Saints secured another vital 3 points this afternoon as they defeated Ross County 1-0 at McDiarmid Park.
The only goal of the game came on 25 minutes as Reece McAlear despatched a low effort in the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Saints now turn their attention to Friday night’s top-of-the-table clash with Partick Thistle, where they will arrive with an eight-point advantage following today’s win. The match at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill kicks off at 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Ross County to McDiarmid Park for a William Hill Championship match this afternoon looking to restore their eight-point lead at the top following Partick Thistle’s late win against ten-man Greenock Morton last night. Simo Valakari freshened up his starting eleven following last week’s 2-0 win at Greenock Morton as Matty Foulds and Louis Lloyd both dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Morgan Boyes, who had missed the last two games due to suspension, and Jamie Gullan. Ross County battled out a goalless draw with Arbroath last weekend and manager Stuart Kettlewell made three changes to his starting eleven as he brought in Ben Crompton, Jamie Lindsay and Sean Mackie. They replaced Josh Reid, who dropped to the bench, whilst Ross Docherty and Kaedyn Kamara missed out due to suspension after getting sent off at Gayfield last Saturday.
It was a sunny spring afternoon in Perth as Jordan White got the match underway for the visitors.
The opening exchanges saw Saints have plenty of possession however, they couldn’t create any clear-cut chances to trouble Trevor Carson in the Staggies goal.
Then on 25 minutes Saints took the lead. Josh McPake’s cross into the box from the left broke to Reece McAlear and the midfielder unleashed a fine low effort from the edge of the box which nestled int the far corner of the net.
PHOTO: Josh McPake is denied by Akil Wright
Ross County tried to get a quick response as on 27 minutes the ball was worked to Jayden Carbon and the on loan forward put his effort well wide of the target.
The goal opened up the game and just before the half an hour mark McPake produced his traditional cut in from the left wing before firing wide of the far post. Then on 32 minutes McPake turned provider, playing in Sam Stanton with a beautiful pass however, the midfielder steered his effort wide of the target.
Saints were appealing for a penalty a minute later as Ruari Paton went down in the box under a heavy challenge, but referee Colin Steven wasn’t interested as play continued. Saints continued to apply pressure to the Staggies goal and on 34 minutes McPake’s cross from the left was met by Paton however, his header went over the bar.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton curls his shot wide
Saints were awarded a free kick on 44 minutes after Stanton was wiped out by Levis Pitan who was booked for the foul. Stanton dusted himself down to take the free kick and his delivery into the box was turned behind for a corner at the back post by Ben Crompton.
The second half got underway in physical fashion, with several players shown yellow cards in the opening stages.
On 58 minutes a Morgan Boyes cross from the left was met by Stanton however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.
PHOTO: Jason Holt is fouled by Connor Randall
The 65th minutes saw a minute’s applause around the stadium in memory of supporter David Paterson who sadly passed away following our match against Ayr United last month.
Saints then made their first change of the game as Taylor Steven came on to replace Jamie Gullan.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton joins in a minute’s applause on the 65th minute in memory of David Paterson
Saints were creating the better chances and with 20 minutes remaining McPake curled an effort wide of the far post.
Saints almost gifted County a way back into the game on 72 minutes as Jamie Lindsay stole possession from a Toby Steward throw out and then played in substitute Kieran Phillips who put his low strike just wide of the post. The Staggies threatened again 2 minutes later as Uche Ikpeazu picked out Akil Wright but the defender’s strike from distance didn’t trouble Steward.
McPake won a free kick with 14 minutes remaining as the winger drew the foul from Dylan Smith. Paton took the free kick as he sent a delivery to the back post as it looked like it had been deflected behind for a corner however, referee Colin Steven gave a goal kick.
PHOTO: Liam Smith and Sean Mackie
Saints then made another change as Josh Fowler came on to replace Ruari Paton.
Saints managed the closing stages well as they remained in control of possession. With 2 minutes remaining Jason Holt nearly put the result beyond doubt but his strike from the edge of the area was saved by Carson. Nevertheless, Saints comfortable secured the 3 points to restore their eight-point lead at the top of the William Hill Championship.
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Gullan (Steven 66’), Stanton, Baird, Paton (Fowler 79’), McPake, Smith, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Foulds, Lloyd, Fotheringham, Mallan, Agyeman, Forrester
Booked: Boyes, Paton
Scorer: McAlear (25’)
Ross County: Carson, Crompton (Smith 69’), Wright (Ikpeazu 69’), Pitan, Randall, Cornelius (Henderson 79’), Carbon (Phillips 69’), White, Gallagher, Lindsay, Mackie (Reid 69’)
Unused Substitutes: Foster (GK), Iacovitti, Duncan, Williamson
Booked: Mackie, Pitan, Lindsay, Wright
Referee: Colin Steven
Attendance: 4,223
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Reece McAlear celebrates his goal
