Match report: Saints 1-0 Ross County

Saints dominated possession and had numerous chances to take the lead however, Jordan Amissah put in a strong performance in the Ross County goal.

The only goal of the game came on 66 minutes as Stephen Duke-McKenna saw his shot parried by Amissah, but Makenzie Kirk reacted quickest to the loose ball to tuck home the rebound.

This evening’s result coupled with Dundee losing 2-1 at Motherwell means Saints have closed the gap on their Tayside rivals to 3 points.

Next up for Saints is a big Tayside derby at Dundee on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

It was a quick return to action for Saints this evening as they welcomed Ross County to McDiarmid Park. There were four changes to the side which started the 2-1 defeat at home to Hearts on Sunday as Barry Douglas, Elliot Watt and Graham Carey all dropped to the bench, whilst Božo Mikulić missed out after damaging his ACL in training and is facing being out of action for nine months. They were replaced by Jason Holt and Makenzie Kirk, whilst there were first starts for Zach Mitchell and Stephen Duke-McKenna. Ross County came from behind to defeat Dundee 3-1 on Saturday and manager Don Cowie decided to go with the same eleven which started at the Global Energy Stadium at the weekend.

Adama Sidibeh got the match underway for Saints and the Perth side created the first chance of the match on 2 minutes. Daniels Balodis played the ball forward to Makenzie Kirk and the forward fizzed in a shot from the byeline which was saved at the near post by Jordan Amissah.

A good run on 10 minutes by Sam Curtis saw the Irish defender burst forward before being upended by Noah Chilvers. The resultant free kick was taken by Stephen Duke-McKenna and he saw his curling effort from 25 yards, which looked destined for the top corner, tipped around the post by Amissah.

It was a positive start by Saints and on 17 minutes Curtis unleashed an effort which was deflected behind for a corner by Kacper Łopata. Then on 24 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the left after Jason Holt was fouled by Nohan Kenneh. Duke-McKenna sent over the free kick into the County as he tried to pick out Kirk however, the ball was eventually gathered by Amissah.  

PHOTO: Stephen Duke-McKenna's free kick is tipped behind by Jordan Amissah

With 11 minutes of the first half remaining a good break by Saints saw Duke-McKenna play in Kirk who broke into the box before seeing his effort saved by Amissah. Saints had County under the cosh as they struggled to clear their lines and 3 minutes later Jonathan Svedberg went for the spectacular as he sent an acrobatic overhead kick towards Amissah’s goal however, it was a comfortable save for the Staggies keeper.

Saints continued to push for the breakthrough and on 44 minutes Svedberg sent over an inch perfect ball into the box from the left for Curtis however, Amissah produced a brilliant stop to save the diving header from the on-loan Sheffield United defender.

Saints made a change at the break as Barry Douglas came on to replace Drey Wright.

PHOTO: Jonathan Svedberg attempts and overhead kick at goal

The Staggies created the first chance of the second half as on 46 minutes County substitute Jordan White laid the ball back to Connor Randall and the Ross County captain saw his effort go narrowly wide of the far post.

The visitors created another chance to take the lead on 53 minutes as a corner from the left by Chilvers was met by Elijah Campbell however, his header was straight at Andy Fisher who comfortably held the ball.

Saints made their second change of the game on 58 minutes as Graham Carey came on to replace Jonathan Svedberg.

The breakthrough finally came on 66 minutes as Saints took a deserved lead. McKenna-Duke did well to win the ball from Akil Wright in the box before seeing his shot saved by Amissah however, the loose ball broke to Kirk and he fired the rebound into the net.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk scores for Saints

On 73 minutes Carey sent over a fantastic cross field ball picking out Duke-McKenna on the left-hand side. The winger then burst into the County box before seeing his effort deflected behind for a corner by Wright.

Saints then made another change as Adama Sidibeh was replaced by Nicky Clark.

Saints continued to create chances to extend their lead as on 78 minutes Carey saw his strike go narrowly over. Then 5 minutes later a Duke-McKenna corner from the left was met by Clark however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.  

PHOTO: Nicky Clark and Nohan Kenneth

As the match edged towards the stoppage time County started to pose a threat coming forward as on 89 minutes from just inside the box Kenneh struck a powerful low effort however, Fisher got down well to save as 4 minutes were added on at the end. Despite a late County appeal for a penalty deep into stoppage time Saints were able to see the game out to secure a deserved 3 points to close the gap on eleventh placed Dundee to 3 points, setting up an intriguing Tayside Derby on Saturday.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk celebrates at full time

Saints: Fisher, Balodis, Mitchell, Holt, Svedberg (Carey 58’), Wright (Douglas 45’), Sidibeh (Clark 74’), Duke-McKenna, Sprangler, Kirk, Curtis

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Steven, Smith, McPake, Watt, Franczak      

Booked: Douglas, Fisher

Scorer: Kirk (66’)

Ross County: Amissah, Wright, Randall, Hale (White 45’), Chilvers (Nisbet 65’), Phillips (Robesten 45’), Tomkinson, Harmon (Ashworth 76’), Campbell, Łopata (Grieves 76’), Kenneh

Unused Substitutes: Laidlaw (GK), Allardice, Smith, Macleod

Booked: None

Referee: Dan McFarlane

VAR: Nick Walsh            

Attendance: 3,576

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Makenzie Kirk celebrates his goal