Saints 1-0 Hibernian

The only goal of the game came just after the half an hour mark as Shaun Rooney rose above Josh Doig to head home a David Wotherspoon cross.

Prior to the goal Zander Clark had made an excellent block with his leg to deny Jackson Irvine.

Saints got a chance to double their advantage in the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Chris Kane had been brought down by Paul McGinn. However, Hibs keeper Matt Macey made a good save to deny Glenn Middleton from the spot and got up quick to save Kane’s rebound effort.

However, Saints were able to see the game out to win the cup and with that secure an historic domestic cup double.  

MATCH REPORT

It was the Scottish Cup final this afternoon as Saints took on Hibs at Hampden Park as Callum Davidson’s side looked to complete an historic cup double. Saints drew 0-0 with Livingston last week to secure fifth place in the Scottish Premiership and a European place for next season and there were six changes to the Saints starting eleven for this afternoon’s game. Zander Clark, Liam Gordon, Ali McCann, Craig Bryson, Glenn Middleton and Chris Kane came into replace Zdeněk Zlámal, James Brown, Murray Davidson, Liam Craig, Stevie May and Guy Melamed. Hibs drew 0-0 with Celtic at Easter Road to end their league campaign and Head Coach Jack Ross made eight changes for today’s cup final. Ofir Marciano, David Gray, Darren McGregor, Lewis Stevenson, Kyle Magennis, Melker Hallberg, Jamie Murphy and Drey Wright all dropped to the bench and were replaced by Matt Macey, Paul McGinn, Paul Hanlon, Josh Doig, Martin Boyle, Jackson Irvine, Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet.

It was a lovely sunny spring afternoon in Glasgow’s Southside as David Wotherspoon got the match underway for Saints.

Hibs created the first opportunity of the match as Jackson Irvine raced down the left before sending over a good cross into the box however, Callum Booth was able to clear the danger. Then shortly after Irvine got down the left again as he tried to pick out Martin Boyle with his delivery into the box however, the Hibs man was unable to make a connection with the ball as he took a fresh air swipe at it.

On 9 minutes Craig Bryson played a neat ball into the Chris Kane however his first-time effort didn’t trouble Matt Macey in the Hibs goal.

Glenn Middleton went on a great mazy run on 16 minutes and did well to hold off the challenge from Josh Doig as he broke into the box before seeing his effort gathered by Macey.

The Easter Road side came close to breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes as Martin Boyle raced down the right before trying to pick out Christian Doidge but Jason Kerr was alert to the danger as he diverted the ball behind for a corner. Saints cup run to the final has seen Zander Clark make some very important saves and the Saints number one was at it again 4 minutes later as he stretched out his left leg to block an Irvine effort.

Saints though weathered the pressure from Hibs and then just after the half an hour mark Callum Davidson’s side took the lead. Good persistent play down the left by Callum Booth saw the ball break to David Wotherspoon who gathered it and then made a lovely turn to lose Alex Gogić before sending over a delightful cross. Shaun Rooney then rose like a salmon from the River Tay at the back post to head the ball into the far corner of the net.

On 37 minutes Joe Newell travelled forward with the ball before having a strike at goal which went well over as Hibs tried to find a way back into the game.

Into the second half and on 47 minutes Irvine played in Nisbet who took a touch before dragging his effort wide.

Then on 49 minutes Middleton went on another great run holding off the challenge from a couple of players as he broke into the Hibs box before seeing his effort blocked by Newell. The loose ball then fell nicely to Rooney but Newell deflect the wing-backs effort behind for a corner. From the corner the ball eventually broke to Wotherspoon but his strike was straight at Macey.

Just after the hour mark a good move by the Leith side saw Kevin Nisbet play the ball back to substitute Jamie Murphy whose effort at goal was comfortably gathered by Clark.

On 64 minutes Saints made their first change as Murray Davidson came on to replace Craig Bryson.

Middleton’s pace was causing Hibs problems and on 71 minutes as he advanced forward and then tried to play in Kane however, his pass was blocked by Paul Hanlon but it inadvertently played in Middleton who saw his strike saved by Macey. Then shortly after Saints created another chance but Wotherspoon’s strike was saved by Macey.

On 74 minutes Saints were awarded a penalty after Kane was fouled in the box by Paul McGinn just as the Saints number nine was going to unleash his strike at goal. Middleton took the penalty but Macey got down well to his left to save the Middleton’s powerful effort and the Hibs keeper got up quick to block the follow-up rebound strike from Kane.

With 11 minutes remaining Saints made their second change of the afternoon as James Brown replaced goalscorer Shaun Rooney.

Hibs continued to look for the equaliser and Ryan Porteous was next to get sight of the Saints goal but his header was well held by Clark.

Saints third change of the game came on 82 minutes as Glenn Middleton was replaced by Michael O’Halloran.

It was a nail-biting end to the game but Saints again showed what they are made of to see the game out. When referee Nick Walsh blew his whilst for full time the Saints players fell to the Hampden turf in pure jubilation. What they have achieved this season has been remarkable. This team has cemented themselves as legends and will never be forgotten. Saints have done the cup double!  

Saints: Clark, Kerr, Gordon, McCart, Rooney (Brown 79), McCann, Bryson (Davidson 64), Booth Wotherspoon, Middleton (O’Halloran 82), Kane

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Tanser, Conway, May, Melamed, Craig

Booked: None

Scorer: Rooney (32)

Hibernian: Macey, McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig (Stevenson 76), Boyle, Gogić (Murphy 56), Newell (Hallberg 72), Irvine, Doidge, Nisbet

Unused Substitutes: Marciano (GK), Gray, Magennis, Wright, McGregor

Booked: Irvine, McGinn, Porteous, Boyle

Referee: Nick Walsh

Attendance: BCD

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: The Saints players celebrate winning the Scottish Cup