Four goals in 34 minutes saw Saints defeat Greenock Morton 4-0 at Cappielow Park this afternoon.
Cheick Diabate opened the scoring for Saints after 5 minutes, heading home a Jamie Gullan corner.
Gullan then got on the scoresheet, doubling Saints lead on 12 minutes with a low left footed strike.
Josh McPake produced a trademark finish to make it 3-0 on 26 minutes before Gullan got his second and Saints fourth of the afternoon on 34 minutes as he slotted home a right-footed effort from the edge of the area.
Despite the second half lacking any further goals Saints showed excellent game management. Simo Valakari’s side executed their game plan well, controlling play and denying Morton any momentum for getting back into the match as they calmly saw the game out.
Next up for Saints is a home game against Airdrieonians next Saturday, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
For the second consecutive weekend Saints were on the road today as they headed west to Inverclyde to take on Greenock Morton at Cappielow Park. Saints undefeated start to their William Hill Championship season came to an end last weekend as they lost 3-1 at Arbroath and Simo Valakari made three changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s league match. Matty Foulds, Sven Sprangler and Kai Fotheringham dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Jack Baird, Jonathan Svedberg and Adama Sidibeh. Greenock Morton manager Dougie Imrie made seven changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Ayr United last Saturday as Cammy Ballantyne, Kris Moore, Michael Garrity, Kerr Robertson, Grant Gillespie, Nathan Shaw and Arron Lyall came in to replace Aaron Comrie, Zak Delaney, Iain Wilson, Cameron Blues, Owen Moffat and Tomi Adeloye all dropped to the bench, whilst Jackson Longridge missed out completely.
Jamie Gullan got the match underway for the visitors however, it was Morton who created the first chance of the match after 3 minutes. The Cappielow side worked the ball out to the left before Nathan Shaw cut inside and saw his cross into the Saints box cut out for a corner by Reece McAlear.
Saints got a corner of their own a minute later as Adama Sidibeh’s cross was knocked behind by Cammy Ballantyne. Gullan took the corner from the right however, his delivery into the box was eventually cleared by Cammy MacPherson. The clearance from the former Saints midfielder was brilliantly cut out by Jonathan Svedberg and the midfielder played a pass forward towards the Morton box. Saints then worked the ball out to Josh McPake on the left, but his strike was deflected behind for a corner by Kris Moore. Gullan again took the corner from the right and his floated ball into the box was met by Cheick Diabate who rose up to plant a fine header into the top corner of the net to give Saints the lead after 5 minutes.
Saints created a good chance to double their lead on 9 minutes as a break down the left saw McPake play the ball to Gullan who dragged his effort wide of the far post.
PHOTO: Cheick Diabate scores for Saints
The second goal would arrive 3 minutes later as good pressing from Sidibeh saw the Gambian force MacPherson into a mistake as McAlear won possession in the centre circle. McAlear then produced a brilliant pass through the middle to play in Gullan and the forward sent a wonderful low left-footed finish beyond James Storer.
Saints further extended their lead on 26 minutes as more good play by Simo Valakari’s side saw McAlear play the ball to McPake who burst down the left channel before cutting inside and despatched a trademark finish beyond Storer.
Saints continued to cause Morton all sorts of problems and 3 minutes later McPake’s cross field pass was gathered by Gullan who then fed it to Sidibeh down the right. The Gambian advanced forward before trying to pick out Svedberg in the middle but Dylan Corr was alert to the danger as he turned the ball behind for a corner. Gullan again took the corner from the right, but his delivery was turned behind for another corner. This time Gullan’s delivery was met by Morgan Boyes and the header from the former Morton defender was well saved by Storer.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan scores to make it 2-0
Morton created a chance on 33 minutes to pull a goal back as Ballantyne’s low ball from the right was met by Eamonn Brophy however, his close-range effort was comfortably gathered by Toby Steward.
Saints then quickly broke up field and made it 4-0 a minute later. Gullan gathered the ball from Svedberg and the forward did well to create space for himself before despatching a bending right-footed strike into the corner of the net.
PHOTO: Josh McPake celebrates his goal
The attacks from Saints were relentless and with 9 minutes of the first half remaining McPake weaved his way into the Morton box from the right, past a couple of Ton players before unleashing a strike which Storer turned behind for another corner. Saints then forced a couple of corners and from the second one Gullan’s delivery was met by Sidibeh, but his header sailed over the bar.
Saints were looking dangerous every time they came forward and on 42 minutes a Gullan corner, this time from the left, was almost met by Sidibeh however, Storer came out and brilliantly punched the ball clear.
Just before half time Diabate sliced the ball over his own bar to cut out Kerr Robertson’s cross for a corner. Shaw took the corner from the right and his cross was met at the near post by Ballantyne who couldn’t direct his header on target.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan celebrates his second goal
A long throw into the Ton box by Boyes on 52 minutes saw the ball ricochet to McAlear however, the midfielder couldn’t make a clean connection as his effort lacked power as Storer comfortably gathered.
Then a minute later Morton got a sight of goal as Garrity created space for himself just outside the box before curling his strike wide of the target.
Determined play by McPake on 55 minutes created a chance for Sidibeh however, his shot was saved at the near post by Storer. Then 3 minutes later Gullan burst forward into space before trying to pick out Sidibeh with his delivery into the box, but the Gambian couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as Storer snuffed out the danger.
PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh and Dylan Corr
Saints made a double change on 63 minutes as Kai Fotheringham and Sven Sprangler came on to replace Josh McPake and Jamie Gullan.
With 15 minutes remaining a deep cross from the left by Garrity found Ballantyne in space on the right and the defender tried to pick out Cameron Blues in the box however, the Morton substitute couldn’t make a connection with the delivery as Boyes turned the cross behind for a corner.
Saints then made another double change as Liam Smith and Adama Sidibeh were replaced by Adam Forrester and Uche Ikpeazu.
Saints were awarded a free kick in a promising position after Svedberg was fouled by Garrity on 80 minutes. McAlear took the free kick and his floated ball into the box was met by Boyes however, the header from the defender drifted past the post.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari encourages his players
Simo Valakari made another change shortly after as Jonathan Svedberg made way for Sam Stanton.
Although the second half was lacking goals Saints were putting in a strong performance and still created numerous chances to extend their lead. On 87 minutes the Perth side were awarded another free kick, this time for a handball by Kris Moore. McAlear again took the free kick however, his right footed effort was straight at Storer.
Saints kept up the pressure and shortly after Boyes sent over an inviting ball into the box as Sprangler went for the spectacular however, his overhead kick couldn’t find the target.
As the match entered added on time Boyes did well to move the ball onto his right foot before floating another dangerous delivery into the Morton box which was cleared only as far as Fotheringham, but he drilled his effort wide of the mark as Saints comfortably saw the game out.
Greenock Morton: Storer, Ballantyne, Corr, Moore, Brophy (Adeloye 82’), MacPherson, Garrity, Robertson (Blues 45’), Gillespie (Delaney 73’), Shaw (Moffat 73’), Lyall (Wilson 45’)
Unused Substitutes: Murdoch (GK), Hart, McKay, Comrie
Booked: Corr, Moore
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Svedberg (Stanton 82’), Sidibeh (Ikpeazu 76’), Gullan (Fotheringham 63’), Baird, McPake (Sprangler 63’), Smith (Forrester 76’), McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Thomson (GK), Tumilty, Foulds, Wanner
Booked: None
Scorers: Diabate (5’), Gullan (12’, 34’), McPake (26’)
Referee: Euan Anderson
Attendance: 2,068
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Jamie Gullan celebrates his first goal
