Match report

Saints defeated Raith Rovers 3-1 in the Premier Sports Cup this evening at McDiarmid Park thanks to goals from Jamie Gullan, Josh McPake and Makenzie Kirk.

Saints took the lead on 27 minutes as Gullan produced a brilliant touch to bring down a pass from Reece McAlear before slotting the ball beyond Josh Rae.

Simo Valakari’s side doubled their advantage on 51 minutes thanks to a close-range finish from McPake after some good work from Adama Sidibeh.

Raith got a lifeline 6 minutes later when substitute Jack Hamilton pulled a goal back with his first touch of the match however, Kirk made sure of the points on 80 minutes as he used his pace to burst into the box before slotting a low strike under Rae.

Tonight’s result leaves Saints top of Group F on 9 points and they play their final game of the group on Saturday as they welcome Elgin City to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Raith Rovers to McDiarmid Park this evening for a Premier Sports Cup Group F match. A last minute goal from Uche Ikpeazu saw Saints defeat Inverness CT 1-0 on Saturday to make it back-to-back wins in the cup and Simo Valakari made four changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s cup match. Fran Franczak, Taylor Steven, Reece McAlear and Stevie Mallan all came in to replace Reghan Tumilty, Sven Sprangler and Makenzie Kirk who all dropped to the bench, whilst Matty Foulds missed out completely. Raith Rovers lost 4-2 to East Kilbride last Tuesday evening and manager Barry Robson made one change to his starting eleven this evening as Lewis Stevenson came in to replace Josh Mullin who dropped to the bench.

Dylan Easton got the match underway for the visitors and it was an even opening to the match with neither keeper seriously tested.

On 14 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the left after Jamie Gullan was fouled by Jai Rowe. The free kick was taken by Stevie Mallan however, his delivery into the box was cleared by the Rovers defence.

2 minutes later the visitors were claiming for a penalty after Easton went down in the box under the challenge from Morgan Boyes however, referee Greg Soutar was unmoved as play continued. Raith Rovers got a great chance to take the lead on 19 minutes as a slip from Taylor Steven let Paul McMullan nip in to win the ball as the winger burst into the box before firing his effort straight at Toby Steward.

PHOTO: Fran Franczak and Lewis Stevenson

Then on 28 minutes Saints took the lead. Reece McAlear showed great vision as he played a lovely ball into the box and Jamie Gullan brilliantly pulled the ball down before slotting it beyond Josh Rae and into the net.

A good passing move by Saints on 41 minutes saw them work the ball to Mallan and he tried to pick out Adama Sidibeh with his pass into the box however, the Gambian was inches away from making a connection with the ball.

Then a minute later Raith got a sight of goal as Rowe picked out Easton with a pass from the right and the former Saints player then laid the ball off to McMullan however, his strike from the edge of the box was blocked by the Saints defence.

PHOTO: Jamie Gullan controls the ball before scoring

Saints came close to doubling their lead 14 seconds into the second half as Gullan played in Sidibeh but the forward dragged his effort wide of the far post. However, Saints would get their second of the evening on 51 minutes as Sidibeh played in McPake and the winger slotted a composed close-range finish beyond Rae.

Raith though pulled a goal back on 57 minutes as substitute Jack Hamilton made an instant impact slotting home a Rowe cross.

Saints then made a change as Stevie Mallan made way for Makenzie Kirk.

Raith now sensed they could get an equaliser and just after the hour mark Steward made a good save to deny Raith substitute Kai Montagu. The loose ball then broke to Rowe however, his effort was blocked by Morgan Boyes.

Saints made further changes as Sven Sprangler, Scott Bright and Jack Baird came on to replace Jamie Gullan, Josh McPake and Taylor Steven.

Saints made sure of the points with 10 minutes remaining as they restored their two-goal advantage. Sidibeh was again the architect as his ball forward was brilliantly won by Kirk who headed it down and burst into the box before slotting his shot under the advancing Rae.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk scores to make it 3-1

That took the sting out of the game and Saints came close to a fourth on 84 minutes. Fran Franczak played a lovely ball into the box which was missed by both Kirk and Jason Holt who were inches away from connecting before Raith scrambled the ball away.

Saints controlled the closing stages as they comfortably saw the game out to secure the 3 points which leaves them top of Group F on 9 points.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk celebrates with Taylor Steven at full time

Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Sidibeh, Gullan (Sprangler 69’), Steven (Baird 67’), Mallan (Kirk 58’), McPake (Bright 67’), McAlear, Franczak  

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Svedberg, Stanton, Ikpeazu

Booked: Gullan, Boyes

Scorers: Gullan (27’), McPake (51’), Kirk (80’)

Raith Rovers: Rae, Rowe (Chin 77’), Hanlon, Fordyce, Matthews (Mullin 78’), Vaughan (Hamilton 56’), McMullan, Brown, Doherty, Easton (Montagu 56’), Stevenson (Gibson 78’)

Unused Substitutes: Glavin (GK), Byrne, Hannah, Raeside

Booked: Brown, Hamilton

Scorer: Hamilton (57’)

Referee: Greg Soutar

Attendance: 3,358

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Jamie Gullan celebrates his goal