Saints clinched the William Hill Championship title this evening as they defeated Dunfermline Athletic 2-0 at the KDM Group East End Park.
Saints created the better of the first half chances with Josh McPake coming closest to opening the scoring on 13 minutes as his effort came back off the crossbar.
The opening goal of the game came on 56 minutes courtesy of a deflected Reece McAlear strike. Saints then sealed the points and the league title on 73 minutes thanks to a superb header from Rurai Paton.
At full time there was brilliant scenes on the pitch as the Saints players and staff united to celebrate a championship-winning season with the large travelling support.
Attention now turns to Friday’s title party at McDiarmid Park as Saints welcome Raith Rovers, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints headed to Fife this evening to take on Dunfermline Athletic at the KDM Group East End Park knowing a win would secure the William Hill Championship title. This evening’s match was live on BBC Scotland and Simo Valakari made one enforced change to the side which defeated Airdrieonians 4-0 at McDiarmid Park ten days ago; Matty Foulds came in to replace Jack Baird who was suspended after receiving an immediate two-match suspension following an SFA hearing last Thursday. Dunfermline Athletic progressed to the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final on Saturday as they defeated Falkirk 4-2 on penalties after the match had finished goalless after extra time. Neil Lennon made five changes to the side which started at Barclays Hampden as Chris Hamilton, Shea Kearney, John Tod, Josh Cooper and Tashan Oakley-Boothe came in to replace Alfons Amade, Charlie Gilmour and Chris Kane who all dropped to the bench, whilst Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Robbie Fraser missed out completely.
Dunfermline captain Chris Hamilton got the match for the hosts and they created the first chance of the match on 8 minutes. A through ball from Pars keeper Aston Oxborough played in Callum Morrison who burst forward towards the box but Liam Smith was able to get back and nip in to win the ball and snuff out the danger.
Saints created their first chance of the match on 13 minutes as Jamie Gullan got in behind Shea Kearney down the left before picking out Josh McPake whose effort crashed off the crossbar. The ball then broke to Morgan Boyes however, his follow-up effort hit Sam Stanton before going behind for a goal kick.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton tackles Kieran Ngwenya
Saints continued to cause the Pars problems down the left and on 17 minutes McPake tried to pick out Gullan with a cross however, he couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as it broke to Smith but his strike was deflected behind for a corner by John Tod. Then 2 minutes later McPake brilliantly pick-pocketed the ball from Nurudeen Abdulai before bursting into the box and the winger then tried to square the ball to Ruari Paton however, John Tod was there again to turn the ball behind for another corner.
The league leaders created another chance on 19 minutes as on the swivel Stanton unleashed an audacious effort from outside the area which went over the bar.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Paton played the ball to Reece McAlear but he dragged his effort well wide of the mark. Then on 42 minutes a Boyes free kick, which was awarded for a foul on Jason Holt by Josh Cooper, was knocked down by Paton to Gullan but his low effort was smothered by Oxborough.
PHOTO: Josh McPake takes on Kieran Ngwenya
Dunfermline created a chance to break the deadlock 2 minutes later as Cooper played in Andrew Tod who took a touch before firing over the bar.
Saints made a positive start to the second half as in the first minute a good passing move saw Gullan play in McPake but his effort was cut out by Abdulai. The loose ball was then gathered by Gullan but he couldn’t find the target with his effort.
On 52 minutes Paton won Saints a free kick after he was fouled by Charlie Gilmour, who was booked by referee Don Robertson. McAlear took the free kick and his delivery into the box was turned behind for a corner by Abdulai
The breakthrough finally came on 56 minutes as Saints took the lead. McPake’s ball into the danger area was missed by Stanton however, Paton played the loose ball back to McAlear who unleashed a shot from 22 yards which took a deflection off Gilmour to take the ball beyond Oxborough.
PHOTO: Reece McAlear celebrates his goal
Dunfermline mounted a brief spell of pressure as they looked to work their way back into the game, but the Saints defence stood firm and absorbed everything thrown at them. Simo Valakari’s side soon reasserted control, and on 69 minutes Smith sent an effort over the bar from a tight angle.
Saints made their first change of the game shortly after as Taylor Steven was introduced into the action, replacing Jamie Gullan.
Saints sealed the points on 72 minutes as they doubled their lead. Steven played the ball back to Smith and the right-back sent over a fine delivery into the box as Paton got up well to plant a superb header beyond Oxborough to spark wild celebrations amongst the Saints fans in the stand behind the goal.
PHOTO: Ruari Parton makes it 2-0
PHOTO: Ruari Paton celebrates his goal
Saints were controlling possession and with 15 minutes remaining McPake got a sight of goal however, he couldn’t test Oxborough with his effort.
Former Saints striker Chris Kane got a chance to half the deficit on 83 minutes however, his header from a Rory Macleod cross didn’t trouble Toby Steward.
3 minutes were added on at the end as Saints made a couple of more changes with Kai Fotheringham replacing Sam Stanton and Adam Forrester replacing Liam Smith. In-between those changes Matty Foulds played in McPake but his attempt was straight at Oxborough who comfortably gathered.
Saints finished the job in style, and at the final whistle, the pitch became a sea of celebration. Players and staff came together to mark a title-winning campaign, sealing their return to Scotland’s top flight at the first attempt having been top of the league since matchday one – a fantastic accomplishment.
PHOTO: Saints players celebrate as Saints are promoted
PHOTO: Simo Valakari celebrates with the fans at full time
PHOTO: Owner Adam Webb celebrates Saints winning the William Hill Championship title
Dunfermline Athletic: Oxborough, Ngwenya, Hamilton (Amade 54’), Todd (Fyfe 75’), Kearney, Abdulai, A. Tod, J. Tod, Cooper (Kane 54’), Oakley-Boothe (Gilmour 31’), Morrison (MacLeod 75’)
Unused Substitutes: Terrell (GK), Benedictus, Bray, McLeod
Booked: Ngwenya, Gilmour
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Gullan (Steven 71’), Stanton (Fotheringham 90+1’), Foulds, Paton, McPake, Smith (Forrester 90+3’), McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Svedberg, Fowler, Mallan, Agyeman
Booked: Foulds
Scorers: McAlear (56’), Paton (73’)
Referee: Don Robertson
Attendance: 7,691 (2,654 Saints fans)
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Saints players celebrate securing promotion to the William Hill Premiership
