Match report: Saints 1-2 Aberdeen

Nicky Devlin gave the Dons the lead on 22 minutes as he headed home a Jamie McGrath corner.

McGrath then doubled Aberdeen’s lead just after the hour mark as he finished off a good move by the visitors.

Saints were given hope with 2 minutes remaining as they pulled a goal back when Gavin Molloy turned Makenzie Kirk’s cross into his own net. However, the visitors saw the game out to head back up the road with the 3 points.

Saints are back in action this Sunday as they head to Kilmarnock, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints got their William Hill Premiership campaign underway this evening as they welcomed Aberdeen to McDiarmid Park. There were two changes to the Saints starting eleven which defeated East Fife 5-1 last time out as Graham Carey dropped to the bench, whilst David Keltjens missed out completely. They were replaced by Lewis Neilson, who was making his debut after joining from Hearts last week on a year-long loan deal, and Aaron Essel who missed the East Fife match due to suspension. There was one change to the Aberdeen starting eleven which defeated Dumbarton 6-0 in the Premier Sports Cup last weekend as Bojan Miovski came in to replace Leighton Clarkson who missed out completely.

There was a great atmosphere in McDiarmid Park as prior to the match the Main Stand was renamed the Geoff Brown Stand as Geoff Brown was honoured for his many contributions to Saints.

PHOTO: The Main Stand is renamed the Geoff Brown Stand

Bojan Miovski got the match underway but it was Saints who created the first chance of the match on 2 minutes as Benji Kimpioka cut the ball back to Lewis Neilson however, the defender saw his effort from the edge of the box go rising over the bar.

The Dons created the next chance of the match as good play down the left saw Jamie McGrath play the ball out to Miovski however, his delivery was brilliantly cut out by Aaron Essel. From the resultant corner the ball broke to Shayden Morris however, the winger blasted his effort wide of the mark.

The first booking of the game came on 8 minutes as Andre Raymond was shown a yellow card for a foul on Graeme Shinnie. The incident was reviewed by VAR as it was decided that a booking was the correct decision.

On 10 minutes Saints came close to taking the lead as a Cammy MacPherson corner from the left was met by Neilson however, he glanced his header narrowly wide of the far post.

PHOTO: Lewis Neilson and Jamie McGrath

The Dons thought they had taken the lead 3 minutes later as Ester Sokler burst forward and rounded Josh Rae before tucking the ball into the net however, the goal was ruled out for offside.

Then on 16 minutes a McGrath corner from the right picked out Sivert Heltne Nilsen who had peeled off his man however, Rae made a good save touching the ball over the bar.

The pressure from the visitors continued and on 21 minutes Miovski saw his long-range effort hit the crossbar. Then a minute later good play by Miovski saw his ball over the top play in Sokler who raced into the box however, Rae made himself big to block with his legs as the ball went behind for a corner. You sensed a goal was coming and from the resultant corner McGrath’s delivery from the left was met by Nicky Devlin who planted his header in the far corner of the net to put Aberdeen a goal up.

Just after the half an hour mark Aberdeen created a chance to double their lead as Devlin played in Miovski and the Macedonian forward saw his effort palmed behind for a corner by Rae.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka is closed down by Jack MacKenzie and Gavin Molloy

As the match approached half time Raymond whipped over a delightful cross into the box which was turned behind for a corner. Then in the second minute of stoppage time Kimpioka chested the ball down before firing his volley from 25 yards over the bar.

The final chance of the half fell to Aberdeen however, the shot from Morris was straight at Rae who comfortably gathered the ball.

Saints were forced into a change early in the second half as Sam McClelland landed awkwardly in a challenge with Miovski and had to be replaced by Jack Sanders.

PHOTO: Sam McClelland goes off injured

On 53 minutes a play by Saints saw MacPherson send over a fine cross from the right across the face of the Aberdeen goal however, Kimpioka was unable to connect with the delivery. A good break by Saints just after the hour mark saw Matt Smith play in Adama Sidibeh however, he put his effort wide.

Aberdeen then doubled their lead on 62 minutes. Morris won possession for the Dons on the halfway line before playing in Sokler. The Slovenian forward then played the ball back to Heltne Nilsen and the defender played in McGrath who burst into the Saints box before slotting past Rae.

Following a foul on Kimpioka by Shinnie a MacPherson free kick on 67 minutes broke to Essel however, his powerful strike went wide of the post.

The visitors came close to a third on 70 minutes as a McGrath free kick picked out Gavin Molloy however, the Irish defender glanced his header wide of the target.

PHOTO: Kyle Cameron's cross is blocked by Nicky Devlin

Saints then made a change a minute later as Graham Carey came on to replace Aaron Essel.

Saints continued to push to get back into the game and with 11 minutes remaining MacPherson played a short corner to Matt Smith and the midfielder unleashed a curling effort which Dimitar Mitov touched behind for another corner.

Craig Levein then made a double change on 86 minutes as Cammy MacPherson and Benji Kimpioka were replaced by Nicky Clark and Makenzie Kirk.

Kirk would have an immediate impact as the young forward was instrumental in pulling a goal back for Saints. A good move forward by the Perth side saw Kirk break to the bye-line before he sent a powerful ball into the box which Molloy turned into his own net to give Saints hope.

PHOTO: Saints pull a goal back as Gavin Molloy turns the ball into his own net

9 minutes were added on at the end and in the second minute of stoppage time Miovski saw his effort deflected over for a corner.

Then a minute later played switched to the other end as Matt Smith played in Kirk however, his effort was straight at Mitov who gathered the ball.

Saints forced a couple of corners in the final minutes, which also saw Rae come up, as Aberdeen struggled to clear their lines. However, the Dons were able to see the game out to secure the 3 points.     

Saints: Rae, Raymond, Cameron, Neilson, MacPherson (Clark 86’), Wright, Essel (Carey 71’), Sidibeh, McClelland (Sanders 52’), M. Smith, Kimpioka (Kirk 86’)  

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), C. Smith, Sprangler, McPake, Franczak  

Booked: Raymond, Essel

Scorer: Molly (88’ og)

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, MacKenzie, Shinnie, Heltne Nilsen, McGrath, Miovski, Sokler (Guèye 64’), Morris (Ambrose 75’), Molloy, Rubežić

Unused Substitutes: Doohan (GK), Jensen, McGarry, Besuijen, Milne, Duncan, Stewart

Booked: Ambrose

Scorers: Devlin (22’), McGrath (62’)

Referee: Kevin Clancy  

VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 9,203

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Adama Sidibeh gets the better of Gavin Molloy