Match report: Saints 1-0 Hamilton Accies

Accies started on the front foot as Nikolay Todorov twice came close in the opening minutes. However, Saints then went on to create some good chances to take the lead during the first half with Makenzie Kirk and Jonathan Svedberg coming close.

The visitors got a great chance to take the lead on 67 minutes as Oli Shaw burst through on goal however, Andy Fisher made a good save to deny the forward.

Kirk came close twice to putting Saints ahead as the second half progressed as firstly his shot was brilliantly blocked by Reghan Tumilty and then the forward headed narrowly wide from a Stephen Duke-McKenna cross.

The pressure from Saints eventually told as they secured the win with the only goal of the game on 87 minutes as a long range strike from Graham Carey was diverted past a stranded Dean Lyness by Sidibeh to book Saints spot in Monday’s quarter-final draw.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Kilmarnock next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Championship side Hamilton Accies to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for a fifth round Scottish Gas Scottish Cup tie. There were four changes to the Saints starting eleven which started the 1-0 win at St Mirren last weekend as Ross Sinclair, Jason Holt and Graham Carey dropped to the bench, whilst Barry Douglas missed out completely. They were replaced by Andy Fisher and Taylor Steven, whilst Daniels Balodis and Jonathan Svedberg came in to make their Saints debut. There was also a place on the bench for deadline day loan signings Zach Mitchell and Stephen Duke-McKenna. Hamilton Accies lost 2-0 at home to Ayr United last Saturday and manager John Rankin made one change as Ricki Lamie came in to replace Jackson Longridge who dropped to the bench.

Former Saints midfielder Connor Smith got the match underway for the visitors and the Championship side created the first chance of the match on 2 minutes as Nikolay Todorov saw his effort from distance turned behind by Andy Fisher. From the resultant corner Sean McGinty saw his header turned behind for another corner by Sven Sprangler. This time the delivery came from the left and it was flicked on by Ricki Lamie however, Todorov couldn’t made a clean connection at the far post as Fisher gathered the ball.

A good move by Saints on 4 minutes saw the ball played out wide to Drey Wright on the left and he advanced forward before playing over a lovely cross to Sam Curtis however, his header at the far post was blocked on the line by Stephen Hendrie. Then on 7 minutes a foul on Victor Griffith by Kyle MacDonald saw Saints awarded a free kick out wide on the left. It was taken by Elliot Watt and his delivery broke to Taylor Steven however, Dean Lyness was alert to the danger as he gathered the ball before Griffith could get on the end of it.

Then on 18 minutes Sprangler’s cross from the right was met by Makenzie Kirk however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.

PHOTO: Victor Griffith gets away from Ricki Lamie

Saints continued to create chances and on 24 minutes Wright cut in from the left before seeing his pass flicked on by Kirk to Griffith however, the Panamanian couldn’t find the target with his effort. Then shortly after Steven was next to try his luck however, Lyness got down well to save the shot from the winger.

Saints continued to turn the screw and with 4 minutes of the first half remaining Curtis picked out Kirk with his cross from the right however, the forward saw his header saved by Lyness. Then a minute later Kirk turned provider as his cutback from the byeline was met by Jonathan Svedberg however, the diving header from the Swedish midfielder was saved by Lyness.

Then in first half stoppage time Saints were awarded a free kick after Steven was fouled by Smith. Watt took the free kick and he sent a curling delivery into the box which Daniels Balodis came within inches of connecting with.

PHOTO: Taylor Steven is brough down by Connor Smith

Saints made a change before the second half got underway as Stephen Duke-McKenna came on to make his debut, replacing Sam Curtis.

Accies came close to breaking the deadlock on 54 minutes as a cross from Kyle McDonald picked out Sean McGinty however, the Accies captain saw his header go wide of the post.

On 63 minutes Svedberg unleashed a shot from distance which was straight at Lyness who comfortably gathered the ball. Shortly after Saints made their second change of the afternoon as Graham Carey came on to replace Jonathan Svedberg.

PHOTO: Elliot Watt gets away from Kevin O'Hara

Then on 67 minutes Accies got a great chance to take the lead as substitute Oli Shaw beat the offside trap to race in one-on-one with Fisher however, the Saints keeper made a good save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Saints continued the pressure on the Accies goal and on 71 minutes Duke-McKenna sent over an inviting ball into the box which broke to Kirk and the forward took a touch before unleashing a shot however, Accies substitute Regan Tumilty made a brilliant diving block to deny the Saints forward.

On 74 minutes a good cross field pass by Wright picked out Carey and the Irishman cut the ball back to Duke-McKenna and he sent over another delightful cross which Kirk headed narrowly wide of the far post.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk heads wide

Saints made a double change with 5 minutes remaining as Makenzie Kirk and Victor Griffith made way for Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark and it was Sidibeh who made an almost immediate impact as Saints took the lead 2 minutes later. Carey unleashed a strike from 30 yards and Sidibeh reacted quickly as he headed the ball into the net past a stranded Lyness for his first goal for the club since August.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh gets away from Dylan McGowan

Saints then made a final change as Zach Mitchell came on to make his debut to replace Taylor Steven.

5 minutes were added on at the end however, Saints comfortably saw the match out to progress to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh celebrates at full time with Daniels Balodis

Saints: Fisher, Mikulić, Balodis, Griffith (Clark 85’), Svedberg (Carey 65’), Wright, Steven (Mitchell 89’), Sprangler, Kirk (Sidibeh 85’), Curtis (Duke-McKenna 45’), Watt

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Holt, Franczak     

Booked: Watt

Scorer: Sidibeh (87’)

Hamilton Accies: Lyness, McGinty, McGowan, O’Hara (Shaw 59’), Bradley (Henderson 84’), Smith, Maguire, Lamie (Tumilty 59’), MacDonald, Todorov (McKinstry 59’), Hendrie (Longridge 59’)

Unused Substitutes: Albinson (GK), Barjonas, Gallacher

Booked: MacDonald, Hendrie

Referee: Nick Walsh         

Attendance: 3,095

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Adama Sidibeh celebrates his goal