Louis Lloyd scored his first Saints goal this evening as Simo Valakari’s side defeated Ross County 2-0 at McDiarmid Park to progress to the quarter-finals of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
It was a dominant performance by Saints and they took the lead on 18 minutes as brilliant play from Sam Stanton set up Josh McPake, who slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.
Lloyd sealed Saints passage into the next round on 48 minutes as he got on the end of a lovely Liam Smith cross to steer the ball home.
The draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the KDM Evolution Trophy will take place on Thursday at 1pm.
Saints are back in action a week on Saturday as they welcome Dunfermline Athletic to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Ross County to McDiarmid Park for their rearranged KDM Evolution Trophy last 16 match this evening. Simo Valakari made four changes to the side which defeated Arbroath 1-0 ten days ago as Božo Mikulić, who was making his first appearance after recovering from rupturing his ACL last February, Matty Foulds, Stevie Mallan and Louis Lloyd came into the starting eleven. They replaced Morgan Boyes, who dropped to the bench, whilst Adam Forrester, Jamie Gullan and Adama Sidibeh missed out completely. Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell made eight changes to the side which started the 2-0 win at home to Partick Thistle on Friday evening. Bradley Foster replaced Trevor Carson, who dropped to the bench, between the sticks, as Dean Cornelius, Scott Fraser, Nicky Clark, Gary Mackay-Steven, Jack Wells-Morrison, Miller Thomson and James Scott also came into the starting eleven. They replaced Connor Randall, Ross Docherty, Jay Henderson, Jamie Lindsay, Ryan Duncan, Kieran Phillips and Jordan White who all dropped to the bench.
Louis Lloyd got the match underway for Saints and the hosts made a quick start to the match as they created an early chance after 2 minutes as Josh McPake picked out Stevie Mallan in the centre of the box however, he guided his effort over the bar.
Ross County created a great chance to take the lead on six minutes when a brilliant through ball from Scott Fraser sent James Scott clear into the Saints box. Scott then attempted to square the ball to Miller Thomson at the back post, but he was unable to pick out the on-loan Dundee United midfielder as Saints cleared their lines
A lovely through ball by Matty Foulds on 16 minutes played in McPake however, Dean Cornelius got back to turn the wingers cross behind for a corner. The pressure from Saints was rewarded 2 minutes later as they took the lead. Sam Stanton swiftly broke and played a lovely ball to McPake who sent a fine finish into the far corner of the net.
PHOTO: Josh McPake celebrates his goal
McPake came close to doubling Saints lead on 22 minutes as he unleashed a strike from distance which was palmed away by Bradley Foster. Saints continued to look dangerous going forward and on 27 minutes Stanton won Saints a free kick out wide on the right after he was fouled by Jack Wells-Morrison. Mallan took the free kick as he floated the ball into the box and Cheick Diabate got up well to meet the delivery but his header crashed off the bar.
With 6 minutes of the first half remaining County created an opening as they tried to get back into the match as Thomson sent a dangerous ball into the box however, Diabate brilliantly cut out the delivery as he turned the ball behind for a corner.
PHOTO: Stevie Mallan is tackled by Gary Mackay-Steven
It was a dominant performance by Saints and with 2 minutes of the first half remaining, McPake went on a mazy run through the centre of midfield before unleashing a long-range strike that failed to trouble Foster in the Staggies’ goal.
Saints continued their good form as the second half got underway and, inside the opening minute, they came close to a second goal. McPake took advantage of a slip by Dylan Smith as he showed brilliant determination to burst forward and past a couple of Staggies players to advance into the visitors box. The winger had the option to pick out Lloyd in the centre but opted to go for goal, unleashing a strike from a tight angle that flashed wide of the far post.
Lloyd didn’t have long to wait to get off the mark however, as he doubled Saints lead on 48 minutes. Liam Smith delivered a delightful ball from the right and Lloyd produced a lovely finish to slot home from inside the six yard box for his first goal for the club.
PHOTO: Louis Lloyd celebrates his goal
Saints made a triple change just after the hour mark as Uche Ikpeazu, Morgan Boyes and Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Louis Lloyd, Božo Mikulić and Stevie Mallan.
Simo Valakari’s side continued to dominate possession and, on 64 minutes, McPake played in Fotheringham however, his right footed effort sailed over the bar. Fotheringham got another sight of goal 2 minutes later as he weaved his way into the box only to see his shot blocked by a Staggies defender.
On 73 minutes, McPake was fouled out wide on the left by Staggies substitute Connor Randall. Foulds took the resultant free kick as he whipped a delivery into the box, and the ball broke to Boyes but his powerful effort went inches over the bar.
PHOTO: Božo Mikulić making his first appearance after recovering from rupturing his ACL last February
Saints made another change with 12 minutes remaining as Sam Stanton made way for Victor Griffith.
Brilliant link-up play down the right channel on 83 minutes saw Smith send over another inviting ball into the box which Ikpeazu got on the end of however, he glanced his header wide of the far post. Then 3 minutes later Griffith played a neat one-two with Ikpeazu before seeing his effort at goal saved by Foster.
Saints then made their final change of the game as Josh McPake was replaced by Jack Baird.
PHOTO: Matty Foulds gets away from Dean Cornelius
Saints carved out one final chance in stoppage time as Ikpeazu was the provider again, playing in Fotheringham, who dragged his effort wide as Saints secured a comfortable progression into the quarter-finals of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Mikulić (Boyes 61’), Holt, Stanton (Griffith 78’), Foulds, Lloyd (Ikpeazu 61’), Mallan (Fotheringham 61’), McPake (Baird 89’), Smith, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Thomson (GK), Tumilty, Sprangler, Franczak
Booked: Stanton
Scorers: McPake (18’), Lloyd (48’)
Ross County: Foster, O’Sullivan, Cornelius, Fraser, Clark (Henderson 60’), Smith, Iacovitti, Mackay-Steven (Phillips 60’), Well- Morrison (Randall 60’), Thomson (Docherty 70’), Scott (White 60’)
Unused Substitutes: Carson (GK), Duncan, Williamson, Lindsay
Booked: Randall
Referee: Grant Irvine
Attendance: 1,815
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Louis Lloyd celebrates his goal with Josh McPake
