Saints 2-1 Motherwell

The Steelmen had taken the lead on 12 minutes when Kevin van Veen sent a low 25-yard effort into the bottom left corner of the net.

However, Saints fought back and Callum Hendry had Saints level on 21 minutes with a brilliant front post header after getting on the end of a Melker Hallberg cross.

Motherwell came within inches of regaining the lead on 79 minutes when a low strike from substitute Kaiyne Woolery came back off the post. Hendry then got his and Saints second of the game in stoppage time with a brilliant left footed volley to seal a late win for Callum Davidson’s side.

Saints are back in action in a fortnight when they welcome Livingston to Perth, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

It was a glorious sunny spring afternoon in Perth today as Saints welcomed Motherwell to McDiarmid Park. Saints last game was a goalless draw with Hibs at Easter Road a fortnight ago and there were three changes to the Saints starting eleven this afternoon. Shaun Rooney, Murray Davidson and Nadir Çiftçi came in to replace Tom Sang, Cammy MacPherson and Glenn Middleton. Motherwell’s Scottish Cup campaign came to an end last weekend as they lost 2-1 to Hibs at Fir Park and manager Graham Alexander also made three changes to his starting eleven. Bevis Mugabi, who was sent off in the first minute of the match last weekend for a studs-up lunge on Josh Doig, Nathan McGinley and Jordan Roberts all dropped out and they were replaced by Stephen O’Donnell, Jake Carroll and Connor Shields.

Murray Davidson got the match underway for Saints and it was an even opening ten minutes to the match. Then on 12 minutes Kevin van Veen gave the visitors the lead. Jake Carroll played the ball to the Dutchman who cut in from the left and created space for himself before sending a low 25-yard effort into the bottom left corner of the net.

The first booking of the game came on 16 minutes as Davidson was given a yellow card for a tackle on Carroll.

Saints though were back on level terms on 21 minutes. The ball was played out wide to the right to Melker Hallberg and the midfielder took a touch before delivering an inviting ball into the box as Callum Hendry got in front of his man to send a looping header beyond Liam Kelly and into the net.

PHOTO: Callum Hendry celebrates his goal

On 37 minutes Joe Efford played the ball into the feet of Connor Shields but his effort from a tight angle was comfortably gathered by Zander Clark.

The next booking of the game came on 41 minutes as Shaun Rooney was booked for a foul on Liam Donnelly and then just before half time there was a coming together off the ball between Dan Cleary and Kevin van Veen and both players were booked by referee David Munro.

PHOTO: Juhani Ojala tries to close down Callum Hendry

Saints were out the traps early in the second half as on 47 minutes Rooney sent over an inviting cross which was cut out at the near post by Rickie Lamie for a corner. Then six minutes later Saints were awarded a free kick after Carroll had fouled Hallberg. Cleary took the free kick as he sent the ball deep into the Motherwell box and it was headed back by Nadir Çiftçi to Hallberg but the strike from the Swedish midfielder took a deflection off a Motherwell player which took the sting out of the strike as Kelly gathered.

With manager Callum Davidson watching the game from home after testing positive for Covid-19 Steven MacLean was leading the backroom staff from the technical area this afternoon and Saints made their first change of the match on 66 minutes as Stevie May came on to replace Nadir Çiftçi. Another change followed shortly after as Jacob Butterfield was introduced into the action, replacing Murray Davidson.

The Steelmen, who have not won a league game since a 2-1 win against Livingston on Boxing Day, then made a change of their own on 77 minutes as Kaiyne Woolery came on to replace Jake Carroll and he almost made an instant impact within two minutes of coming on. The forward cut in from the left before seeing his low strike from a tight angle hit the post.

The visitors were then awarded a free kick after Liam Donnelly was fouled by Stevie May. Van Veen took the free kick but Clark was equal to the effort as he comfortably gathered. Play then quickly switched to the other end as Rooney’s shot was turned behind for a corner by Juhani Ojala. Hallberg took the corner and his delivery from the right was met by Jamie McCart but the defender saw his header go inches over.

PHOTO: Shaun Rooney battles with Dean Cornelius

With 5 minutes remaining Well hit Saints on a quick counter attack and it ended with Woolery getting booked after the Englishman dived in the Saints box.

Another Saints change came on 88 minutes as James Brown, who has been called up to the Malta squad for their friendlies against Azerbaijan and Kuwait, came on for Shaun Rooney.

Saints continued to search for a late winner and it came in the first minute of stoppage time as Butterfield’s ball in behind the Motherwell defence picked out Hendry who sent a fantastic left footed half volley looping over Kelly and into the net.

Motherwell though almost got a very late equaliser but Zander Clark made an excellent save, tipping van Veen’s free kick over the cross bar as Saints saw the game out to secure another valuable three points.  

PHOTO: Callum Hendry celebrates at full time

Saints: Clark, Rooney (Brown 88), McCart, Gordon, Cleary, Gallacher, Davidson (Butterfield 74), Hallberg, Crawford, Hendry, Çiftçi (May 66)

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Mahon, Booth, Gilmour, Middleton, Bair

Booked: Davidson, Rooney, Cleary

Scorers: Hendry (21, 90+1)

Motherwell: Kelly, O’Donnell, Ojala, Lamie, Solholm Johansen, Carroll (Woolery 77), Cornelius, Donnelly, Efford, van Veen, Shields

Unused Substitutes: Fox (GK), Amaluzor, Shaw, Tierney, Goss, Slattery, Grimshaw, Nirennold

Booked: van Veen, Woolery

Scorer: van Veen (12)  

Referee: David Munro

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Callum Hendry scores to seal a dramatic late win for Saints