Despite producing a late comeback Saints were narrowly beaten on penalties this evening as their KDM Evolution Trophy campaign came to an end against Ayr United.
George Oakley fired the Honest Men into a two-goal lead after 28 minutes however, Josh McPake pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by George Finney to give Saints a lifeline before the break.
Ayr restored their two-goal cushion just two minutes into the second half when Kevin Holt turned home a Stuart Bannigan free kick. Saints refused to fold, though, and set up a dramatic finale. Liam Smith pulled a goal back with a fine right-footed effort before Jamie Gullan took the match to penalties, reacting quickest to slot home the rebound after his initial spot-kick had been saved by Max Thompson.
In the shoot-out, Stevie Mallan saw his effort kept out by Thompson as Ayr moved 2-1 ahead after two penalties each. Toby Steward produced a vital save to deny Mark McKenzie to keep Saints hopes alive, and with the sides locked together after five kicks apiece, sudden death was required. There, Matty Foulds was denied by Thompson which sent the Honest Men through to a semi-final tie against Inverness CT.
Saints are back in action on Friday evening as they head to Kirkcaldy to take on Raith Rovers, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints took on Ayr United in a rearranged KDM Evolution Trophy quarter-final tie this evening. This evening’s cup tie was taking place at the Falkirk Stadium as the match had to take place a neutral venue in order to meet competition timeframes following three postponements at McDiarmid Park. There were four changes to the side which started the 1-0 win at Airdrieonians on Friday as Adam Forrester and Jamie Gullan dropped to the bench, whilst Reece McAlear and Josh Fowler missed out completely with the latter cup-tied after featuring for Queen’s Park earlier in the competition. Ayr United haven’t played since the 31st January when they defeated Raith Rovers 2-1. Head coach Scott Brown made one change to the side which started at Somerset Park as George Oakley came in to replace Curtis Main, who joined Greenock Morton on loan earlier this month.
After a slight delay to the match starting due to an issue with the Ayr United goal net, Ruari Paton got the match underway.
The first chance of the match came for the Honest Men as a Ben Dempsey corner from the left was met by Anton Dowds at the near post however, Toby Steward produced a brilliant reaction save to touch the ball onto the post before Saints eventually cleared their lines.
Saints created a chance a minute later as Josh McPake cut in from the left and along the byeline before seeing his cutback sliced over for a corner by Stuart Bannigan. Then on 9 minutes Paton created space for himself outside the box before curling an effort narrowly over.
The opening goal came on 15 minutes as Ayr United took the lead. Good link up play down the left saw Dowds play in Oakley and he sent a composed low finish beyond Steward.
PHOTO: Cheick Diabate fends off Anton Dowds
Saints were awarded a free kick in an inviting position 10 minutes later after Jason Holt was fouled by Dowds. Paton stepped up to take the free kick however, his strike hit the Ayr wall before the Honest Men cleared the danger.
The Somerset Park side doubled their advantage on 28 minutes as Oakley slammed home his second goal of the evening.
However, Saints halved the deficit 2 minutes later as they were awarded a penalty after McPake was brought down by George Finney. McPake dusted himself and calmy slotted home the penalty with a low left footed effort to bring Saints back into the game.
Saints then went in search of an equaliser and on 32 minutes Alfredo Agyeman’s cutback was met by McPake however, his effort was deflected behind for a corner by Kevin Holt.
PHOTO: Josh McPake scores from the penalty spot
Simo Valakari made a triple change at the break as Kai Fotheringham, Stevie Mallan and Jamie Gullan came on to replace Josh McPake, Jason Holt and Ruari Paton.
Ayr restored their two-goal lead on 47 minutes. Scott Brown’s side were awarded a free kick after Dowds was fouled by Diabate. Bannigan took the free kick and his delivery was perfect for Holt who met it in the centre and guided the ball beyond Steward.
Saints regrouped and on 49 minutes Matty Foulds cut-back from the byeline was met by Taylor Steven but his shot was cleared off the line by Leon King.
PHOTO: Jason Holt and Ben Dempsey
The Honest Men continued to look dangerous going forward and on 51 minutes Dowds got another sight of goal however, he couldn’t test Steward as he blasted his effort over.
2 minutes later Saints came close as Cheick Diabate’s shot broke kindly to Gullan whose effort was comfortably gathered by Max Thompson in the Ayr United goal.
Fotheringham won Saints a free kick in a promising position on the hour mark after the attacking midfielder was brought down by Bannigan. Gullan and Mallan both eyed the opportunity, sharing a quick exchange before Gullan took responsibility as the forward attempted to curl his effort over the wall, but the shot drifted just over the bar.
Saints then made another change as Jonathan Svedberg replaced Sam Stanton.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari watches from the touchline
The Saints rearguard continued to be troubled by the Ayr United attacks and on 66 minutes a long throw-in from substitute Nick McAllister was flicked on in the Saints box as it broke to Dowds at the back post but Steward made a good save to deny the forward.
Another change for Saints followed shortly after as Alfredo Agyeman made way for Liam Smith.
On 78 minutes Fotheringham did well to draw the foul from McAllister and the resultant free kick was taken by Mallan however, his delivery into the box was headed behind for a corner by Scott McMann. Mallan took the corner from the right and his delivery was gathered by Gullan who laid the ball off to Svedberg and the midfielder sent a fizzing effort inches wide of the post.
It was looking like it was not going to be Saints night however, on 89 minutes they pulled a goal back as Mallan picked out Smith outside the box and the defender unleashed a terrific low strike which nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
Then deep into stoppage time Saints were awarded a penalty as McMann was penalised for a handball. Gullan stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was saved by Thompson however, Gullan made no mistake as he slotted home the rebound to take the match to penalties.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan celebrates scoring to make it 3-3
Dempsey took responsibility for the opening the penalty shoot-out and confidently drilled his effort straight down the middle. Gullan answered with a cool finish from 12 yards, but Bannigan edged the Honest Men back in front to make it 2-1.
Mallan was up next as he saw his effort saved by Thompson as the keeper pushed the spot kick onto the post. Steward then produced heroics of his own saving Mark McKenzie’s penalty low to his right before Boyes slotted home to make it 2-2 after three spot kicks each.
Ethan Walker and Kevin Holt scored for Ayr whilst Fotheringham and Steven scored for Saints to take the shoot-out to sudden death. After McMann gave Ayr a 5-4 lead, Foulds saw his effort saved by Thompson as the Honest Men booked their place in the semi-finals of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
PHOTO: Toby Steward consoles Matty Foulds after missing his penalty kick in the sudden death
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt (Mallan 45’), Stanton (Svedberg 63’), Foulds, Baird, Paton (Gullan 45’), Steven, McPake (Fotheringham 45’), Agyeman (Smith 72’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Forrester, Franczak
Booked: None
Scorers: McPake (30’ pen), Smith (89’), Gullan (90+4’)
Ayr United: Thompson, Dick, Holt, Bannigan, Dowds (Bonnar 80’), Dempsey, Oakley (Walker 75’), King, McKenzie, McMann, Finney (McAllister 45’)
Unused Substitutes: Russell (GK), Want, Hislop, Mitchell, McRoberts
Booked: Walker
Scorers: Oakley (15’, 28’), Holt (47’)
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Attendance: TBC
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Kai Fotheringham and Leon King
