First half goals from Kai Fotheringham and Ruari Paton gave Saints a winning start to their Premier Sports Cup campaign as they secured a 2-0 victory over Linlithgow Rose this evening.
Saints took the lead on 8 minutes. Ruari Paton’s initial effort was well saved by Cammy Binnie, but Kai Fotheringham was quickest to react, calmly slotting home the rebound.
Simo Valakari’s side doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark. Logan Chalmers showed great determination to win possession from Ciaran Greene inside the penalty area before squaring for Paton, who made no mistake from close range.
Liam Smith looked to have added a third with 16 minutes remaining, only for his finish from a tight angle to be ruled out for offside. Saints also came close in the closing stages when Sam Stanton’s strike crashed back off the crossbar, but the two first half goals proved enough to seal a comfortable opening victory.
Next up for Saints is a home game against Greenock Morton on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints got their Premier Sports Cup campaign underway this evening as they took on Linlithgow Rose at the MV Commercial Prestonfield Stadium. There were four changes to the side which started the 4-2 friendly win at Cove Rangers on Saturday as Toby Steward, Liam Smith, Jason Holt and Logan Chalmers came into the starting eleven. They replaced Ross Sinclair, Daniel Finlayson, Taylor Steven and Josh Fowler who all dropped to the bench. Linlithgow Rose got their Premier Sports Cup campaign off to a winning start on Saturday as a second half goal from Calum Rae saw them defeat Greenock Morton 1-0 and manager Gordon Herd decided to go with the same team which started at Cappielow Park for tonight’s cup tie.
It was a glorious sunny evening in Linlithgow as Ruari Paton got the match underway for Saints. The visitors started on the front foot, and they created an opportunity to take the lead on 4 minutes as Jason Holt played in Paton, but he couldn’t test Cammy Binnie with his effort. Then shortly after Saints came close again as Kai Fotheringham dragged his effort inches wide of the post.
The breakthrough came on 8 minutes as Saints took the lead. Zach Mitchell played the ball into the feet of Paton, whose effort was well saved by Binnie. However, Fotheringham reacted quickest to the loose ball, following up to slot home from close range.
A long ball from Jack Baird on 19 minutes found Liam Smith on the right flank. The defender delivered a cross into the Rose penalty area, where Ciaran Greene initially intercepted it. However, Paton reacted well to win the ball back from the defender before firing his effort over the crossbar.
PHOTO: Jason Holt and Lucas Stenhouse
Saints continued to press forward and on 22 minutes Matty Foulds picked out Sam Stanton on the edge of the area however, the midfielder curled his effort narrowly wide. Then a minutes later Paton released Fotheringham down the left flank, and his inviting cross found Jason Holt. The Saints captain connected well with his effort, but Binnie was equal to it, making a comfortable save.
Saints doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark as Logan Chalmers brilliantly won possession from Greene before picking out Paton, who calmly slotted home from close range.
Paton came close to grabbing his second goal of the evening on 33 minutes after being picked out by a long ball. The Saints forward attempted to lob the advancing Binnie, but couldn’t get enough on his effort, allowing the Linlithgow Rose goalkeeper to comfortably pluck the ball out of the air.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton celebrates his goal with provider Logan Chalmers
With 6 minutes of the first half remaining Holt played the ball to the feet of Paton however, it was a comfortable save for the Rose keeper. Then shortly after Paton was presented with another chance by Chalmers to extend Saints lead however, Binnie made a good block to deny the Irishman as the hosts cleared their lines.
Saints continued to threaten and carved out another opportunity in first-half stoppage time, with Stanton’s delivery from the left finding Paton, but excellent work from Binnie and Greene ensured the Saints forward was unable to find the target.
Saints made a double change at half time as Cheick Diabate and Josh Fowler came on to replace Zach Mitchell and Kai Fotheringham.
4 minutes into the second half Saints created another chance to score however, Binnie made a good save to deny Chalmers.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton at full stretch is denied by keeper Cammy Binnie
The hosts created a good opportunity of their own on 51 minutes to pull a goal back as half time substitute Liam McQuaid played the ball down the left to Blair Henderson who picked out Dylan Paterson just outside the box, but his left-footed effort was saved by Toby Steward.
Saints though quickly regained control and on 54 minutes Fowler gathered the ball from Chalmers however, Jamie Watson made a good block to deny the Saints forward. Then 2 minutes later Smith plucked Foulds cross from the left out of the air before blasting his effort over the bar.
Simo Valakari then made another change as Ruari Paton made way for Jamie Gullan.
The Rose were looking more threatening during the second half and on 67 minutes a Calum Rae right footed shot from outside the box was saved by Steward.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler and Paul Kennedy
On 73 minutes a good pass from McAlear played in Stanton however, Greene got back to clear the danger before the Saints midfielder could get an effort away. Then a minute later Stanton came even closer as his shot was saved by Binnie and Smith thought he extended Saints lead as he slotted home the follow-up effort from a tight angle however, the goal was ruled out as the defender was in an offside position.
Another change was then made by Saints as Taylor Steven came on to replace Logan Chalmers.
Smith got another sight of goal on 82 minutes as a cross from the left by Foulds broke to the Saints defender however, former Saints youth player Cammy Thomson made a good block to snuff out the danger.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton is denied by Cammy Binnie
Before play could resume Saints made their final change of the evening as Morgan Boyes replaced Reece McAlear. Then a minute later Stanton picked out Steven who burst through on goal before dragging his effort wide of the far post.
Saints continued to dictate proceedings in the closing stages and came within inches of adding a third on 89 minutes. Stanton latched onto Fowler’s headed knockdown before seeing his powerful effort crash against the crossbar. It mattered little, however, as Saints comfortably saw out the remaining moments to get their Premier Sports Cup campaign off to a winning start.
Linlithgow Rose: Binnie, Thomson, Greene, Smith, Watson, Maguire, Berry (Kennedy 45’), Stenhouse (McQuaid 45’), Rae (Hamilton 80’), Paterson (McGowan 63’), Henderson (Tosh 80’)
Unused Substitutes: Elvin (GK), Aitchison, McMullan, Skinner
Booked: Maguire
Saints: Steward, Mitchell (Diabate 45’), Holt, Stanton, Foulds, Baird, Fotheringham (Fowler 45’), Chalmers (Steven 77’), Smith, McAlear (Boyes 83’), Paton (Gullan 64’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Todd, Finlayson, Robertson
Booked: Paton, McAlear
Scorers: Fotheringham (8’), Paton (30’)
Referee: Gary Hanvidge
Attendance: 1,218
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Kai Fotheringham celebrates his goal
