Match report: Brechin City 1-2 Saints

It was a competitive first half and Saints took the lead in first half stoppage time as Graham Carey converted from the penalty spot after Benji Kimpioka had been tripped by Lewis Martin.

Saints doubled their lead on 65 minutes when captain Kyle Cameron produced a stunning finish from 25 yards which gave Lenny Wilson in the home goal no chance.

Saints created further chances to extend their lead however, former Saints youth player Spencer Moreland pulled a goal back for City in stoppage time as his strike went in off the post.

However, Saints saw the game out to leave Brechin with the 3 points.

Saints are back in action next Saturday as they welcome Greenock Morton to Perth for a Premier Sports Cup Group F match, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints got their Premier Sports Cup campaign underway this afternoon as they headed to Angus for a Group F game against Breedon Highland League side Brechin City at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park. Craig Levein handed competitive debuts to Josh Rae, Kyle Cameron, Jack Sanders, Aaron Essel and Josh McPake. Brechin City are managed by former Saints player Patrick Cregg and he included former Saints players Brad McKay and Ewan Loudon the Brechin City starting eleven for this afternoons cup match.

Benji Kimpioka got the match underway for Saints and the Perth side created the first chance of the match after 2 minutes. Graham Carey sent over an inviting ball from the left however, no one in a Saints shirt was able to get on the end of it. The loose ball was then gathered by Drey Wright and he crossed the ball back into the box however, his delivery was headed clear by City captain Euan Spark.

Drey Wright won Saints a free kick on 12 minutes after he was fouled by Ewan Loudon. Cammy MacPherson took the free kick however, his delivery into the Brechin box was headed clear by Brad McKay.

On 21 minutes the hosts were awarded a free kick after Sean Hastie was fouled by Kyle Cameron. Anthony McDonald took the free kick as the forward sent over an inviting ball into the Saints box which Spark was inches away from connecting with.

PHOTO: Cammy MacPherson and Fraser MacLeod

Brechin won another free kick on 34 minutes following a foul by Aaron Essel on Fraser MacLeod. McDonald again took the free kick however, this time his delivery into the box was headed clear by Jack Sanders.

4 minutes later Josh McPake unleashed a strike from distance which was blocked by McKay. Then on the stroke of half time a good passing move by Saints saw MacPherson play the ball out wide to Wright who burst down the right channel before playing the ball into Kimpioka however, the Swedish forward blasted his effort over the goal.

However, in first half stoppage time Saints were awarded a penalty after Kimpioka drew the foul from Lewis Martin. Carey stepped up to take the penalty and he sent his effort straight down the middle to give Saints a half time lead.  

PHOTO: Graham Carey scores from the penalty spot

4 minutes into the second half a MacPherson corner from the left was headed behind for another corner by McKay. This time Carey took the corner from the right and he went straight for goal from the corner as his effort landed on the roof of the Brechin net.

Saints came closer on 54 minutes as Kimpioka unleashed a strike from the edge of the box however, City keeper Lenny Wilson used his legs to block the shot.

Craig Levein then made a double change as Stevie May and Adama Sidibeh came on to replace Matt Smith and Josh McPake.

On 58 minutes Patrick unleashed a strike from distance which Josh Rae brilliantly turned behind for a corner. McDonald’s corner from the left was met by McKay however, his header was gathered by Rae.

Just before the hour mark Sidibeh saw his strike saved by Wilson. Whilst up the other end on 62 minutes Dayle Robertson connected with a delivery into the box however, his effort was comfortably gathered by Rae.

Saints though extended their lead on 65 minutes. Wright picked out Cameron as he switched play from the right to the left and the new Saints captain took a touch before unleashing a fantastic strike from 25 yards which flew into the top corner of the net past a helpless Wilson.  

PHOTO: Kyle Cameron scores to make it 2-0

Saints then made another change on 68 minutes as Taylor Steven replaced Benji Kimpioka.

The Perth side continued to apply pressure to the Brechin goal as on 69 minutes May unleashed a shot which sailed over the Stand. Then 2 minutes later Wright’s cross from the right was met by Steven however, Wilson comfortably gathered the header from the young forward.

Wilson was called into action again on 76 minutes as Saints continued their search for a third goal. A good move by Craig Levein’s men saw May switch the ball out to Carey on the left who advanced forward before sending over a delightful cross which Steven got on the end of however, Wilson made another good save, this time with his feet. Then 2 minutes later Sidibeh got on the end of a Carey cross from the right however, his header was saved by Wilson.

Saints made a double change with 10 minutes remaining as Cammy MacPherson and Drey Wright were replaced by Max Kucheriavyi and Fran Franczak.

PHOTO: Aaron Essel and Lewis Martin

In the final minute of the match Saints created another chance as Franczak burst into the box before seeing his shot saved by Wilson.

However, in the first minute of added on time City pulled a goal back. Marc Scott cut the ball back from the right to Spencer Moreland and the former Saints youth player saw his shot go in off the far post to setup a nervy final couple of minutes. However, Saints were able to see the game out to get their Premier Sports Cup campaign off to a winning start.

Brechin City: Wilson, Ferguson, Martin, McKay, Spark (McHattie 45’), Patrick, Scott, MacLeod (Logan 80’), Hastie (Robertson 53’), McDonald (Tosh 68’), Loudon (Moreland 45’)

Unused Substitutes: Cruickshank, Milne

Booked: Patrick

Scorer: Moreland (90+1’)

Saints: Rae, Cameron, Sanders, MacPherson (Kucheriavyi 80’), Carey, Wright (Franczak 80’), Essel, McClelland, M. Smith (May 55’), McPake (Sidibeh 56’), Kimpioka (Steven 68’)

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Parker, Bright, Olufunwa

Booked: Essel

Scorers: Carey (45+2’ pen), Cameron (65’)

Referee: Craig Napier

Attendance: 1,075

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Kyle Cameron celebrates his goal