Match report: Livingston 0-1 Saints

The hosts had chances to take the lead during the first half however, Andy Fisher made two brilliant saves to firstly deny Andrew Shinnie and then Danny Wilson.

Adama Sidibeh had the ball in the net for Saints on 20 minutes however, it was chalked off as the Gambian had been offside.

The only goal of the game came on 73 minutes as Carey tried his luck from distance, slotting home an unbelieve strike from 30 yards that went in off the crossbar.

Livi pressed late on for an equaliser however, Saints superbly saw the game out to book a return trip to Hampden Park to take on the reigning cup holders, Celtic in the semi-final.

Saints are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Aberdeen to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints headed to West Lothian this evening to take on Livingston in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. Simo Valakari made one change to the Saints starting eleven which drew 1-1 at Dundee nine days ago as Drey Wright dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Jonathan Svedberg. Livingston battled out a goalless draw with Raith Rovers last Wednesday evening and manager David Martindale made two changes to the Livingston starting eleven for tonight’s cup tie at the Home of the Set Fare Arena as Tete Yengi and Andrew Shinnie came in to replace Robbie Fraser, who dropped to the bench, whilst Stevie May couldn’t feature as he is on-loan from Saints.

It was a chilly evening as Andrew Shinnie got the match underway for the hosts.

The first chance of the match came on 2 minutes as Stephen Duke-McKenna burst down the left channel before sending over a cross into the box. The ball took an awkward bounce which prevented Jason Holt from making a clean connection with the ball as it was gathered by Livi keeper Jérôme Prior.

The first booking of the game came on 5 minutes as Duke-McKenna was shown a yellow card for catching Jamie Brandon. From the resultant free kick Robbie Muirhead’s delivery picked out Andrew Shinnie who nodded the ball goalwards however, Andy Fisher clawed the ball away with a strong left-hand.

The chances kept on coming for the hosts as on 13 minutes Macaulay Tait won possession from Sven Sprangler in midfield as he played in Shinnie however, he put his effort wide of the mark. Then 3 minutes later a long-throw from Muirhead was met by Danny Wilson and his header looked destined for the back of the net however, Fisher produced another strong save to claw the ball away.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh shrugs off Christian Montaño

Livingston created another chance to break the deadlock on 19 minutes as a Stephen Kelly’s corner from the left was met by Ryan McGowan however, the former Saints defender put his header wide of the target.

Saints thought they had taken the lead on 20 minutes as Sam Curtis curled the ball into the path of Adama Sidibeh who slotted it home from six yards however, the celebrations were short lived as the goal was chalked off as the Gambian had been in an offside position.

On 26 minutes neat footwork from Tete Yengi played in Muirhead however, he blazed his effort wide from six yards. The pressure on the Saints goal continued and a minute later Scott Pittman saw his strike go inches over the crossbar.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining a Shinnie cross from the right was met by Muirhead however, the forward put his header wide of the far post.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh scores but is chalked off for offside

Saints made a change before the second half got underway as Drey Wright came on to replace Stephen Duke-McKenna.

On 54 minutes Svedberg won Saints a free kick just inside the Livi half. It was taken by Wright and his curling delivery into the box was flicked on by Daniels Balodis before Kirk’s header was saved by Prior.

3 minutes later the home side created a chance of their own as Yengi burst to the bye-line before seeing his cross into the Saints box headed behind for a corner by Barry Douglas. Then on 66 minutes Yengi was involved in the thick of the action again, this time picking out Kelly however, the midfielder put his effort over from 18 yards.

PHOTO: Drey Wright and Jamie Brandon

Saints made another change on 69 minutes as Graham Carey came on to replace Jonathan Svedberg.

A minute later Saints were awarded a free kick after Wright was fouled by Scott Pittman. Carey took the free kick and his delivery into the box picked out Balodis however, he couldn’t get his effort on target.

The breakthrough finally came on 73 minutes and what a goal it was. Carey played in Wright down the left channel and the versatile winger’s ball into the box was cut out by Wilson. The ball then broke to Carey and he took a touch before unleashing an unbelieve rocket from 30 yards which flew into the top corner of the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Now with the goal advantage Saints had chances to end the game as a contest. With 10 minutes remaining Wright’s cross into the Livi box was met by Sidibeh however, his diving header was straight at Prior. Then on 81 minutes Carey picked out Jason Holt but the midfielder couldn’t test Prior with his effort. Shortly after a cutback from Holt was met by Wright however, he lifted his effort over the bar.

PHOTO: Graham Carey scores for Saints

The hosts made several changes in the closing stages as they looked to get the goal to take the match to extra time however, Saints superbly saw the game out. There was 3 minutes added on at the end and in the first minute of added on time Saints came close to doubling their lead as Carey played in Kirk however, his effort was saved by Prior. Despite some late pressure Saints comfortably dealt with it to see the game out and book a return trip to Hampden Park for a semi-final match against Celtic.

PHOTO: Graham Carey celebrates with the Saints fans at full time

Livingston: Prior, McGowan, Pittman (Fraser 75’), Yengi, Kelly, Brandon (Ubochioma 85’), Shinnie (Mcalear 85’), Muirhead (Finlayson 71’), Tait, Montaño (Clarke 86’), Wilson

Unused Substitutes: Hamilton (GK), Smith, Nottingham

Booked: McGowan

Saints: Fisher, Balodis, Mitchell, Holt, Svedberg (Carey 69’), Sidibeh, Duke-McKenna (Wright 45’), Sprangler, Kirk, Douglas, Curtis

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Clark, Steven, McPake, Kimpioka, Watt  

Booked: Duke-McKenna

Scorer: Carey (73’)

Referee: Don Robertson   

Attendance: TBC

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Graham Carey celebrates his goal with Jason Holt and Drey Wright