Saints got 2026 off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Arbroath at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.
The only goal of the game came on 25 minutes when Adama Sidibeh showed excellent composure to slot home after capitalising on a short back pass from Victor Enem.
Simo Valakari’s side pushed to put the game beyond doubt in the second half and enjoyed sustained spells of pressure, but a well-organised Arbroath defence stood firm to deny Saints a second goal.
Saints return to action on Tuesday evening when they welcome Ross County to McDiarmid Park in the last 16 of the KDM Evolution Trophy, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Arbroath to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for their first game of 2026. There was one change to the Saints side which drew 0-0 at Ross County last weekend as Jack Baird dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Sam Stanton. Arbroath drew 1-1 at home to Airdrieonians last Saturday and co-managers David Gold and Colin Hamilton made four changes to their starting eleven. Aaron Muirhead, Scott Stewart, Craig Watson and Dapo Mebude came into the starting eleven to replace the suspended Jack Wilkie, whilst Ryan Flynn missed out due to injury. Brooklyn Kabongolo also dropped out after his loan deal came to an end after being recalled by Livingston earlier this week whilst Taylor Steven was also absent due to the terms of his loan deal from Saints.
It was a freezing but sunny afternoon in Perth as Jacob MacIntyre got the match underway for the Red Lichties.
The first real opportunity of the match came on 5 minutes as a slick passing move by Saints saw Josh McPake pick out Jason Holt in the box. The first-time pass from the Saints captain set up Jamie Gullan, who shifted the ball onto his right food before blasting his effort over the bar.
Arbroath got their first sight of goal on 15 minutes as Findlay Marshall saw his strike deflected behind for a corner by Reece McAlear.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan goes past Thomas O’Brien but shoots wide
On 17 minutes McPake twisted and turned in the box before unleashing a strike which was turned behind for a corner by Victor Enem. Then a minute later a brilliant through ball from McAlear played in Gullan but his shot was palmed away by Aidan McAdams in the Arbroath goal.
Arbroath were looking dangerous coming forward and on 22 minutes a good passing move by the Angus side saw MacIntyre slip the ball out wide to Marshall who burst down the right channel before sending over a cross which was met by Gavin Reilly however, Toby Steward made a good save to deny the forward.
The breakthrough came on 25 minutes as Saints took the lead. A short pass back by Enem let in Sidibeh and the Gambian burst forward, one-on-one with McAdams, before showing terrific composure to slot the ball under the Arbroath keeper and into the net.
Sidibeh came close to doubling Saints lead 2 minutes later as the Saints forward was played in by a excellent header from McAlear however, his strike was brilliantly blocked by Enem who looked to make amends for his error in the build-up to the Saints goal.
PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh wheels away after scoring
On 37 minutes McPake won Saints a free kick out wide on the left after he was fouled by Marshall. Gullan took the free kick and he floated a dangerous cross into the box which Cheick Diabate almost made a connection with before McAdams gathered the ball at the back post.
Saints came close to extending their lead in the first minute of added on time at the end of the first half as Sam Stanton did well to win the ball on the right touchline before bursting forward to the byeline and then cutting back to Holt who put his effort inches wide of McAdam’s left-hand post.
A good run from McPake 7 minutes into the second half saw the winger burst to the byeline before cutting the ball back to Liam Smith who was denied by a terrific save from McAdams who brilliantly turned the ball over for a corner.
PHOTO: Liam Smith’s cross is blocked by Aaron Muirhead
On the hour mark a cutback from McPake picked out McAlear on the edge of the area however, the Saints midfielder sliced his effort over the bar. Then a minute later Saints created another chance as Stanton played in Sidibeh with a brilliant ball in behind however, Craig Watson made a good block to deny the Saints forward. The chances for Saints continued to come and shortly after Stanton was involved in the thick of the action again, this time picking out Gullan however, he couldn’t test McAdams in the visiting goal.
Saints were well on top as they had Arbroath penned in their who half for large spells and on 62 minutes Simo Valakari’s side carved out another chance as Gullan picked out Smith, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Watson. The one-traffic continued as on 66 minutes Boyes got up well to meet a Gullan corner from the left however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.
PHOTO: Josh McPake and Victor Enem
Saints kept pushing for a second goal, and with 20 minutes remaining, Gullan delivered a dangerous corner from the left, only for McAdams to make a crucial save on the line.
The closing stages saw Saints continue to have much of the possession however, Arbroath showed how they had come into the match on an eight-game unbeaten run as they refused to be broken down. The visitors remained compact and well organised, limiting Saints to half chances and preventing Simo Valakari’s side from extending their lead despite the pressure.
PHOTO: Aidan McAdams saves from Josh McPake
Late on, Saints made their only change of the game with Victor Griffith replacing Jamie Gullan as Saints managed the closing stages well, seeing out the match to claim an important three points and get 2026 off to a positive start.
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Sidibeh, Gullan (Griffith 89’), Stanton, McPake, Smith, Forrester, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Svedberg, Foulds, Baird, Lloyd, Fotheringham, Mallan, Sprangler
Booked: Holt, Sidibeh
Scorer: Sidibeh (25’)
Arbroath: McAdams, O’Brien, Muirhead, Reilly (Beadling 64’), Stewart (Dow 76’), MacIntyre, Watson, Marshall, Cochrane, Enem, Mebude (Todorov 80’)
Unused Substitutes: Pettigrew (GK), Hamilton, Gold, Callachan, Pettifer
Booked: Reilly
Referee: Iain Snedden
Attendance: 4,462
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Adama Sidibeh celebrates his goal
