headed behind for another corner by Todd.
The pressure from Pittodrie side continued and on 50 minutes Ronan got another sight of goal however his shot from 12 yards went narrowly wide of the far post.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton charges down Marius Müller
Saints made their first change of the game on 58 minutes as Joel Cotterill came on to replace Ruari Paton.
Aberdeen continued to push forward for an equaliser and on 65 minutes Tony Yogane sent over a dangerous ball into the box from the left which was met at the far post by Cadden however, the right-back blasted his effort over.
Simo Valakari made another change on 67 minutes as Taylor Steven replaced Matty Todd.
With 20 minutes remaining brilliant play by Jason Holt saw the Saints captain win possession from Lyons before playing a one-two with Fowler. As the ball was played back to Holt the midfielder saw his strike turned behind for a corner by Milne.
Saints were putting in an excellent team performance as the home side continued to press forward. On 72 minutes Smith picked out Yogane, but his right footed effort was saved by Steward. Then 2 minutes later Steward brilliantly pushed away a cross Hicham Mahou.
PHOTO: Jason Holt’s shot is deflected wide
Saints brought on more fresh legs with 12 minutes remaining as Josh Campbell and Jamie Gullan were introduced into the action, replacing Sam Stanton and Josh Fowler.
The frustration amongst the home fans was becoming louder as the second half progressed. On 83 minutes Yogane sent another cross into the Saints box which was met by Mahou who flashed an effort into the side netting. Then a minute later Nisbet got up well to meet a Cadden cross from the right however, his header from 15 yards was well held by Steward.
As the match entered 3 minutes of additional time Bozo Mikulić came on to replace Daniel Finlayson as Saints comfortably saw the game out to secure the 3 points and their first clean sheet of the season.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari celebrates with the travelling fans at full time
Aberdeen: Müller, Knoester, Lyons, Mouloua (Smith 35’), Nisbet, Molloy, Milne, Guinness-Walker (Mahou 68’), Ronan (Yogane 59’), Cadden (Aremu 90’), Marshall (Armstrong 59’)
Unused Substitutes: Klein (GK), Olusanya, Mayo, Happe
Booked: None
Saints: Steward, Alić, Holt, Fowler (Gullan 78’), Stanton (Campbell 78’), Foulds, Finlayson (Mikulić 90’+1), Todd (Steven 67’), Smith, McAlear, Paton (Cotterill 58’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Fotheringham, Schmidt, Chalmers
Booked: None
Scorer: Fowler (14’ pen)
Referee: Ryan Lee
VAR: Duncan Nicholson
Attendance: 16,706
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Josh Fowler celebrates his penalty
