Saints suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Inverness CT at the Sarens PSG Stadium in the Premier Sports Cup this evening.
The decisive moment came after 16 minutes when Alfie Stewart found the net with an excellent long-range strike.
Saints tried to get back into the game, with Sam Stanton and Josh Fowler both denied by the woodwork, but they were unable to find a way back into the match.
Next up for Saints is their final Premier Sports Group F match as they welcome East Fife to McDiarmid Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints were back on the road this evening as they headed up the A9 to take on Inverness CT at the Sarens PSG Stadium for a Premier Sports Cup Group F match. Simo Valakari made seven changes to the team which started the 3-0 win at home to Greenock Morton on Saturday. Morgan Boyes, Jack Baird, Taylor Steven, Daniel Finlayson, Macaulay Tait, Jamie Gullan and Josh Fowler came in to replace Matty Foulds, Logan Chalmers, Reece McAlear and Sam Stanton who all dropped to the bench, whilst Zach Mitchell, Matty Todd both missed out completely and Ruari Paton was suspended. Inverness CT manager Scott Kellacher made three changes to the side which started their 2-0 win at Linlithgow Rose at the weekend as David Wotherspoon, Liam Sole and Alfie Bavidge came in to replace Ryan Duncan and Luis Longstaff, whilst Morgan Bates missed out altogether.
Josh Fowler got the match underway for Saints, and it was an even start to the match as neither keeper was seriously tested.
Then on 16 minutes the hosts took the lead. A short pass from Morgan Boyes was brilliantly intercepted by Alfie Stewart and the on-loan Aberdeen midfielder then spied that Toby Steward was out of his box and unleashed a shot from over 30 yards which flew over the Saints keeper and into the net.
Saints created an opportunity to get back into the match on 23 minutes however, Taylor Steven’s header from Kai Fotheringham’s cross was comfortably gathered by Ross Munro in the Caley Thistle goal.
PHOTO: Jack Baird fends off Alfie Bavidge
Inverness came close to extending their lead on 31 minutes as Stewart’s corner from the right clipped the crossbar.
Saints were awarded a free kick in a promising position on 33 minutes after Fowler was fouled by Remi Savage just outside the box. Jamie Gullan stepped up to take the free kick, and his effort clipped the Caley Thistle wall as the ball went behind for a corner. Steven took the corner from the right and his delivery into the box was met by Jack Baird at the back post however, his header went wide of the post.
With 6 minutes of the first half remaining a brilliant pass from Stewart played in Alfie Bavidge who got the better of Cheick Diabate however, Steward did well to narrow the angle as he made a good save to deny the on-loan Aberdeen forward. Bavidge got another chance shortly after as he again linked up with Stewart however, he couldn’t direct his effort on target.
The Caley Jags created another chance to double their lead on the stroke of half time as Liam Sole cut the ball back to Paul Allan, but his shot was straight at Steward who comfortably held the ball.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan and Noa Boutin
On 58 minutes Fowler picked out Gullan with his clipped ball into the box however, the strike from the forward was blocked by Danny Devine.
Saints then made a triple change as Reece McAlear, Sam Stanton and Logan Chalmers came on to replace Macaulay Tait, Taylor Steven and Kai Fotheringham.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler is tackled by Remi Savage
Inverness carved out another promising chance on 73 minutes, but Steward got down smartly to tip a Calum MacLeod effort around the post for a corner.
Simo Valakari brought on more fresh legs for the final 10 minutes as Liam Smith and Matty Foulds came on to replace Daniel Finlayson and Morgan Boyes.
Then shortly after Gullan sent over a good cross into the box which was cut out by Savage as Saints pressed for an equaliser.
PHOTO: Jason Holt and Miller Keir
The hosts were starting to sit more deeper as they invited pressure from Saints. On 82 minutes Jason Holt picked out Stanton with his pass and the midfielder unleashed a powerful left-footed shot on the turn which clipped the crossbar.
Saints created one final chance to take the match to penalties as Smith crossed the ball from the right into the box, picking out Fowler but his header came back off the crossbar as the hosts saw the game out to secure the 3 points.
PHOTO: A frustrated Josh Fowler reacts after missing his chance to snatch a late equaliser
Inverness CT: Munro, MacLeod, Boutin, Shinnie, Savage, Devine, Allan (Chalmers 85’), Wotherspoon (MacKinnon 65’), Sole (Duncan 72’), Stewart, Bavidge (Keir 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Ross (GK), Longstaff, Kargbo, Keogh, Leighton
Booked: Stewart
Scorer: Stewart (16’)
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes (Foulds 80’), Steven (Chalmers 64’), Holt, Fowler, Gullan, Baird, Fotheringham (Stanton 64’), Finlayson (Smith 80’), Tait (McAlear 64’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Hepburn (GK)
Booked: Boyes
Referee: Cameron Stirling
Attendance:
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Daniel Finlayson and David Wotherspoon
