Match report

Despite dominating possession for long stretches, Saints had to settle for a point against Raith Rovers at McDiarmid Park this afternoon as their William Hill Championship match ended in a goalless draw.

Saints pushed forward in the first half as they had the visitors penned in their own half for large spells however, they couldn’t find a way past a resolute Rovers defence.

Stevie Mallan did have the ball in the net for Saints early in the second half however, it was ruled out for offside.

Saints controlled much of the second half, keeping Raith Rovers trapped in their own half, but frustration mounted as their commanding possession failed to produce any goals.

Both sides had chances in stoppage time to win the match as Jamie Gullan came agonizingly close, but his effort from a tight angle rattled the woodwork. At the opposite end, Raith Rovers substitute Callum Smith was inches from winning it for the Kirkcaldy side, but his glancing header went wide of the far post.

Saints are back in action on Tuesday evening as they head to The Vanloq Community Stadium to take on Hearts B in the KDM Evolution Trophy, kick off 7:45pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints returned to league action this afternoon as they welcomed Raith Rovers to McDiarmid Park. There were four changes to the Saints side which started the 2-1 defeat after extra time to Cove Rangers in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last weekend as Adam Forrester, Morgan Boyes, Jason Holt and Adama Sidibeh all came into the starting eleven. They replaced Jack Baird and Uche Ikpeazu, who both dropped to the bench, whilst Reghan Tumilty and Sven Sprangler both missed out completely. There were no changes to the Raith Rovers starting eleven as manager Dougie Imrie decided to go with the same side which defeated Alloa Athletic 1-0 at Stark’s Park in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last Saturday.

Dylan Easton got the match underway for the visitors however, it was Saints who created the first chance of the match in the first minute. Simo Valakari’s side were awarded a free kick out wide on the right following a foul on Adama Sidibeh by Paul Hanlon. Stevie Mallan took the free kick as he sent an inviting delivery into the Rovers box which Cheick Diabate got up to meet however, the defender couldn’t direct his header on target.

Saints came close to taking the lead on 7 minutes as a Mallan corner from the left was flicked on by Morgan Boyes before Rovers forward Jack Hamilton almost turned the ball into his own net as it trundled past the post and behind for another corner.

Saints continued to apply pressure to the visitors goal and a minute later a Boyes cross from the left was met by Diabate but his header from the centre of the box went over the bar.

Josh McPake twisted and turned just outside the box on 10 minutes before getting a shot away which didn’t test Josh Rae in the Rovers goal. Then 2 minutes later Liam Smith played in Mallan however, his whipped effort was saved by Rae. The loose ball then broke to McPake, but his follow-up effort hit the side netting.

PHOTO: Josh McPake weaves his way between Scott Brown and Paul Nsio

McPake was involved in the thick of the action again on 14 minutes as the Saints winger won a free kick on the edge of the box after he was fouled by Paul Nsio. The free kick was taken by Mallan as he saw his effort hit the Rovers wall as the Kirkcaldy side cleared their lines.

The one-way traffic towards the visitors goal continued and on 19 minutes Jamie Gullan picked out Sidibeh in the box whose powerful effort was pushed away by Rae. Then shortly after Saints were awarded another free kick out on the right wing after Gullan was fouled by Lewis Stevenson. Mallan took the free kick as his delivery into the box was met by Sidibeh who got up well to meet the cross, but his header went wide of the target.

Sidibeh and Mallan linked up again on 25 minutes as this time Sidibeh turned provider, playing in the midfielder whose low effort went inches past the far post.

A rare Raith Rovers attack on 28 minutes saw Paul McMullan put his volley wide of the mark.

Just after the half an hour mark Jason Holt won Saints a free kick after he was fouled by Nsio who was booked by referee Lloyd Wilson. The free kick was taken by Mallan, but his effort was straight at Rae who comfortably held the ball.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh shoots straight at Josh Rae

With 12 minutes of the first half remaining the visitors created a chance as a Josh Mullin corner from the right was met by Doherty however, his header was straight at Toby Steward.   

On 42 minutes a Mallan corner from the right broke to Adam Forrester who tried his luck from the edge of the box but he guided it wide of the target. Then on the stroke of half time Saints came close again as they were awarded a free kick following a foul on Sidibeh by Paul Hanlon who was booked for the foul. Mallan took the free kick as his delivery broke to McPake at the back post who slid in to guide his effort into the side netting.

Mallan had the ball in the net on 53 minutes however, the goal was ruled out as McPake was offside in the build-up.

PHOTO: Liam Smith is tackled by Josh Mullin

Tidy footwork from Gullan on 61 minutes saw the forward break into the box before unleashing an effort which was saved by Rae. Then 4 minutes later Gullan played a neat pass into Mallan in the box however, his curling effort went wide of the target.

Saints then made their first change of the game as Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Adama Sidibeh.

With 12 minutes remaining a long-range strike from Forrester was deflected behind for a corner by Hanlon. Saints then forced a series of corners however, they couldn’t make the set pieces count.

PHOTO: Adam Forrester's long-range shot is deflected over

Saints made another change on 82 minutes as Josh McPake made way for Uche Ikpeazu.

On 87 minutes Mallan played the ball to Forrester however, his effort from the edge of the area went over the bar.

Simo Valakari then rolled his dice again as he made another change with Jannik Wanner coming on to replace Stevie Mallan.

PHOTO: Uche Ikpeazu and Scott Brown

Saints continued to dominate possession as they looked to find a way past well-organised Rovers defence and in the first minute of stoppage time Ikpeazu saw his shot gathered by Rae. Then a minute later Saints came even closer to getting a late winner as Wanner played the ball to the feet of Gullan however, the forward saw his strike from a tight angle comeback off the post.

Raith almost snatched a late winner which would have been harsh on Saints as Stevenson’s cross from the left was met by Callum Smith however, the substitute glanced his header wide of the far post as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

PHOTO: Jamie Gullan reacts after hitting the post

Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Sidibeh (Fotheringham 77’), Gullan, Mallan (Wanner 88’), McPake (Ikpeazu 82’), Smith, Forrester, McAlear  

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Griffith, Svedberg, Stanton, Foulds, Baird

Booked: None

Raith Rovers: Rae, Hanlon, O’Connor, Hamilton (Smith 80’), Mullin (Wilson 80’), McMullan (Rowe 72’), Brown, Doherty, Easton (Montagu 68’), Stevenson, Nsio (Matthews 45’)

Unused Substitutes: Glavin (GK), Gentles

Booked: Nsio, Hanlon, Mullin, Doherty, Stevenson

Referee: Lloyd Wilson

Attendance: 4,113

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Adam Forrester advances forward