Match report

A late goal from Josh McPake saw Saints defeat Queen’s Park 2-1 at The City Stadium this afternoon.

Saints took the lead against the run of play on 37 minutes when Kai Fotheringham saw his strike go in off the post.

The Spiders battled back and went in at half time level thanks to a goal from in-form forward Josh Fowler.

However, Saints were much improved in the second half and they got the winner on 89 minutes when McPake squeezed the ball home from a tight angle for his eighth goal of the season.  

Next up for Saints is a home game against Ayr United next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were back on the road today as they headed to Glasgow’s southside to take on Queen’s Park at The City Stadium. There was one change to the Saints starting eleven which won 2-1 at Airdrieonians on Tuesday evening as Morgan Boyes came in to replace the suspended Cheick Diabate who was sent off at full time at the Albert Bartlett Stadium. Queen’s Park defeated Ross County 2-1 in Dingwall last weekend and Head Coach Sean Crighton also made one change to his starting eleven as he brought in Seb Drozd to replace Henry Fieldson, who dropped to the bench.  

Before the match got underway there was a minutes’ applause for legendary Queen’s Park player and head coach Eddie Hunter who sadly passed away earlier this month.

Josh Fowler got the match underway for the hosts and the forward got the first chance of the match for the Spiders as his effort in the first minute was saved by Toby Steward after Carlo Pignatiello had put a dangerous ball into the box.

Then a minute later Saints created a chance of their own when Josh McPake sent a deep cross into the box from the left and it was met by Kai Fotheringham who got up well to direct a powerful header goalwards but Calum Ferrie produced a smart save to deny the midfielder.

On 12 minutes Steward was called into action again as Fowler unleashed a curling effort at goal after being played in by Aidan Connolly however, his effort was straight at Steward who comfortably gathered the ball.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh holds off Seb Drozd

Queen’s Park were playing a high pressing game which was causing problems for Saints and on 24 minutes Tyrece McDonnell charged down Steward and the ball battered off him and looped up and hit the bar before going over.

Saints soaked up the pressure from the hosts and on 37 minutes they took the lead against the run of play. A good passing move by Saints saw the ball worked to Jamie Gullan and he played in the unmarked Fotheringham whose a clinical shot which went in off the post.

Good pressing by Sidibeh on 42 minutes saw then Gambian win Saints a corner. Reece McAlear took the corner from the right and Ferrie hesitated as he looked to come and claim the cross. The ball then fell nicely to Gullan but Ferrie produced a good reaction save to palm away the midfielder’s close range header.

However, with 2 minutes of the first half remaining the Spiders levelled the match. McAlear was caught on the ball as Fowler gathered it and burst past Jack Baird before slotting a low strike into the far corner of the net.

PHOTO: Kai Fotheringham celebrates his goal

Saints started the second half brightly and on 54 minutes a good move down the left saw McPake play in Matty Foulds and the left-back picked out Gullan at the near post however, his effort was saved by Ferrie.

The Spiders though started to come back into the game and on 62 minutes Steward did well to narrow the angle as he forced McDonnell to shoot wide of the target.

Saints then made their first change of the game as Uche Ikpeazu came on to replace Adam Sidibeh.

Queen’s Park created a great chance to take the lead on 66 minutes as Seb Drozd headed the ball down to Fowler however, he blazed his effort over the bar.

PHOTO: Uche Ikpeazu is tackled by Henry Fieldson

Saints then made further changes as Adam Forrester and Kai Fotheringham made way for Reghan Tumilty and Sam Stanton.

As the second half progressed Saints pushed forward and on 83 minutes Stanton played in Ikpeazu however, Ferrie made a great save to turn the ball behind for a corner. McAlear took the corner from the left and his delivery was met by Ikpeazu however, the forward sent his header over the bar.

Saints continued to apply pressure to the home goal, and they eventually found the breakthrough on 89 minutes as they took the lead. Great play by McPake saw the winger get in behind the Spiders defence before slotting home his eighth goal of the season from a tight angle.

PHOTO: Josh McPake scores the winning goal

That would prove to be McPake’s last involvement in the match as he was then replaced by Sven Sprangler.

The Spiders pushed for an equaliser in stoppage time however, the Saints defence held firm as they saw the game out to secure a vital 3 points on the road.

PHOTO: Simo Valakari celebrates with the fans

Queen’s Park: Ferrie, Murray, Fox, Longridge, MacGregor (Scott 90+1’), Connolly (Sowa 86’), Pignatiello, Fowler, McDonnell (Fieldson 71’), Shiels, Drozd (Savoury 86’)

Unused Substitutes: Wills (GK), Waugh, McGinlay, McLean, Friel

Booked: MacGregor, Drozd

Scorer: Fowler (43’)

Saints: Steward, Boyes, Holt, Sidibeh (Ikpeazu 63’), Gullan, Foulds, Baird, Fotheringham (Stanton 78’), McPake (Sprangler 90’), Forrester (Tumilty 78’), McAlear  

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Griffith, Svedberg, Wanner, Franczak

Booked: McAlear, Boyes, McPake

Scorers: Fotheringham (37’), McPake (89’)

Referee: Peter Stuart    

Attendance: 893

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Josh McPake celebrates his goal