Saints undefeated start to their league campaign came to an end this afternoon as they lost 3-1 at Arbroath.
It was a perfect start to the match for Saints as Josh McPake gave them the lead after 5 minutes, sending a composed finish beyond Aidan McAdams.
However, the hosts regrouped at half time and made a strong start to the second half with Findlay Marshall levelling the match on 51 minutes.
The Red Lichties then took the lead on 57 minutes when Gavin Reilly slotted home after Marshall’s effort had been saved by Toby Steward. Arbroath then sealed the points 5 minutes later as Marshall got his second of the game, slotting a low effort beyond Steward.
Saints are back in action next Saturday as they make the trip to take on Greenock Morton at Cappielow, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
After two consecutive home games Saints were back on their travels today as they headed to Angus to take on Arbroath at Gayfield Park. Saints were held to a goalless draw with Ross County at McDiarmid Park last Saturday and Simo Valakari decided to go with the same team which started against the Staggies for this afternoon’s William Hill Championship match. There were also spaces on the bench for Adama Sidibeh and Uche Ikpeazu who both missed out last weekend due to being on international duty. Arbroath ran out 4-1 winners at home to Queen’s Park last Saturday and co-player managers Colin Hamilton and David Gold made one enforced change as Taylor Steven missed out due to the arrangements of his loan deal from Saints and he was replaced by David Gold.
Gavin Reilly got the match underway for the hosts however, the Red Lichties would find themselves a goal down after 5 minutes as Saints took the lead. Reece McAlear sent a brilliant through ball to Josh McPake and the winger was in one-on-one with Aidan McAdams as he guided a low strike into the bottom corner of the net.
Another brilliant through ball into the Arbroath box on 12 minutes saw Jamie Gullan latch onto it before unleashing a strike which was brilliantly saved by McAdams.
PHOTO: Josh McPake slots the ball past Aidan McAdams to make it 1-0
Arbroath got a sight of goal on 19 minutes as Jack Wilkie linked up well with Reilly before unleashing a left-footed effort from just outside the box which went over the bar.
More good play by Saints on 22 minutes saw McPake play the ball out wide to Liam Smith and his deep cross from the right was met by Jason Holt at the back post however, the volley from the Saints captain was brilliantly blocked by Scott Stewart who turned the ball behind for a corner.
Saints came close to doubling their lead ten minutes later when Gullan played a fantastic ball out wide to McPake who then burst down the left channel before sending over a dangerous cross into the Arbroath box which Kai Fotheringham was inches away from connecting with.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan’s shot is saved by Aidan McAdams
Saints made a change at the break as Uche Ikpeazu came on to replace Kai Fotheringham and the forward almost made an instant impact. 2 minutes into the second half Smith played a pass to Ikpeazu and the forward did well to beat Thomas O’Brien as he cut inside from the right before seeing his low left-footed effort go narrowly wide of the far post.
Arbroath levelled the match on 51 minutes as Reilly’s through ball played in Findlay Marshall and he sent a low shot across the goal which squirmed through Toby Steward’s hands before nestling in the far corner of the net.
PHOTO: Cheick Diabate and Ryan Dow
Saints tried to get an instant response as Ikpeazu picked out Sven Sprangler a minute later however, his effort from outside the box didn’t test McAdams in the Arbroath goal.
The Red Lichties completed the turnaround on 57 minutes as Marshall turned Cheick Diabate on the edge of the area before seeing his shot saved by Steward however, Reilly was on hand to slot home the rebound.
The hosts extended their lead on 62 minutes when Ryan Dow picked out Marshall and the midfielder, who is currently on a season-long loan from Aberdeen, rolled the ball beyond Steward and into the net for his second of the afternoon.
PHOTO: Uche Ikpeazu is fouled by Aaron Muirhead
Saints made a triple change before play could resume as Jannik Wanner, Reghan Tumilty and Adama Sidibeh came on to replace Matty Foulds, Sven Sprangler and Jamie Gullan.
With 16 minutes remaining Ikpeazu did well to win Saints a free kick in an inviting position. It was taken by McPake however, his effort from 25 yards went wide of the mark.
Simo Valakari made another change shortly after as Fran Franczak came on to replace Liam Smith.
Saints continued to look for a way back into the game and on 82 minutes McPake did well to beat his man on the left before picking out Sidibeh in the box, but the Gambian sliced his effort wide.
PHOTO: Josh McPake and Scott Stewart
With 3 minutes of normal time remaining a foul by Arbroath substitute Harry Cochrane on McPake saw Saints awarded another promising free kick. This time it was taken by McAlear however, he couldn’t pick out a Saints player in the box as McAdams gathered the ball with the hosts comfortably seeing the game out to hand Saints their first league defeat of the season.
Arbroath: McAdams, Wilkie, Stewart, O’Brien, Muirhead (Kabongolo 73’), Gold (Cochrane 50’), Flynn, MacIntyre (Watson 90+2’), Dow, Marshall (Pettifer 90+2’), Reilly (Todorov 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Pettigrew (GK), Hickey-Fugaccia, Kenny, Enem
Booked: Flynn, Muirhead, Marshall
Scorers: Marshall (51’, 62’), Reilly (57’)
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Gullan (Sidibeh 64’), Foulds (Wanner 63’), Fotheringham (Ikpeazu 45’), Sprangler (Tumilty 63’), McPake, Smith (Franczak 79’), McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Thomson (GK), Svedberg, Baird, Forrester
Booked: Smith, Fotheringham
Scorer: McPake (5’)
Referee: Duncan Nicolson
Attendance: 2,788
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Jamie Gullan chips the ball over Scott Stewart into the path of Josh McPake
