Saints defeated Hearts B 1-0 in the KDM Evolution Trophy at The Vanloq Community Stadium this evening.
The decisive moment came 14 minutes from time when Jamie Gullan fired a low strike beyond Lyndon Tas, securing Saints a place in the last 16 against Ross County next month.
Saints return to action on Saturday as they welcome Greenock Morton to McDiarmid Park in the William Hill Championship, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints headed to the capital this evening for their rearranged KDM Evolution Trophy match against Hearts B at The Vanloq Community Stadium after it had been postponed last Tuesday due to the weather. Simo Valakari rung the changes following Friday’s 4-2 win at Ayr United as he made nine changes to his starting eleven. Matty Foulds, Jack Baird, Reghan Tumilty, Victor Griffith, Sven Sprangler, Fran Franczak, Sam Stanton, Jonathan Svedberg and Jannik Wanner came in to replace Cheick Diabate, Liam Smith, Jason Holt, Josh McPake, Adama Sidibeh, Stevie Mallan and Jamie Gullan who all dropped to the bench, whilst Adam Forrester and Reece McAlear missed out completely. Hearts B lost 5-1 at Caledonian Braves on Saturday in the Lowland League and head coach Angus Beith made eight changes to his starting line-up for this evening’s cup tie. Lucas Smith, Gregor Crookston, Owen Muirhead, Aiden Haddow, Callen Robb and Liam Walker dropped to the bench, whilst Euan Glasgow and Joshua Radcliffe missed out completely. They were replaced by Henry James, Kai Smutek, Matthew Gilles, Dom Plank, Gus Stevenson, Tommy North, Keir McMeekin and Bobby McLuckie.
Gus Stevenson got the match underway for the hosts, but it was Saints who would create the first chance of the match after 3 minutes as Jonathan Svedberg got on the end of a Reghan Tumilty cutback however, he blazed his effort over the bar.
Saints were awarded a free kick on 8 minutes after Tumilty was fouled by Henry James. Svedberg took the free kick and his delivery into the box was met by Tumilty but the right back couldn’t test Lyndon Tas in the home goal. Simo Valakari’s side created another chance on 15 minutes as Jannik Wanner headed the ball down to Fran Franczak who unleashed an effort at goal which Tas did well to turn behind for a corner.
PHOTO: Sven Sprangler and Keir McMeekin
Hearts started to come into the match as the first half progressed and on 29 minutes they were awarded a free kick in an inviting position after Sven Sprangler had fouled Keir McMeekin, but the hosts couldn’t take advantage as Saints comfortably cleared their lines. Then shortly after Jack Baird deflected a Bobby McLuckie strike behind for a corner. James took the corner from the left and his delivery into the Saints box was headed clear by Sam Stanton.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Svedberg got another sight of goal but again he couldn’t test Tas as his shot went narrowly wide of the post.
Hearts looked to catch Saints on the break on 37 minutes as James played McLuckie through. The forward burst clear and fired wide of the target however, play was pulled back with McLuckie ruled offside.
PHOTO: Jonathan Svedberg fires wide of the target
Saints made a change before the second half got underway as Louis Lloyd came on to replace Jannik Wanner.
Saints made a quick start to the second half as on 50 minutes Franczak saw his effort from six yards go over the bar. Then shortly after Franczak turned provider as he picked out Stanton on the edge of the box however, the midfielder couldn’t test Tas in the home goal.
PHOTO: Sven Sprangler and Gus Stevenson
Just before the hour mark, Saints created another chance to break the deadlock as Franczak saw his effort saved by Tas, and the loose ball broke kindly for Lloyd however, his follow-up flew over the bar.
Saints then made further changes as Jamie Gullan and Adama Sidibeh replaced Jonathan Svedberg and Reghan Tumilty.
That saw Saints go up a gear as they searched for the breakthrough however, Hearts reminded Saints that they were still a threat as on 67 minutes Toby Steward saved a left footed effort from McMeekin.
PHOTO: Fran Franczak fires over the bar
On 74 minutes Matty Foulds delivered a cross from the left into the box that Franczak connected with, but his effort was only partially cleared, falling to Lloyd, who headed over from close range.
Saints pressure paid off 2 minutes later as they took the lead. Sidibeh broke down the right channel and his delivery into the Hearts box was met by Franczak who again saw his effort saved by Tas but Gullan was on hand to follow-up and slot the loose ball into the far corner of the net with a fine low strike.
Now they had the goal advantage Saints were able to stretch the game as the hosts tried to find a way back into the match. With 10 minutes remaining Lloyd went close to adding a second as his low effort went wide of the far post.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan celebrates his goal
As the match neared its conclusion Hearts continued to push forward and in the last minute of normal time Baird produced a brilliant sliding tackle to block a McLuckie strike as Saints saw the game out to progress to the last 16 of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
Hearts B: Tas, James, Osborne, Smutek, Gillies, Wilson (Robb 89’), McLuckie, Stevenson (Muirhead 66’), McMeekin (Walker 80’), Plank, North (Dow 89’),
Unused Substitutes: McDonald (GK), Crookston, Donkor, Haddow, Smith
Booked: None
Saints: Steward, Foulds, Boyes, Baird, Tumilty (Sidibeh 65’), Griffith, Spranlger, Franczak, Stanton, Svedberg (Gullan 65’), Wanner (Loyd 45’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Diabate, Holt, Mallan, McPake, Smith
Booked: None
Scorer: Gullan (76’)
Referee: Josh Hay
Attendance:
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Jamie Gullan scores the only goal of the game
