It was a tale of two penalties in Paisley this afternoon as Saints lost 1-0 to St Mirren.
After a goalless first half, Saints were handed the opportunity to take the lead just three minutes after the restart when they were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Alex Gogić’s arm. However, Jamie Gullan saw his spot-kick saved by Buddies goalkeeper Jacob Chapman.
St Mirren were awarded a penalty of their own on 72 minutes when Samuel Ramos was brought down by Toby Steward. Killian Phillips made no mistake from the spot to put the hosts ahead.
Saints pushed for an equaliser and had opportunities to get back into the match, with the best chance falling to Cheick Diabate. The defender rose to meet Jamie Gullan’s corner, but his header came back off the post as St Mirren held on for all three points.
Saints now have a couple of free weekends before they head to Gorgie at the end of the month to take on Hearts.
MATCH REPORT
Saints headed to Paisley today for their first away game of their William Hill Premiership campaign as they took on St Mirren at The Marbill Coaches Stadium. Simo Valakari decided to go with the same team which started the 4-3 win at home to Kilmarnock last Sunday for this afternoon’s match. St Mirren won 2-0 at Falkirk last Saturday and manager Craig McLeish made one change to his starting eleven as Declan John came in to replace Henry Fieldson who dropped to the bench.
Before the match got underway there was a minute’s applause for former St Mirren director Alex White who sadly passed away last month.
A blustery wind was swirling around The Marbill Coaches Stadium as Killian Phillips got the match underway for the hosts.
The opening exchanges were evenly contested with both sides intent on playing attractive football. Despite the positive approach from both teams, clear-cut chances proved hard to come by, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested during the opening stages.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton and Marcus Fraser
On 21 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick after Jason Holt was fouled by Samuel Ramos. It was taken by Jamie Gullan as his delivery into the Buddies box caused problems for the hosts before they were able to clear the danger.
Then on 26 minutes St Mirren came within inches of taking the lead as Toby Steward produced a brilliant save to touch Ramos’ header from a Chris Mochrie cross onto the bar. As the ball looped up on the goal line Zach Mitchell headed the ball off the line before Cheick Diabate cleared the danger.
With half an hour played, Matty Foulds’ long ball into the box picked out Diabate, who beat Buddies goalkeeper Jacob Chapman to it. However, he was unable to direct his header on target, sending it narrowly wide.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan and Ryan Carr
Into the second half and on 48 minutes Saints were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Both Sam Stanton and Alex Gogić challenged for the ball from a Liam Smith throw-in, with the ball striking the arm of the St Mirren defender as Saints appealed for a penalty. A VAR review followed, with referee Ross Hardie called over to the monitor by VAR official John Beaton. After reviewing the incident, Hardie pointed to the spot. Jamie Gullan stepped up to take the penalty, but his low effort was saved by Chapman. Gogić was then on hand to clear the rebound before Gullan could connect.
Despite that disappointment from the spot Saints came close to taking the lead on 52 minutes as a well worked move saw Ruari Paton slip the ball into the path of Foulds however, his low left-footed effort went agonisingly wide of the far post.
St Mirren were next to create a chance 2 minutes later as Mochrie cut in from the left before firing an effort wide of the target.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan’s penalty is saved
It was an open start to the second half and on 57 minutes Smith’s cross into the box from the right was cleared by Gogić. However, his clearance only went as far as Sam Stanton, but Buddies substitute Liam Donnelly produced a good block to deny the Saints midfielder.
Saints then made their first change of the game as Logan Chalmers came on to replace Josh Fowler.
Good play by Buddies substitute Luke Thomas on 67 minutes saw his ball over the top play in fellow substitute Jake Young who burst into the box however, Diabate was able to track the run back and the Saints defender did enough to put the forward off as he dragged his effort wide of the far post.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari shouts instructions
With 20 minutes remaining Diabate picked out Reece McAlear with a pass and the Saints midfielder unleashed an effort from distance which didn’t trouble Chapman in the home goal.
Then a couple of minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty. Declan John played a through ball to Ramos who went down under the challenge from Steward as referee Ross Hardie pointed to the spot. After the penalty decision was confirmed by VAR Killian Phillips converted from the spot as he sent Steward the wrong way to put the hosts in front.
Saints came within inches of levelling the match on 77 minutes as Gullan’s corner from the right was met by Diabate however, the defender saw his header crash off the post.
Simo Valakari then made further changes as Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Jason Holt and then shortly after Liam Smith made way for Louis Lloyd.
PHOTO: Reece McAlear holds of Killian Phillips
Saints pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and on 89 minutes they got a great chance to level the match. A quick break forward saw Paton pick out Lloyd in the box however, the Saints forward took a touch too many as Ryan Carr produced a good block to prevent the Saints forward from getting his shot away.
There was 5 minutes of stoppage time added on at the end and in the third minute of stoppage time Fotheringham’s deep cross from the right broke to Gullan however, his left footed shot hit Lloyd as the Buddies defence cleared the danger.
Play quickly switched to the other end a minute later as St Mirren got a great chance to seal all 3 points. Phillips played Young in behind the Saints defence as he burst into the box, but Steward made a good save to turn the ball behind for a corner.
St Mirren: Chapman, Richardson, John, Carr, Sule (Young 64’), Ramos (Idowu 76’), Gogić, Fraser (Donnelly 51’), Mochrie (Thomas 64’), Nsio, Phillips
Unused Substitutes: Urminský (GK), King, Taylor, Douglas, Fieldson
Booked: Fraser, Carr
Scorer: Phillips (73’ pen)
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Mitchell, Holt (Fotheringham 79’), Fowler (Chalmers 64’), Gullan, Stanton, Foulds, Smith (Lloyd 84’), McAlear, Paton
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Boyes, Steven, Baird, Finlayson, Tait
Booked: Gullan
Referee: Ross Hardie
VAR: John Beaton
Attendance: 6,544 (598 Saints fans)
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Josh Fowler and Ryan Carr
