Saints produced an assured and commanding performance this afternoon, cruising to a convincing 4-0 win over Airdrieonians at McDiarmid Park.
Saints made the breakthrough after 15 minutes thanks to a superb free kick from Ruari Paton. The lead was extended on 33 minutes when Morgan Boyes rose to meet a Jamie Gullan delivery, guiding his header neatly into the corner of the net for his first goal for Saints.
Just two minutes later, Paton struck again to make it three, finishing from close range after another dangerous delivery from Gullan to give Saints a commanding half time lead.
The second half was all about game management as Saints controlled proceedings. They added a fourth with 9 minutes remaining when Josh McPake converted from the spot after Sam Stanton had been fouled by Craig Ross.
The result, coupled with Partick Thistle’s 2-0 win at home to Dunfermline Athletic, means Saints remain five points clear at the top of the William Hill Championship on 68 points, with three games remaining.
Next up for Saints is a trip to Dunfermline Athletic a week on Tuesday, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Airdrieonians to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for their penultimate home game of the season. Saints came from behind to defeat Arbroath 4-2 last weekend and Simo Valakari decided to go with the same team which started at Gayfield last Saturday. Airdrieonians defeated Ross County 4-0 last weekend and head coach Aaron Taylor-Sinclair made one change to the side which started in Dingwall as Dom Thomas dropped to the bench to be replaced by Sean McGinty.
Ruari Paton got the match underway for Saints and the hosts made a good start to the match. On 5 minutes Jamie Gullan picked out Josh McPake on the left and the winger went close as he curled an effort wide of the far post. Then shortly after the pair linked up again as McPake played a neat one-two with Gullan before unleashing a shot which lacked power as Harry Stone comfortably gathered the ball.
On 15 minutes Gullan won Saints a free kick in an inviting position after he drew the foul from Jamie Barjonas. Paton stepped up to take the free kick and he curled a superb effort up and over the wall and into the net to give Saints a deserved early lead.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton scores from a free kick to make it 1-0
The Diamonds tried to get a quick response as on 17 minutes Toby Steward made a brave save at the feet of Chris Mochrie after the attacking midfielder had been played in by Lewis Strapp.
Saints pushed forward for a second and on 25 minutes Paton slipped the ball into the path of Sam Stanton however, the shot from the Saints midfielder was deflected behind by Charlie McArthur. Gullan took the resultant corner from the left as his delivery into the box was met by Cheick Diabate whose header went over the bar.
Simo Valakari’s side continued to push forward and on 32 minutes McPake played an inviting delivery across the face of the Airdrie goal which Liam Smith came agonisingly close to connecting with at the back post as Strapp turned the ball behind for a corner. Stanton delivered the corner from the right and, although his initial cross was cleared by the visitors, Jason Holt quickly regained possession for Saints. Gullan then whipped another ball into the box which was met by Morgan Boyes who rose to plant a fine header back across goal and into the far corner of the net to double Saints lead.
PHOTO: Morgan Boyes scores Saints second goal
Saints then got their third of the afternoon on 35 minutes as following a fine passing move by the league leaders Gullan played another inviting delivery into the box, this time from the left, which Paton turned home from close range at the back post for his second of the afternoon.
The closing stages of the first half was one-way traffic as Saints continued to look to add to their tally. On 39 minutes McPake played a brilliant ball in behind for Smith whose first-time right footed effort went wide of the target. Then on 44 minutes Smith turned provider as he sent an inviting delivery into the box which McPake was inches away from turning home at the back post.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton and Sean McGinty
On 56 minutes Craig Ross was booked for handball on the left flank. From the resultant free kick Gullan’s whipped delivery into the box was met by Boyes who directed the ball goalwards. Jack Baird then latched onto the effort as he guided the ball into the side netting however, play was pulled back as Baird had been in an offside position. Then 2 minutes Gullan got a sight of goal however, his curling effort drifted wide of the target.
Paton won Saints a free kick on 70 minutes after he was fouled by Strapp. Gullan delivered the set piece into the box, which was missed by Stone, but Adam Devine was able to intervene as the defender turned the ball behind for a corner.
Saints then made their first changes of the game as Josh Fowler and Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Ruari Paton and Jamie Gullan.
With 10 minutes remaining Saints were awarded a penalty after Stanton was tripped in the box by Ross. McPake stepped up and confidently converted from the spot, slotting the ball beyond Stone for Saints fourth of the afternoon.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton is brought down by Craig Ross for a penalty
PHOTO: Josh McPake scores from the penalty spot
Stanton came close to making it five on 82 minutes, but his fizzing volley went narrowly over.
Saints made a couple of more changes shortly after as Taylor Steven and Matty Foulds were introduced into the action, replacing Sam Stanton and Jack Baird.
On 86 minutes McPake threaded a beautifully weighted pass into the path of Fotheringham, who burst into the box however, Stone was alert to the danger as he made a good block at the feet of the attacking midfielder.
Simo Valakari then made another change as Josh McPake made way for Alfie Agyeman.
The final chance of the match came in the second minute of added on time as Steven played a short corner to Foulds and the left-back’s delivery into the box was met by Diabate however, his header was easily gathered by Stone as Saints comfortably saw the game out to remain five points clear at the top of the William Hill Championship.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari celebrates with the fans at full time
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Gullan (Fotheringham 76’), Stanton (Steven 84’), Baird (Foulds 84’), Paton (Fowler 76’), McPake (Agyeman 90’), Smith, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Svedberg, Forrester
Booked: Baird
Scorers: Paton (15’, 35’), Boyes (33’), McPake (81’ pen)
Airdrieonians: Stone, Strapp, McGinty (Gallagher 45’), Mochrie (Armstrong 66’), Henderson (Mahon 66’), McArthur, Devine, Ross, Barjonas (Stirton 66’), Telfer, McKinnon (McGrattan 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Melrose (GK), Thomas, Constable, Hastie
Booked: Ross
Referee: Grant Irvine
Attendance: 3,682
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Ruari Paton celebrates his second goal
