Saints produced a stunning second half comeback, overturning a two-goal half-time deficit to defeat Ayr United 4–2 at Somerset Park this evening.
The Honest Men took early control as Mark McKenzie fired them ahead after 8 minutes, with former Saints player Jamie Murphy doubling the hosts’ advantage on 14 minutes after a swift counter-attack.
Saints though mounted a superb second half response, as Matty Foulds struck early after the restart before Josh McPake’s double turned the match on its head. Kai Fotheringham then wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time.
Saints are back in action on Tuesday as they head to The Vanloq Community Stadium for their rearranged KDM Evolution Trophy match against Hearts B, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints were on their travels this evening as they headed to Ayrshire to take on Ayr United at Somerset Park for a William Hill Championship match which was live on BBC Scotland. Simo Valakari decided to go with the same starting eleven which battled out a goalless draw at home to Raith Rovers last weekend. Ayr United defeated Peterhead 2-1 in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Tuesday evening and Scott Brown made four changes to the side which started at Somerset Park in midweek. Kevin Holt, Ben Dempsey, Jamie Murphy and Dylan Watret all came in to replace Shaun Want, Dom Thomas, Stuart Bannigan and Anton Dowds who all dropped to bench.
Jamie Murphy got the match underway for the hosts however, it was Saints who made a bright start to the match as they almost took the lead after 5 minutes. Adama Sidibeh did well to chase down a long ball and the Gambian produced a neat backheel to play the ball to Josh McPake. The winger sent an inviting delivery into the box which was met by Liam Smith however, the defender was denied by an excellent point blank save from Honest Men keeper Liam Russell.
Saints created another chance a minute later as Jamie Gullan played the ball to Stevie Mallan, but his strike was saved by Russell.
PHOTO: Liam Smith and Ben Dempsey
The hosts opened the scoring on 8 minutes as Dylan Watret nodded a ball into the path of Mark McKenzie, who rifled a fine finish inside the near post.
Ayr United struck again on 14 minutes, a rapid break allowed Ethan Walker to drive into the area and draw Toby Steward before he laid the ball off for former Saints player Jamie Murphy, who made no mistake to put the hosts 2–0 up.
Reece McAlear came close to pulling a goal back for Saints on 23 minutes as his volley skimmed the crossbar.
PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh holds off Kevin Holt
The hosts pushed forward again on 38 minutes as a cross from the right by Watret was met by McKenzie however, his header from the centre of the box was well held by Steward.
One minute was added on at the end of the first half and Saints would create one final chance before the break as a Mallan corner from the left was headed over by Cheick Diabate.
Saints made a double change at the break as Stevie Mallan and Liam Smith remained in the dressing room as they were replaced by Matty Foulds and Jack Baird.
Saints made a quick start to the second half as on 47 minutes they pulled a goal back. A pass from Gullan picked out Sidibeh on the right and the forward sent over a good delivery into the box which was met by McPake before Foulds turned the ball home from close range to make an instant impact.
PHOTO: Matty Foulds pulls a goal back for Saints
Saints now had their tails up and on 50 minutes McPake got a sight of goal as he dragged his effort wide. McPake was involved in the thick of the action again on 55 minutes as his cross from the byeline was met by Sidibeh however, he couldn’t find the target with his header.
Simo Valakari’s side continued to search for an equaliser and shortly after Morgan Boyes played a lovely through ball to Jason Holt and the Saints captain unleashed a shot from distance which didn’t trouble Russell.
Just before the hour mark Reece McAlear tried to pick out Sidibeh with a through ball however, Leon King was able to intercept the pass as he knocked it back to Russell who could only turn the ball behind for a corner with his feet.
PHOTO: Josh McPake turns Mark McKenzie
Saints then made a further change as Jason Holt was replaced by Sam Stanton.
Saints had Ayr United camped in their own half for large spells of the second half however, on 72 minutes the home side were appealing for a penalty as substitute Anton Dowds played in Marco Rus, who burst into the box before going down after clashing with Baird but referee David Dickinson was unmoved.
On 77 minutes Saints were deservedly back on level terms. Adam Forrester played a lovely weighted ball down the right to Sidibeh and the forward burst to the byeline before sending over a delightful cross which was fumbled by Russell and McPake reacted quickest to smash the ball high into the net.
With 10 minutes remaining Sidibeh saw his effort saved by Russell as Saints pushed for a winner. Simo Valakari then made another switch as Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Adam Forrester.
Saints completed the turnaround on 87 minutes as they took the lead. Morgan Boyes sent an inviting low ball across the face of the Ayr goal which was picked up by Sidibeh at the back post and the Gambian brilliantly cut the ball back to McPake who slotted home his second of the evening to spark wild celebrations on the Saints bench.
PHOTO: Josh McPake scores his second goal
5 minutes of additional time was added on at the end and in the second minute of stoppage time Saints ended the game as a contest as they made it 4-2. A quick break forward saw Gullan play the ball into Sidibeh who showed brilliant strength to hold off the challenge from the Ayr defence to slip the ball to Fotheringham, but his first attempt was blocked by McKenzie. The follow-up effort from Fotheringham was again blocked, this time by Kevin Holt however, it was third time lucky for the Saints attacking midfielder as he smashed the loose ball home to round off a stunning second half comeback.
Saints then made their final change of the game, with Victor Griffith replacing Josh McPake as they saw out the closing minutes to secure a vital away victory.
PHOTO: Kai Fotheringham and Reece McAlear celebrate at full time
Ayr United: Russell, McAllister, Holt, Dempsey, Murphy (McRoberts 90’), King, Walker, McKenzie, Rus (Hislop 83’), Watret (Dowds 66’), McMann
Unused Substitutes: Mitchell (GK), Want, Bannigan, Thomas, Brown, Simpson
Booked: Dowds
Scorers: McKenzie (8’), Murphy (14’)
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt (Stanton 65’), Sidibeh, Gullan, Mallan (Foulds 45’), McPake (Griffith 90+3’), Smith (Baird 45’), Forrester (Fotheringham 81’), McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Svedberg, Lloyd, Sprangler
Booked: Diabate, Forrester, Sidibeh, McPake
Scorers: Foulds (47’), McPake (77’, 88’), Fotheringham (90+2’)
Referee: David Dickinson
Attendance: 1,946 (258 Saints fans)
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Josh McPake celebrates at full time
