Match report

Saints came from behind to defeat East Kilbride 3-1 in their first Premier Sports Cup Group F match this afternoon.

The hosts took the lead on 7 minutes when former Saints player John Robertson curled a left-footed free kick into the top corner of the net.

Simo Valakari made changes at half time as Cheick Diabate, Fran Franczak and Makenzie Kirk were all introduced into the action and Saints were soon back on level terms thanks to a stunning Jamie Gullan free kick.

Adama Sidibeh put Saints ahead on the hour mark after a quick break as he sent a composed finish beyond East Kilbride keeper Freddie Owens. Makenzie Kirk then wrapped on the points with 9 minutes remaining as he slotted the ball beyond Owens after being setup by Gullan.

Saints are back in action on Tuesday evening as they welcome Dundee United to McDiarmid Park for their final pre-season friendly, kick off 7:30pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints got their Premier Sports Cup Campaign underway this afternoon as they visited the Ross Commercial Financial Stadium to take on East Kilbride. There were three changes to the side which started the 1-0 friendly defeat to Falkirk on Tuesday evening as Jason Holt, Jamie Gullan and Josh McPake came in to replace Sam Stanton and Fran Franczak, who both dropped to the bench, whilst Jackson Mylchreest missed out completely.

It was a scorching afternoon in South Lanarkshire as Ousman See got the match underway for the hosts.

Saints started the match on the front foot pressing the East Kilbride defence however, they couldn’t create an early chance to test Freddie Owens in the home goal.

Then on 7 minutes East Kilbride took the lead. Former Saints player John Robertson was fouled by Matty Foulds as the hosts were awarded a free kick in an inviting position. Robertson took the free kick himself and he curled a fine effort over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

Saints looked for a quick response as on 10 minutes Sidibeh burst into the East Kilbride box however, his effort was straight at Owens. Then a minute later Robertson won another free kick in a promising position as he was fouled by Jamie Gullan. Robertson again took the free kick however, this time he put his effort wide of the target.

PHOTO: Jamie Gullan and Freddie Owens

On 13 minutes Josh McPake won Saints a free kick after he was fouled by Luke Main. Jason Holt took the free kick quickly as Gullan was played in down the left. The forward then sent over an inviting ball into the East Kilbride box however, no one in a Saints top could get on the end of it as East Kilbride cleared their lines.

Saints continued to press for an equaliser as on 18 minutes Sidibeh saw his effort saved by Owens. Then a minute later the Gambian got another sight of goal however, this time he fired his effort high over the bar.

With the game being played in scorching temperatures referee Daniel Graves halted play on 25 minutes for a water break.

The pressure from Saints continued after the restart and on 27 minutes the Saints fans were screaming for a free kick after Gullan was fouled by Sean Fagan however, Daniel Graves played the advantage as Jonathan Svedberg burst towards the edge of the box before seeing his strike saved by Owens. Then a minute later McPake picked out Foulds on the edge of the area however, the left-back saw his effort cleared off the line by Magnus MacKenzie.

PHOTO: Reghan Tumilty and Keir Foster

With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Sidibeh played in Gullan however, his effort was deflected behind for a corner by David Ferguson. Then a minute later a deep cross from the right picked out Jack Baird however, the defender saw his effort saved by Owens as Svedberg put his follow-up effort wide.

Saints came close again in first half stoppage time as Gullan saw his effort turned behind for a corner by Fagan. Svedberg took the corner from the left as he picked out Morgan Boyes at the near post however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.

Simo Valakari rung the changes at the break as Cheick Diabate, Fran Franczak and Makenzie Kirk came on to replace Jack Baird, Reghan Tumilty and Jonathan Svedberg.

Saints created the first chance of the second half on 47 minutes as McPake saw his effort blocked by East Kilbride substitute Erik Šuľa. The loose ball then broke to Holt however, the Saints captain put his effort wide of the target.

On 50 minutes McPake burst forward and into the East Kilbride box before cutting the ball back to Sidibeh who couldn’t test Owens with his effort.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh breaks forward

Then a minute later Saints were awarded a free kick after Gullan was fouled by Šuľa. The forward took the free kick himself and he curled a fine curling effort into the top corner of the net to level the match.

Saints then completed the turn around on the hour mark as Sidibeh did well to turn Šuľa before bursting forward, one-on-one with Owens, and the Gambian sent a composed finish beyond the East Kilbride keeper to give Saints the lead.

On 67 minutes Foulds’ cross from the left fell nicely to Gullan however, his effort was turned behind for a corner by Šuľa.

Saints then made another switch as Uche Ikpeazu came on to replace Adama Sidibeh.

Saints continued to create chances and a Gullan corner from the right on 69 minutes was met by Boyes who directed his header goalwards before seeing it cleared off the line by Lewis Spence.

There was another water break a minute later before Saints made another change as Taylor Steven came on to replace Josh McPake.

PHOTO: Mackenzie Kirk celebrates his goal

Saints wrapped up the 3 points on 81 minutes as Gullan gathered a slack ball by East Kilbride before picking out Kirk, who took a touch before slotting a neat left-footed finish beyond Owens.

Saints had to play the last 3 minutes of normal time with ten men after Gullan had to go off after picking up a knock however, East Kilbride rarely troubled Saints in the closing minutes. Simo Valakari’s side almost got a fourth deep into stoppage time when Steven picked out Kirk whose shot was blocked by MacKenzie as Saints got their Premier Sports campaign off to a winning start.

PHOTO: The travelling Saints support

East Kilbride: Owens, Ferguson, MacKenzie, Fagan (Šuľa 45’), Leitch, Baldé, Robertson, Foster (Healy 61’), Main, Spence, See

Unused Substitutes: Hemfrey (GK), Niang, Mimnaugh, Lyon

Booked: Fagan, Main

Scorer: Robertson (7’)

Saints: Steward, Tumilty (Franczak 45’), Boyes, Holt, Svedberg (Kirk 45’), Sidibeh (Ikpeazu 68’), Gullan, Foulds, Baird (Diabate 45’), Sprangler, McPake (Steven 76’)

Unused Substitutes: Hepburn (GK), Griffith, Stanton, Bright

Booked: Holt

Scorers: Gullan (52’), Sidibeh (60’), Kirk (81’)

Referee: Daniel Graves

Attendance: TBC

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Josh McPake has a shot at goal