A late header from Uche Ikpeazu saw Saints defeat Ross County 1-0 in Dingwall this evening.
Saints dominated possession for large spells however, the Staggies defence put in a strong defensive performance.
Toby Steward produced a fine save to deny Staggies midfielder Jay Henderson during the second half, whilst substitute James Scott put a header wide of the target.
Ikpeazu should have opened the scoring for Saints on 77 minutes when he headed wide from 6 yards out. However, the forward made amends shortly after as he beat County ‘keeper Ross Laidlaw to a Stevie Mallan free kick to head the ball into the net for the only goal of the game.
Adama Sidibeh came close to doubling Saints lead on 86 minutes but was denied by Laidlaw who touched the ball behind.
Saints are back in action next Saturday as they take a break from league action to welcome Motherwell to McDiarmid Park for a Premier Sports Cup match, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
It was Friday night under the lights for Saints this evening as they headed north to take on Ross County for a William Hill Championship match which was live on BBC Scotland. There was one change to the side which started the 5-1 win against Partick Thistle last weekend as Reghan Tumilty dropped to the bench and was replaced by Sven Sprangler. Ross County were held to a 2-2 draw at Airdrieonians last Saturday and manager Don Cowie also made one change to his starting eleven as Alex Iacovitti came in to replace Ross Docherty who missed out completely.
Ronan Hale got the match underway for the hosts however, it was Saints who created the first chance of the match after 5 minutes. Stevie Mallan showed great vision to pick out Adama Sidibeh and the Saints forward then squared the ball to Jamie Gullan who brilliantly played in Josh McPake. The winger then carried the ball across the box as he looked for space to get a shot away before eventually seeing his right footed effort go narrowly wide.
Saints threatened again on 6 minutes as McPake tried to pick out Sidibeh with a cross into the box however, the Gambian couldn’t make a connection with the delivery. Then shortly after Sidibeh fired a strike straight at Ross Laidlaw in the Staggies goal.
PHOTO: Josh McPake shoots wide
Saints were dominating possession however, the county defence was doing a good job of limiting Saints to shots at goal. On 27 minutes Mallan unleashed a strike from distance which was deflected behind for a corner by Connor Randall.
The Staggies first attempt came on 34 minutes as Declan Gallagher volleyed over from just outside the box. County created another chance 3 minutes later as Jay Henderson played in Hale but his effort was straight at Toby Steward who comfortably gathered the ball.
Saints finished the first strongly as on 42 minutes Gullan fired a strike wide of the target. Then in stoppage time McPake picked out Mallan with a delightful pass however, the strike from the midfielder was blocked by the Staggies defence.
PHOTO: Reece McAlear and Jamie Lindsay
Simo Valakari’s side made a bright start to the second half as on 48 minutes McPake burst into the County box before sending a low ball across the face of the goal which Sidibeh couldn’t make a connection with before it was cleared by the Staggies defence. Then shortly after Gullan unleashed a strike which was blocked by the home defence as Saints continued to apply the pressure.
On 56 minutes more good play by McPake saw him cut in from the left before seeing his strike deflected behind for a corner by Gallagher.
Saints had the hosts penned in their own half and just before the hour mark Matty Foulds took a quick throw-in, picking out the unmarked Gullan, who unleashed a strike on the turn which went wide of the target. Then shortly after McPake put his effort wide of the far post.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan shoots wide
Saints first change of the game came on 68 minutes as Uche Ikpeazu came on to replace Jamie Gullan.
Despite the pressure from Saints the hosts almost took the lead with 16 minutes remaining. A clearance from Foulds was gathered by Jay Henderson and the midfielder unleashed a powerful right-footed strike which was brilliantly saved by Steward.
Ikpeazu then got a chance to break the stalemate on 77 minutes as the forward got on the end of a Sven Sprangler cross before guiding his header from six yards narrowly wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.
The game was starting to become stretched and 2 minutes later the Staggies carved out another chance as a cross from substitute Ben Crompton was met by James Scott however, the on-loan County forward couldn’t direct his header on target.
Then with 8 minutes remaining Saints took the lead. They were awarded a free kick out on the left after McPake was fouled by Randell and the Staggies captain was booked by referee Dan McFarlane. Mallan took the free kick as he whipped a deep cross into the box which County ‘keeper Ross Laidlaw came for however, Ikpeazu got to the delivery first, rising above everyone to head the ball into the net.
PHOTO: Uche Ikpeazu scores for Saints
Saints came close to doubling their lead on 86 minutes as Ikpeazu played in Sidibeh, who was one-on-one with the County keeper however, Laidlaw made amends for his earlier mistake as he denied an almost certain goal turning the ball around the post for a corner.
Saints then made a double change as Scott Bright and Makenzie Kirk came on to replace Josh McPake and Adama Sidibeh.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages however, Saints saw the game out to secure the 3 points to maintain their winning start to their William Hill Championship campaign.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari celebrates with the fans at full time
Ross County: Laidlaw, O’Sullivan, Wright, Randall, Henderson (Crompton 78’), Cornelius (White 88’), Hale, Iacovitti, Mackay-Steven (Scott 45’), Gallagher, Lindsay (Clark 62’)
Unused Substitutes: Foster (GK), Smith, Lyall, Robesten, Emslie
Booked: Iacovitti, Henderson, Randall, Hale
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Holt, Sidibeh (Kirk 87’), Gullan (Ikpeazu 68’), Foulds, Baird, Mallan, Sprangler, McPake (Bright 87’), McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Svedberg, Stanton, Steven, Franczak
Booked: McAlear, Sprangler, Holt
Scorer: Ikpeazu (82’)
Referee: Dan McFarlane
Attendance: 3,185 (433 Saints fans)
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Uche Ikpeazu celebrates his goal
