Saints 1-1 Motherwell

Saints took an early lead when Matt Smith’s free kick was not dealt with by Motherwell and Ryan McGowan guided the ball home from close range following a scramble in the box.

However, The Steelmen equalised on 29 minutes when former Saints player Theo Bair headed home a Blair Spittal cross from the left.

Motherwell would go on the create the better of the chances although Saints nearly won it in the final minutes of the match however, Diallang Jaiyesimi’s header was comfortably gathered by Liam Kelly.

Today’s result means Saints remain in tenth place in the cinch Premiership with 21 points.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Dingwall next Saturday to take on Ross County, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Motherwell to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for a cinch Premiership match. A header from debutant David Keltjens rescued a point for Saints in midweek as they drew 1-1 with Aberdeen in Perth and Craig Levein made two changes to his starting eleven this afternoon. Both Sven Sprangler and Diallang Jaiyesimi dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Max Kucheriavyi and Benjamin Kimpioka. There was also places on the bench for January recruits Kerr Smith and Connor Smith. Motherwell progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last weekend as they beat Alloa Athletic 3-1 and manager Stuart Kettlewell made one change to the side which started at Fir Park as Andy Halliday came in to replace the injured Adam Montgomery.

Blair Spittal got the match underway for the visitors and The Steelmen were awarded a free kick in the first minute of the match after Liam Gordon had fouled Harry Paton. Spittal took the free kick as he sent a curling delivery into the box which was met by Calum Butcher however, the header from the defender went wide of the target.

A good move by Saints down the right on 3 minutes ended with Graham Carey being fouled by Paul McGinn. From the resulting free kick Matt Smith sent an inviting ball into the box and following a scramble it broke to Ryan McGowan and the defender saw his close-range strike trundle into the net. There then followed a lengthy VAR review for a potential offside however, the goal would stand as it was deemed that Andy Considine was neither offside or impeding Well keeper Liam Kelly, who was booked by referee Colin Steven for his reaction to the goal.  

Saints were awarded another free kick on 10 minutes after Benjamin Kimpioka was brought down by McGinn. Carey took the free kick however, his effort was straight at Liam Kelly who gathered the ball at the second attempt.  

PHOTO: Ryan McGowan scores for Saints

On 18 minutes Georgie Gent sent an inviting ball across the face of the Saints goal however, luckily for Saints there was no takers as the ball went behind for a goal kick. Motherwell created another chance 3 minutes later as Spittal played a pass out wide to Gent and the defender sent over a great ball which Theo Bair got on the end of however, Dimitar Mitov made a brilliant point blank save to deny the former Saints striker although play was pulled back as Bair had been deemed to have been offside by the Main Stand assistant.

The Steelmen got their equaliser just before the half an hour mark as Spittal sent over a deep cross from the left and Bair leaped high above to Saints defence to power a header towards goal which went in off the far post.

Saints were forced into a change on 35 minutes as Diallang Jaiyesimi came on to replace the injured Liam Gordon as Saints changed to a back four.

A long ball forward by Dan Phillips 2 minutes later played in Benjamin Kimpioka who lobbed the ball over Liam Kelly however, there was too much bounce in the ball as it went out for a goal kick before he could make a connection with it.

PHOTO: Benjamin Kimpioka is tackled by Davor Zdravkovski

On 48 minutes Matt Smith’s long ball forward played in Kimpioka who then broke into the Motherwell box and despite being under pressure from Bevis Mugabi was able to get a shot away which was saved by Kelly.

Good play by Saints on the hour mark saw Luke Robinson cross a promising ball into the danger area which Jaiyesimi got on the end of however, his header didn’t trouble Kelly as it went over the bar.

Saints then made a double change as Max Kucheriavyi and Benjamin Kimpioka were replaced by Connor Smith, who was making his Saints debut after joining the club yesterday from Hearts, and Nicky Clark.

Jaiyesimi got another sight of goal on 62 minutes as he latched onto a Carey pass however, he blasted his effort high into the Ormand Stand.

PHOTO: Matt Smith is taken out by Blair Spittal

Motherwell continued to create chances of their own and on 64 minutes Stephen O’Donnell’s cross was met by Gent however, his left footed strike went over the bar. Then a minute later Paton’s cross picked out substitute Lennon Miller however, he was unable to test Mitov with his header.

The visitors kept up the pressure and on 67 minutes O’Donnell’s perfectly waited pass picked out the unmarked Paton in the Saints box and the Canadian midfielder took one touch to control the ball before putting his effort wide of the target.

With 12 minutes remaining Spittal won The Steelmen a free kick just outside the box after he was brought down by McGowan. Spittal took the free kick himself although his low curling effort was well held by Mitov.

Saints made their final change of the game on 83 minutes as Sven Sprangler came on to replace Graham Carey.

PHOTO: Diallang Jaiyesimi shoots wide

Then a minute later a defence splitting pass from substitute Sam Nicholson saw Paton burst though and around Mitov however, David Keltjens was able to get back to see the ball out for a corner.

Saints chances during the second half were limited however, they came close to clinching victory with 2 minutes remaining. Good work on the right saw Connor Smith send over a cross into the box which Jaiyesimi got on the end of however, his header lacked power as it landed in the arms of Kelly as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Saints: Mitov, Considine, McGowan, Gordon (Jaiyesimi 35’), Carey (Sprangler 83’), Kucheriavyi (C. Smith 61’), Robinson, M. Smith, Kimpioka (Clark 61’), Keltjens, Phillips

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Gallacher, Olufunwa, K. Smith, Franczak

Booked: C. Smith, Phillips

Scorer: McGowan (3’)

Motherwell: Kelly, O’Donnell, Gent, Mugabi, Spittal, Halliday (Miller 61’), Paton, Bair, McGinn, Zdravkovski (Nicholson 81’), Butcher

Unused Substitute: Oxborough (GK), Blaney, Elliot, Ferrie, Wells, L. Ross, M. Ross

Booked: Kelly, Zdravkovski, Halliday

Scorer: Bair (29’)

Referee: Colin Steven

VAR: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 3,412

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Ryan McGowan celebrates his goal