A first half double from Josh Fowler saw Saints beat Hibs 2-1 at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.
Saints took the lead on 17 minutes when Fowler converted from close range at the back post after Taylor Steven’s cross from had taken a deflection off Adam Mayor.
Despite Saints putting in a strong performance Hibs were back on level terms just before the half-hour mark. The Easter Road side took advantage of slack play in midfield and Miguel Chaiwa sent Nathan Lowe free and the forward drilled a low strike beyond Toby Steward and into the net.
However, Fowler restored Saints lead with his second of the game from the penalty spot 4 minutes before half time after Enes Alić was tripped in the box by Martin Boyle.
Hibs came back in the second half however, some brilliant defending from Zach Mitchell and a superb save from Toby Steward ensured that Saints made it back-to-back league wins at home.
Saints are back in action on Wednesday evening as they welcome Celtic to McDiarmid Park, kick off 8pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints were back on home turf this afternoon as they welcomed Hibernian to McDiarmid Park for matchday five of the William Hill Premiership. A last-minute goal from Josh Fowler saw Saints earn a 1-1 draw against Dundee on Wednesday evening. There were two changes to the side which started at Dens Park in midweek as Liam Smith and Josh Fowler came in to replace Matty Todd and Ruari Paton who both dropped to the bench. There was also a place on the bench for new signings Danny Schmidt and Joel Cotterill. Hibs lost 3-1 to Hearts on Thursday evening and Head Coach David Gray also made two changes to his starting eleven this afternoon. Adam Mayor and Miguel Chaiwa both came into the starting eleven to replace Callum Wright, who dropped to the bench, whilst Jordan Obita missed out due to injury.
Martin Boyle got the match underway for the visitors and the opening to the match was an even affair as both sides searched for the first chance of the match.
The breakthrough came on 17 minutes as Saints took the lead. Jason Holt strolled forward unopposed and then played in Taylor Steven down the right and his cross took a deflection off Adam Mayor as it landed perfectly for Josh Fowler who tapped home from close range at the back post.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler celebrates his goal with Enes Alić and Jamie Gullan
Hibs tried to get a quick response as on 20 minutes Zach Mitchell made a good sliding block to deny Felix Passlack. The loose ball was then gathered by Boyle however, his cross into the Saints box was cleared by Holt.
Saints were then forced into a change as Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Jamie Gullan who had picked up an injury.
The visitors were back on level terms on 29 minutes as Miguel Chaiwa won possession from Reece McAlear and then played a brilliant defence splitting ball to release Nathan Lowe. The on-loan Stock City striker burst forward, one-on-one with Toby Steward, before slotting a composed low right footed strike beyond Steward and into the net.
Despite being drawn level Saints regrouped and went back in search of regaining the lead. On 33 minutes Sam Stanton inches away from connecting with a deflected Fotheringham cross after the winger had been played in down the left by Enes Alić.
With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Saints were given the chance to regain the lead as they were awarded a penalty following a clumsy foul by Boyle on Alić in the box. Fowler stepped up to take the penalty, and he sent Raphael Sallinger the wrong way with a fine finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler scores from the penalty spot
PHOTO: Josh Fowler celebrates his second goal
4 minutes into the second half Steward got down well to turn a Jamie McGrath strike from 20 yards behind for a corner. Then shortly after Ante Šuto, on at half time for Martin Boyle, came close as he connected with a deflected Mayor cross however, his effort went wide of the target.
On 51 minutes Fowler came within inches of completing his hat-trick. Steven put a delightful cross into the box from the left which Fowler got a slight touch to with his head as the ball went wide of the target.
Slack play on 53 minutes saw Lowe latch onto a short pass back by Steven however, Mitchell got back to mop up the danger.
Brilliant play by Steven on 55 minutes saw the midfielder win the ball in midfield from Jacob Devaney and then advanced forward before playing in Fowler on the right who unleashed a curling effort from the edge of the box which went narrowly wide of the far post.
PHOTO: Nathan Lowe battles with Zach Mitchell
Saints then made their first change of the game as Joe Cotterill came to make his debut, replacing Taylor Steven.
Saints were looking dangerous going forward and on 59 minutes a brilliant ball from Alić played in Stanton whose shot on the turn was deflected behind for a corner by Jason Kerr.
With 20 minutes remaining Steward made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Kanayo Megwa as the defender, on for the injured Grant Hanley, directed a header goalwards from a Mayor corner from the right.
Saints then made a triple change as Sam Stanton, Kai Fotheringham and Josh Fowler were replaced by Macaulay Tait, Matty Todd and Danny Schmidt, who was making his Saints debut.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton and Jacob Devaney
The Saints substitutes were soon involved in the action as on 74 minutes Schmidt picked out Tait on the edge of the box and he played laid the ball off to Holt however, the deflected strike from the Saints captain was comfortably gathered by Sallinger.
As the match entered the final 15 minutes Hibs started to come more into the game and press for an equaliser. On 77 minutes substitute Thibault Klidjé saw his shot hit his own player, Ante Šuto, however, the rebound fell to Klidjé, but Mitchell put his body on the line to produce a brilliant block to deny the forward.
On 89 minutes Alić got a sight of goal however, his powerful effort was saved by Sallinger. 3 minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end and Saints were able to deal with anything Hibs threw at them as they saw the game out to secure a big three points.
PHOTO: Teamwork – Cheick Diabate and Zach Mitchell
Saints: Steward, Alić, Diabate, Mitchell, Steven (Cotterill 57’), Holt, Fowler (Schmidt 72’), Gullan (Fotheringham 22’) (Todd 72’), Stanton (Tait 72’), Smith, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Boyes, Foulds, Paton
Booked: Steven
Scorers: Fowler (17’, 41’ pen)
Hibernian: Sallinger, Mayor, Hanley (Megwa 61’), Kerr, Mulligan (Cadden 75’), Lowe (Klidjé 61’), Boyle (Šuto 45’), Chaiwa, McGrath, Devaney (Wright 61’), Passlack
Unused Substitutes: Smith (GK), Newell, Williams, Abdulai
Booked: None
Scorer: Lowe (29’)
Referee: Steven McLean
VAR: David Dickinson
Attendance: 5,793
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Josh Fowler celebrates his second goal
