Saints 1-0 Livingston

The only goal of the game came after 3 minutes as Saints were awarded a penalty after Jack Fitzwater had fouled Hendry. The Saints forward took the penalty himself as he sent a powerful effort down the middle to give Saints an early lead.

Livingston tried to find a way back into the game but they came up against a well organised Saints defence as Saints were able to see the game to secure back to back wins for the first time this season.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Glasgow next Saturday to take on Celtic, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

After having a free weekend last week due to the international break Saints returned to action this afternoon as they welcomed Livingston to McDiarmid Park. A dramatic stoppage time goal from Callum Hendry a fortnight ago saw Saints defeat Motherwell 2-1 in Perth and manager Callum Davidson decided to go with the same starting eleven which started against The Steelmen. Livingston lost 2-0 at Hearts just before the break and manager David Martindale made one change to his starting eleven this afternoon as Odin Bailey dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Sebastian Soto.

Ali Crawford got the match underway for Saints and the hosts were awarded a free kick after 2 minutes following a foul on Callum Hendry by Ayo Obileye. Melker Hallberg took the free kick and he delivered the ball deep into the Livingston box which Sebastian Soto only half cleared. Hendry went to jump for the ball however, Jack Fitzwater also went to challenge for the ball but he caught Hendry in the back with his elbow and referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot. Hendry took the penalty himself and he coolly despatched the ball beyond Max Stryjek to give Saints an early lead.

PHOTO: Callum Hendry celebrates his goal

Livi then look to get back into the game and on 8 minutes Scott Pittman played the ball into the feet of James Penrice who cut in from the left and let fly from 20 yards but the right footed effort from the defender didn’t trouble Zander Clark. Then 3 minutes later a Joel Nouble cross from the right picked out Alan Forrest but Clark comfortably held the strike from the midfielder.

The Saints number one was then called into action again on 17 minutes as Nicky Devlin picked out Soto who showed some neat skill in the box to turn Dan Cleary to create space from himself but the American’s shot from a tight angle was well saved by Clark as he produced a strong right hand to turn the effort away from the on-loan Norwich City forward.

With 9 minutes of the first half remaining Saints were forced into a change as Callum Booth came on to replace Tony Gallacher who had picked up an injury after coming off worse following a 50-50 challenge with Nicky Devlin.

Then on 37 minutes Saints got a good chance to extend their lead as a long ball forward was headed down by Nadir Çiftçi to Crawford who unleashed an effort from 20 yards but Stryjek made a good save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

PHOTO: Ali Crawford's shot is saved by Max Stryjek

6 minutes into the second half Saints were awarded free kick after Fitzwater had fouled Hendry. Crawford took the free kick as he went for goal but his strike was comfortably gathered by Stryjek.

A good flowing Saints move just before the hour mark saw Hallberg cut the ball back to Shaun Rooney whose cross picked out Çiftçi but the flicked header from the forward went wide of Stryjek’s right-hand post.

PHOTO: James Penrice cleans out Dan Cleary

Livi were next to create an opportunity on 69 minutes as Nouble wriggled past Booth before setting up Obileye on the edge of the box whose powerful strike was palmed away by Clark.

Saints next change of the game came on 74 minutes as Stevie May was introduced into the action, replacing Nadir Çiftçi.  

Livingston continued to press for an equaliser and Clark had to be alert on 85 minutes this time saving a strike from substitute Odin Bailey. There were then shouts for a penalty as the visitors claimed the ball had struck Cleary’s arm after the defender had stumbled in the box and fell on the ball however, Kevin Clancy dismissed the appeals.

PHOTO: Callum Booth battles with Joel Nouble

The closing stages saw Saints make a double change as Cammy MacPherson and Jacob Butterfield came on to replace Melker Hallberg and Ali Crawford.

Saints were defending well however, Livingston got a great chance to level the match deep into the six minutes of stoppage time as Sean Kelly picked out Obileye at the back post but the defender couldn’t direct his header on target as Saints were able to see the game out to secure another crucial three points.

Saints: Clark, Rooney, McCart, Gordon, Cleary, Gallacher (Booth 36), Davidson, Hallberg (MacPherson 88), Crawford (Butterfield 89), Hendry, Çiftçi (May 74)

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Mahon, Sang, Middleton, Bair

Booked: Hendry, Davidson

Scorer: Hendry (3 pen)

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Penrice (Lewis 80), Holt, Pittman (Shinnie 80), Forrest, Oméonga (Kelly 66), Soto (Bailey 74), Nouble

Unused Substitutes: Konovalov (GK), Sibbald, McMillan, Montaño, Boyes

Booked: Fitzwater, Pittman, Penrice

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Callum Hendry scores the only goal of the game from the penalty spot