Match report: Saints 1-0 Kilmarnock

The only goal of the game came on 53 minutes as Kirk got on the end of an excellent cross from Andre Raymond to glance a header into the net which Robby McCrorie who was unable to keep out despite getting a hand to it.

Killie’s afternoon got even worse on 84 minutes as they were reduced to ten-men after Liam Donnelly picked up a second booking for a high challenge on Drey Wright. The Northern Irish midfielder had already been booked earlier in the half for a foul on Raymond.

This afternoon’s win moves Saints above Kilmarnock and into ninth position in the William Hill Premiership with 13 points.

Saints are back in action next Sunday when they welcome Rangers to McDiarmid Park, kick off 12pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Kilmarnock to a snowy McDiarmid Park this afternoon as they looked to end a run of three defeats on the spin. Simo Valakari made four changes to the Saints starting eleven which started the 2-1 defeat at Motherwell prior to the international break as Božo Mikulić, who was making his first Saints start this afternoon, Andre Raymond, Makenzie Kirk and Benji Kimpioka came in to replace Kyle Cameron, Matt Smith and Adama Sidibeh who all dropped to the bench, whilst Barry Douglas missed out completely. Kilmarnock lost 2-0 at home to Celtic before the international break and manager Derek McInnes made one change to his starting eleven as Daniel Armstrong came in to replace Matty Kennedy who missed out completely.

Due to the adverse weather conditions as Storm Bert moved across Scotland this afternoon’s kick off was delayed until 3:15pm. Daniel Armstong got the match underway for the visitors and the first chance of the match came for Saints after 6 minutes. A good break down the left channel saw Jason Holt advance forward before sending over an inviting ball into the box. It was gathered at the back post by Nicky Clark and the Saints captain laid the ball off to Graham Carey who sent over a delightful ball back into the danger area as Makenzie Kirk rose to meet the delivery however, the forward couldn’t find the target with his header.

On 23 minutes good play by Saints saw Drey Wright pick out Benji Kimpioka on the edge of the Killie box and the Swedish forward saw his effort palmed behind for a corner by Robby McCrorie in the visitors goal.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk heads wide

A loose pass by Carey on 28 minutes saw David Watson win the ball in midfield before playing in Marley Watkins who burst forward however, Carey was able to get back to make amends as he blocked the shot from the Welsh forward as the ball went behind for a corner.

Just before the half an hour mark Kilmarnock got another sight of goal as Brad Lyons did a neat one-two with Armstrong before seeing his left footed curling effort from the edge of the area go over the crossbar.

Saints were shooting towards the Ormand Stand during the first half and on 31 minutes Holt went on a good run into the box before seeing his effort cut out by Robbie Deas for a corner.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Killie were awarded a free kick after Watkins had been fouled by Božo Mikulić. Armstrong took the free kick however, his effort from 30 yards went narrowly wide of Josh Rae’s left-hand post.

PHOTO: Božo Mikulić makes his first start for Saints

On 47 minutes Liam Donnelly picked up a booking for a foul on Raymond.

The breakthrough came 8 minutes into the second half as Saints took the lead. Andre Raymond whipped over a delightful cross into the box and Kirk got on the end of it to send his glancing header past McCrorie and into the far corner of the net.

Saints made a double change on 61 minutes as Graham Carey and Nicky Clark were replaced by Lewis Neilson and Adama Sidibeh.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk heads past Robby McCrorie to score

Sidibeh almost made an instant impact as on 63 minutes he produced an acrobatic attempt which was saved by McCrorie.

Play quickly switched to the other end as Donnelly got two chances in quick succession. Firstly, his header from a Fraser Murray corner was deflected over by Mikulić for another corner. This time the corner was taken from the left as Armstrong picked out Donnelly however, the right footed shot from the Northern Irish midfielder went wide of the target.

Killie got another sight of goal on 73 minutes as Murray put his effort wide of the target.

Saints made a double change on 76 minutes as Makenzie Kirk and Božo Mikulić were replaced by Aaron Essel and Kyle Cameron.

Then a minute later Kimpioka picked out Drey Wright just outside the box however, he couldn’t test McCrorie with his right-footed effort. Saints created another opportunity on 82 minutes as Sidibeh was inches away from connecting with Essel’s cross into the box from the right.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka battles with Lewis Mayo

However, with 6 minutes remaining Kilmarnock was reduced to ten men as Donnelly picked up a second booking for a high boot on Wright.

On 86 minutes a cross from Kimpioka picked out Sidibeh however, he put his effort wide of the target. Then 3 minutes later Holt cut the ball back to Essel and the midfielder unleashed a shot at goal which was saved by McCrorie.

6 minutes were added on at the end however, Saints comfortably saw the game out to earn a big 3 points.

PHOTO: Saints Head Coach Simo Valakari celebrates at full time

Saints: Rae, Mikulić (Cameron 76’), Raymond, Sanders, Holt, Clark (Sidibeh 61’), Carey (Neilson 61’), Wright, Sprangler, Kirk (Essel 76’), Kimpioka  

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Kucheriavyi, Smith, McPake, Franczak   

Booked: Holt, Raymond

Scorer: Kirk (53’)

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Ndaba, Wright (Cameron 89’), Mayo, Deas, Lyons, Vassell (McKenzie 89’), Armstrong (Mackay-Steven 69’), Watson (Murray 45’), Donnelly, Watkins (Anderson 69’)

Unused Substitutes: O’Hara (GK), Burroughs, Polworth, Bainbridge  

Booked: Deas, Donnelly

Sent Off: Donnelly

Referee: Iain Snedden  

VAR: Alan Muir  

Attendance: 1,872

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Andre Raymond and Marley Watkins