Alloa Athletic 0-4 Saints

Saints took the lead 57 seconds into the match as Cammy Ballantyne got on the end of a Luke Jephcott through ball to send a fine lob over Alloa keeper PJ Morrison.

On 20 minutes Ryan McGowan doubled Saints lead with a strike from 25 yards. Saints third goal came just after the hour mark as May got on the end of a Ballantyne through ball to send a low strike beyond Morrison.

Then in the final minute of the match Ballantyne got another assist as youngster Ben McCrystal showed great determination to get on the end of the midfielder’s through ball to score Saints fourth of the afternoon.

This afternoon’s result coupled with Stirling Albion’s 2-1 win at home to Stenhousemuir, means Saints are third in Group A with 3 points, 4 points behind Stirling Albion who are top of Group A but have played one game more.

Next up for Saints is a home game against Ayr United on Tuesday evening, kick off 7:45pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were back on the road this afternoon as they made the trip to Clackmannanshire to take on cinch League One side Alloa Athletic for their second Viaplay Cup Group A match. Saints lost their opening Viaplay Group A match 1-0 at Stenhousemuir last weekend and manager Steven MacLean made two changes to his starting eleven as Ross Sinclair and Alex Ferguson both dropped to the bench as MacLean handed a debut to new goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, whilst Luke Jephcott, who joined Saints this week on a two-year-deal, also made his debut. Alloa lost 2-1 at home to Stirling Albion on Tuesday evening and manager Brian Rice made five changes for this afternoon’s cup tie. Cammy O’Donnell, David Devine, Kevin Cawley, Kurtis Roberts and Quinn Coulson came in to replace David McKay, Josh Debayo, Steven Buchanan, Stefan Scougall and Euan Deveney who all dropped to the bench.

Stevie May got the match underway for Saints and the Perth side took the lead 57 seconds into the match. Great link up play down the right saw Luke Jephcott hold the ball up before playing a one -two with May. The former Plymouth Argyle forward then played a brilliant pass into Cammy Ballantyne who lobbed the ball over PJ Morrison to put Saints a goal up.  

The hosts looked to get back in the game on 18 minutes as Kurtis Roberts played a long ball forward to Bradley Rodden who took advantage of the bounce of the ball to get away from Andy Considine. The Wasps forward then broke into the box however, Dimitar Mitov made a comfortable save at his near post.

PHOTO: Cammy Ballantyne scores the opening goal of the afternoon

2 minutes later Saints doubled their lead as Ryan McGowan unleashed a low right footed strike from 25 yards which gave Morrison no chance as it nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Saints continued the pressure on the Alloa goal and on 26 minutes Ballantyne played in May however, his low strike across the goal went inches wide of the far post.

With 8 minutes of the first half remaining Alloa were awarded a free kick in a promising position after Kevin Cawley had been fouled by McGowan. Quinn Coulson took the free kick however, the midfielder couldn’t test Mitov as he curled his effort high into the Saints fans behind the goal.

Good play on 39 minutes saw Graham Carey play the ball into the feet of May however, his strike was blocked by Roberts. Play continued a May gathered the ball again however, he was fouled by Roberts just outside the box. Both Jephcott and Carey stood over the free kick as it was taken by the later as Carey sent a curling effort towards the top corner but Morrison made a great save to tip the ball behind for corner.

PHOTO: Ryan McGowan celebrates his goal

Saints created another chance on 41 minutes as Ballantyne played in May who tried to lob the ball over Morrison but the Alloa keeper was alert to the danger as he comfortably gathered the ball.

3 minutes into the second half The Wasps created a chance to half the deficit as Cammy O’Donnell’s cross from the left was met by Rodden however, the Alloa forward couldn’t direct his header on target.

On 50 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick after McGowan was fouled by Steven Hetherington. The free kick was played out wide to the right to Drey Wright who then cut inside before seeing his left footed effort go wide of the target.

The first booking of the game came on 61 minutes as Morgyn Neill was shown a yellow card for a foul on Jephcott.

2 minutes later May scored Saints third of the afternoon. A good passing move ended with Ballantyne playing in May who was one-on-one with Morrison and he slotted a low strike past the Alloa keeper and into the corner of the net.

PHOTO: Stevie May scores to make it 3-0

Saints were dominating possession as the hosts were being limited to strikes from distance and on 66 minutes Hetherington saw his strike from 25 yards comfortably gathered by Mitov.

Steven MacLean then made a double change on 69 minutes as Dan Phillips and Taylor Steven came on to replace Max Kucheriavyi and Luke Jephcott.

Phillips almost made an instant impact as Carey played a short corner to Ballantyne who picked out the unmarked Phillips however, the Trinidad and Tobago internationalist put his powerful strike from the edge of the box wide of the target.

Saints continued to create chances and on 78 minutes Steven did well to skip past O’Donnell before unleashing a strike which was saved by Morrison.

PHOTO: Luke Jephcott and David Devine battle for the ball

Saints introduced more fresh legs on 81 minutes as they made another double change as Callum Booth and Jackson Mylchreest came on to replace Tony Gallacher and Stevie May.

With 4 minutes remaining Saints made their final change of the game as Graham Carey, who had picked up a knock, was replaced Ben McCrystal and the youngster would make an instant impact as he scored Saints fourth goal of the afternoon in the final minute of the match. The young midfielder showed great determination to latch onto a Ballantyne through ball to slot it beyond the advancing Morrison to round off a comfortable afternoon in Clackmannanshire.  

PHOTO: Ben McCrystal scores Saints fourth goal

Alloa Athletic: Morrison, Virtanen (McKay 59’), O’Donnell, Devine, Neill, Hetherington, Cawley (Scougall 81’), Roberts, Sammon, Rodden, Coulson

Unused Substitutes: Burt (GK), Graham, Debayo, Buchanan, Rankin, Deveney

Booked: Neill

Saints: Mitov, Gallacher (Booth 81’), Considine, McGowan, Gordon, May (Mylchreest 81’), Carey (McCrystal 86’), Wright, Kucheriavyi (Phillips 69’), Jephcott (Steven 69’), Ballantyne

Unused Substitute: Sinclair (GK), Ferguson, Parker, Klimionek

Booked: Phillips

Scorers: Ballantyne (1’), McGowan (20’), May (63’), McCrystal (89’)

Referee: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 992

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Ben McCrystal celebrates his goal