Saints and Raith Rovers played out a goalless draw in a tightly contested encounter at Stark’s Park this evening.
Saints created some good early opportunities to take the lead notably on 19 minutes when Josh Fowler struck the crossbar with a scuffed shot before inadvertently blocking Sam Stanton’s follow-up effort.
Raith Rovers also had a moment of hope when Lewis Vaughan thought he had put the hosts in-front on 19 minutes however, his strike was ruled out for offside.
Tremendous goalkeeping from Toby Steward denied both Scott Brown and Vaughan with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.
Saints had the bulk of the possession in the second half but found themselves up against a disciplined home side. Simo Valakari’s side got a great chance to secure all 3 points deep into stoppage time as Jason Holt found himself in space before heading straight at Josh Rae.
Saints are back in action on Tuesday evening as they head to Queen’s Park for a rearranged league match, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints returned to league action this evening as they travelled to Kirkcaldy to take on Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park for a match which was live on BBC Scotland. Simo Valakari made six changes to the side which started the KDM Evolution Trophy quarter-final defeat to Ayr United on Tuesday evening as Liam Smith, Adam Forrester, Reece McAlear, Kai Fotheringham, Jamie Gullan and Josh Fowler came into the starting eleven. They replaced Matty Foulds, Jack Baird, Taylor Steven, Alfredo Agyeman and Ruari Paton who all dropped to the bench, whilst Josh McPake missed out completely. Raith Rovers drew 0-0 at Greenock Morton last weekend and Dougie Imrie made three changes to his starting eleven as he brought in Ross Matthews, Innes Cameron and Lewis Stevenson. They replaced Jai Rowe, Ewan Wilson and Paul Nsio who all dropped to the bench.
It was a breezy evening in The Lang Toun as Josh Fowler got the match underway for Saints. The visitors would create the first chance of the match after 2 minutes as Liam Smith got a sight of goal however, his effort from just outside the box was straight at Josh Rae who comfortably gathered the ball.
Moments later, Raith threatened at the other end when Dylan Easton whipped in a cross from the left. Innes Cameron rose to meet it but was unable to steer his header on target.
Saints were awarded a free kick on 7 minutes after Fowler was fouled by Lewis Vaughan. Jamie Gullan swung the free kick in from the left, but his inviting delivery drifted beyond the cluster of Saints shirts and was comfortably collected by Rae.
PHOTO: Liam Smith gets the better of Dylan Easton
Saints created another chance on 13 minutes as Reece McAlear’s ball in from the right was gathered by Fowler and he laid it off to Sam Stanton but his low strike was saved by Rae. Then a minute later Saints should have taken the lead as Fotheringham’s shot was deflected up by Darragh O’Connor and Fowler looked to slot the ball home from close range however, his scuffed effort hit the crossbar. The loose ball then broke to Stanton who looked certain to score but his shot hit Fowler on the line as Rovers cleared the danger.
There were celebrations among the home support on 19 minutes when they appeared to have found the opener. Dylan Easton floated a corner into the Saints box from the right and his delivery was flicked on by Jack Hamilton to Vaughan who tucked the ball home from close range however, the joy was short-lived though as the goal was chalked off for offside.
Saints continued to push for the opener and on 34 minutes Stanton saw his effort from distance tipped around the post for a corner by Rae.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton gets between Lewis Stevenson and Scott Brown
Then a minute later Toby Steward made a brilliant double save to keep the score level. Lewis Stevenson picked out Scott Brown on the edge of the box who unleashed a low first-time effort but Steward produced a brilliant one-handed save to deny the former Saints midfielder. Vaughan looked like he was going to slot home the rebound from close range however, Steward sensationally stopped that as well as he smothered the ball. The hosts created another chance with 5 minutes of the first half remaining as Easton’s effort was easily gathered by Steward.
The final chance of the half came on 44 minutes as Jason Holt picked out Fowler in the box but his strike was turned behind for a corner by Stevenson.
Saints made their first change of the game on the hour mark as Ruari Paton came on to replace Kai Fotheringham and the forward almost made an immediate impact as his shot a minute later took a slight deflection off O’Connor before being saved by Rae.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler and Ross Matthews
Another change followed with 15 minutes remaining as Sam Stanton made way for Alfredo Agyeman.
Saints were controlling possession as the second half progressed however, they were struggling to break down a well-organised Rovers defence.
On 87 minutes a Gullan corner from the right broke to Reece McAlear as he put his left-footed effort over the bar. Then shortly after Morgan Boyes gathered the ball from Agyeman and decided to unleash an effort from distance which didn’t trouble Rae.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton gets a shot at goal
5 minutes was added on at the end and deep into stoppage time Saints carved out a great chance to snatch all 3 points as they were awarded a free kick after Agyeman drew the foul from Easton out on the left. Gullan stepped up to take the free kick and his delivery into the box was headed down by Liam Smith to Holt, who was in space in the centre of the box, and the Saints captain elected to go with the head as he directed the ball straight at Rae who showed good hands to gather.
Then there was almost a late sting in the tail as the hosts created a chance of their own to win it. Smith was booked for a foul on Easton on the halfway line. Rae sent the resultant free kick long into the Saints box and the ball bounced around before falling nicely to Easton however, the former Saints player couldn’t find the target with his effort from just outside the box as referee Ross Hardie brought proceedings to a close with the final whistle.
PHOTO: Alfie Agyeman, Jason Holt and Josh Fowler hold their heads as a late chance to win the game is missed
Raith Rovers: Rae, Hanlon, O’Connor, Matthews (Rowe 74’), Hamilton, Vaughan (Nsio 82’), Cameron (Mullin 69’), Brown (Montagu 82’), Doherty, Easton, Stevenson
Unused Substitutes: Glavin (GK), Wilson, Chin, Gibson, Winter
Booked: Brown, Hamilton, Matthews, Stevenson, Rae, Easton
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Fowler, Gullan, Stanton (Agyeman 75’), Fotheringham (Paton 60’), Smith, Forester, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Svedberg, Foulds, Baird, Lloyd, Steven, Mallan
Booked: Smith
Referee: Ross Hardie
Attendance: 4,121
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Jamie Gullan is blocked by Paul Hanlon
