Match report: Saints 1-0 Motherwell

The only goal of the game came on 9 minutes as Makenzie Kirk slotted home from close range following a Graham Carey corner.

Saints had chances to extend their lead during the first half as debutant Victor Griffith saw his effort saved by the legs of Motherwell keeper Archie Mair, whilst Kirk put his effort wide after being played in by Jason Holt.

Carey came close to extending Saints lead on 55 minutes as his curling effort came back off the post.

Motherwell came more into the match as the second half progressed however, despite their late surge they couldn’t create anything to trouble Andy Fisher as Saints saw the game out to book their place in Monday’s draw.

Next up for Saints is they welcome Motherwell back to Perth next Saturday for a William Hill Premiership match, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

It was the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fourth round weekend today as Saints welcomed Motherwell to McDiarmid Park. Saints lost 3-1 to Rangers in the William Hill Premiership last Sunday and head coach Simo Valakari made five changes to the side which started at Ibrox for this afternoon’s cup tie as Fran Franczak, Max Kucheriavyi, Nicky Clark and Benji Kimpioka all dropped to the bench, whilst Aaron Essel missed out completely. New signings Victor Griffith and Sam Curtis both came into the starting eleven to make their debuts and they were joined by Jason Holt, Graham Carey and Barry Douglas. Motherwell came into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Hibs last Saturday and manager Stuart Kettlewell made four changes to his starting eleven. Dan Casey, Sam Nicholson, Marvin Kaleta and Tawanda Maswanhise came in to replace Stephen O’Donnell, Tom Sparrow and Tony Watt, who all dropped to the bench, whilst Paul McGinn missed out due to injury.

Before the match following his passing yesterday, there was a minute’s applause for Denis Law.

PHOTO: A minute’s applause was held in memory of Denis Law

Graham Carey got the match underway for Saints and they made a good start to the match as they took the lead on 9 minutes. Good play down the right flank saw Sam Curtis send over a cross into the box which was turned behind for a corner by Kofi Balmer. Carey took the corner from the right and his delivery was flicked on by Victor Griffith which was saved by Archie Mair however, Makenzie Kirk reacted quickest to the loose ball to slot it into the net from close range.

Saints should have doubled their lead on 12 minutes as a through ball from Carey played in Griffith however, Mair made a good save with his legs to deny the Panamanian midfielder.

Saints were playing with a swagger and on 16 minutes a brilliant backheel from Curtis played in Drey Wright, who sent over a delightful cross into the Well box which Kirk was inches away from connecting with.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk scores for Saints

With 20 minutes on the clock determined play by Kirk saw the in-form forward win a free kick out wide on the left after he had been fouled by Balmer. The free kick was taken by Carey however, the Motherwell defence were able to clear the danger.

The Steelmen got their first sight of goal on 23 minutes however, the shot from Tawanda Maswanhise was comfortably saved by Andy Fisher.

Just before the half an hour mark Saints created another great chance to extend their lead. A quick break by the Perth side saw Kirk latch onto a pass from Jason Holt and burst into the box however, he dragged his shot wide with Griffith free in the centre of the box.

A good cross field ball by Sven Sprangler on 37 minutes played in Curtis who broke into the box and produced a neat turn before going down under the challenge from Balmer however, referee John Beaton wasn’t interested in the Saints appeals for a penalty as he waved play on.

PHOTO: Sam Curtis is brought down in the box by Kofi Balmer

The chances for Saints continued and great play by Sprangler with 3 minutes of the first half remaining saw the midfielder play in Kirk and his cross was met by Carey however, he blasted his effort over the crossbar.

There was one minute of stoppage time added on at the end of the first half as Saints created one final chance before half time as Kirk did well to win the ball in midfield before unleashing a strike from distance that didn’t trouble Mair in the Motherwell goal.

The Steelmen made a double change at the break as they introduced Tom Sparrow and Stephen O’Donnell into the action, replacing Kai Andrews and Dan Casey.

Saints continued their good play at the start of the second half as on 55 minutes Božo Mikulić played the ball forward to Carey and the Irishman came within inches of getting on the scoresheet as he cut inside from the right before unleashing a curling effort from 25 yards which hit the post. Then 2 minutes later a Carey corner from the left was played short to Barry Douglas and the left-back sent over an inviting delivery into the Motherwell box which Jack Sanders got on the end of however, his header didn’t trouble Mair.

Shortly after Griffith ended up in John Beaton’s book for a foul on Sam Nicholson.

PHOTO: Graham Carey's shot hits the post

Saints made a double change on 66 minutes as Nicky Clark and Benji Kimpioka came on to replace Graham Carey and Makenzie Kirk.

Motherwell had more possession in the second half and on 68 minutes Jack Vale hooked his effort over the bar.

PHOTO: Victor Griffith and Kofi Balmer

The Fir Park side made further changes as Callum Slattery, Ebiye Moses and former Saints forward Tony Watt were all introduced into the action as they tried to get back into the cup-tie.

The closing stages of the match saw Motherwell press for an equaliser however, they came up against a well organised Saints defence as the Steelmen couldn’t create anything of significance to trouble Fisher in the Saints goal as Simo Valakari’s side progressed to the next round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.

PHOTO: Head coach Simo Valakari celebrates with the fans at full time

Saints: Fisher, Mikulić, Sanders, Griffith, Holt, Carey (Clark 66’), Wright, Sprangler, Kirk (Kimpioka 66’), Douglas, Curtis

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Raymond, Sidibeh, Kucheriavyi, Steven, Franczak    

Booked: Griffith, Kimpioka

Scorer: Kirk (9’)

Motherwell: Mair, Balmer, Halliday, Casey (O’Donnell 45’), Nicholson (Slattery 68’), Blaney, Kaleta, Wilson, Andrews (Sparrow 45’), Maswanhise (Ebiye 74’), Vale (Watt 74’)

Unused Substitutes: McConnell (GK), Zdravkovski, Koutroumbis

Booked: Blaney, Sparrow

Referee: John Beaton         

Attendance: 3,892

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Makenzie Kirk celebrates his goal