Adama Sidibeh got his first league goal of the season as Saints defeated Raith Rovers 2-0 at Stark’s Park this afternoon.
Josh McPake came close to opening the scoring after 5 minutes when his shot hit the crossbar.
Lewis Vaughan should have put the hosts ahead on 28 minutes when he got on the end of a Paul McMullan cross. Then a minute later Sidibeh put Saints ahead as he was played in by a brilliant through ball from Reece McAlear before slotting it beyond Josh Rae.
A Matty Foulds free kick was brilliantly saved by Rae early in the second half, whilst up the other end Toby Steward made a brilliant block to deny Vaughan.
Saints wrapped up the points with 2 minutes remaining as McPake slotted the ball home after some brilliant work from Sven Sprangler.
Saints are back in action on Friday night as they welcome Dunfermline Athletic to McDiarmid Park, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints returned to action this afternoon following the international break last weekend as they headed to Fife to take on Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park. Simo Valakari made three changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Greenock Morton a fortnight ago as Reghan Tumilty and Sam Stanton dropped to the bench, whilst Stevie Mallan missed out due to injury. They were replaced by Adam Forrester, Kai Fotheringham, who were both making their first starts for Saints and Jonathan Svedberg. There was also a place on the bench for Jannik Wanner who joined the club this week on loan from Livingston. Raith Rovers defeated Greenock Morton 1-0 last weekend and Barry Robson made one change to the side which started at Cappielow as Lewis Vaughan came in to replace Josh Mullin who was suspended.
Kai Fotheringham got the match underway for Saints and the midfielder created the first chance of the match as he burst into the Rovers box before slipping the ball to Jonathan Svedberg however, his effort was blocked. The ball then broke to Josh McPake and the winger hit the crossbar with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Chances were at a premium in the opening exchanges and on 23 minutes Saints created another chance as from an Adam Forrester throw-in Adama Sidibeh laid the ball off to Fotheringham however, his strike was blocked by the Raith defence. Then 3 minutes later a brilliant touch and run from Sidibeh saw the Gambian win Saints their first corner of the game. The corner was taken by Svedberg and his delivery into the box was cleared only as far as Reece McAlear whose effort from just outside the box didn’t trouble Josh Rae.
PHOTO: Josh McPake and Jordan Doherty
On 28 minutes Raith Rovers missed a glorious chance to take the lead as Paul McMullen picked out Lewis Vaughan in the box however, he blasted his right-footed effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Then a minute later Saints took the lead as a brilliant through ball from McAlear played in Sidibeh who beat the offside trap to go in one-on-one with Rae before slotting the ball under the Raith number one and into the net.
Raith Rovers pushed to get back into the game and on 38 minutes Toby Steward made a good save to deny Dylan Easton.
PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh scores to make it 1-0
9 minutes into the second half Saints were awarded a free kick after Sidibeh had been fouled by Lewis Stevenson. Both Jonathan Svedberg and Matty Foulds stood over the free kick and it was taken by the latter as his deep delivery into the box was tipped behind for a corner by Rae.
Saints made their first change of the game on 64 minutes as Jannik Wanner came on to make his debut, replacing Jonathan Svedberg.
PHOTO: Kai Fotheringham shoots at goal
On 71 minutes Easton sent over a low corner from the right, picking out Vaughan however, Steward made a brilliant blocked to deny the forward. The Kirkcaldy side continued to push for an equaliser and a minute later Raith substitute Jack Hamilton picked out Vaughan who unleashed a left footed effort which went high over the crossbar.
Hamilton then got a chance of his own to level the match however, his header from the centre of the box was straight at Steward who comfortably held the ball.
With 11 minutes remaining a Wanner corner from the right was met by Cheick Diabate however, the defender couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as it was gathered by Rae.
PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh and Paul Hanlon
Saints then made another change as Sven Sprangler came on to replace Kai Fotheringham and the Austrian almost made an instant impact as on 84 minutes he got on the end of a Sidibeh cross however, his diving header was saved by Rae.
Sprangler though made amends on 88 minutes as he beat Rae to the ball to slide in McPake and the William Hill Championship Player of the Month for August slotted the ball into the net to seal the points for Saints.
There was one final change for Saints in stoppage time as Reghan Tumilty came on to replace Josh McPake as Saints comfortably saw the game out.
PHOTO: Josh McPake celebrates his goal
Raith Rovers: Rae, Hanlon, Fordyce, Matthews, Vaughan, McMullen (Hamilton 55’), Brown, Byrne (Chin 71’), Doherty, Easton, Stevenson
Unused Substitutes: Glavin (GK), Rowe, Wilson, O’Connor, Gentles, Montagu, Nsio
Booked: Brown
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Holt, Svedberg (Wanner 64’), Sidibeh, Foulds, Baird, Fotheringham (Sprangler 80’), McPake (Tumilty 90+2’), Forrester, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Boyes, Griffith, Stanton, Ikpeazu, Franczak
Booked: None
Scorers: Sidibeh (29’), McPake (88’)
Referee: Chris Graham
Attendance: 5,163
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Adama Sidibeh breaks forward
