Match report: Saints 2-1 Motherwell

Motherwell took the lead after 4 minutes when Andy Halliday converted a penalty following a VAR check for a handball by Sven Sprangler.

Saints came back in the second half and two late goals completed a fantastic comeback. Firstly, Taylor Steven slotted home from close range on 86 minutes after Sam Curtis had sent the ball into the danger area. Then 2 minutes later Saints completed the comeback when Božo Mikulić smashed home the winner following a Graham Carey corner.

Today’s win closes the gap on eleventh placed Kilmarnock to seven points.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Paisley next Saturday to take on St Mirren, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Motherwell to McDiarmid Park for the second week in a row this afternoon and this time it was for a William Hill Premiership match. For the second part of the doubled header against the Fir Park side Simo Valkari made one change to the side which won 1-0 against the Steelmen in the Scottish Cup last weekend as Max Kucheriavyi came in to replace Jack Sanders who missed out completely. Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell made six changes to the side which started at McDiarmid Park last Saturday as Ellery Balcombe, Stephen O’Donnell, Liam Gordon, Tom Sparrow, Harry Paton and Tony Watt came in to replace Kofi Balmer, Dan Casey, Kai Andrews and Ewan Wilson, who all dropped to the bench. Whilst Archie Mair and Jack Vale missed out completely, with the latter suspended after getting sent off in the Steelmen’s last William Hill Premiership match against Hibs a fortnight ago.

Harry Paton got the match underway for the visitors and the Fir Park side were appealing for a penalty in the first minute as Sven Sprangler appeared to catch the ball with a flailing arm. Referee Kevin Clancy was called over to review the incident by VAR official Gavin Duncan and following the check Clancy pointed to the spot. Andy Halliday stepped up to take the penalty and he sent Andy Fisher the wrong way as he slotted the ball home to give Motherwell an early lead.

On 13 minutes Motherwell created a chance to double their lead as a Marvin Kaleta ball from the left played in Tawanda Maswanhise however, the strike from the Zimbabwean went wide of the target.

Then 2 minutes later Saints created their first chance of the match as Victor Griffith saw his effort saved by Ellery Balcombe as the loose ball was turned behind for a corner by Shane Blaney. Graham Carey took the corner from the right and his delivery was met by Sprangler however, he could direct his header on target as the Motherwell rearguard cleared the danger.

PHOTO: Graham Carey is fouled by Shane Blaney

With 11 minutes of the first half remaining Tom Sparrow picked out Tony Watt on the edge of the area however, the former Saints forward saw his shot saved by Fisher. Then a minute later Paton got on the end of a Maswanhise cross however, he couldn’t find the target with his effort.

Motherwell created another chance on 40 minutes as Halliday saw his shot deflected over for a corner by Božo Mikulić.

However, a minute later Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the right after Carey was fouled by Paton. Carey took the free kick himself however, his curling effort went wide of the target. Then just before half time good build-up play by Saints ended with Jason Holt playing in Carey however the Irishman blasted his strike high into the North Stand.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk and Liam Gordon

Saints made a change at the break as Adama Sidibeh came on to replace Max Kucheriavyi.

Saints came close to drawing level on 48 minutes however, Ellery Balcombe made a good save as he clawed away a Carey effort. Sidibeh then tried to tuck the ball home from close range however, the Steelmen got bodies back as they turned the ball behind for a corner.

On 64 minutes Carey’s cross into the box from the right was met by Kirk however, the young forward glanced his header wide of the far post.

Saints then made another change as Jason Holt made wat for Nicky Clark.

Maswanhise was looking lively up top for the visitors and with 14 minutes remaining the winger broke into the Saints box before seeing his effort turned behind for a corner by Barry Douglas.

Play quickly switched to the other end as a minute later a great long cross field ball forward by Drey Wright played in Clark and the forward broke into the box however, he put his effort narrowly wide of the target.

PHOTO: Nicky Clark fires narrowly wide

On 80 minutes Saints made their third change of the game as Taylor Steven was introduced into the action, replacing Barry Douglas.

Saints were dominating possession during the second half and on 81 minutes a Carey corner from the right was met by Kirk and his header came back off the post and from the follow-up Sidibeh saw effort saved by Balcombe.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh is denied by Ellery Balcombe

Motherwell had the chance to end the game as a contest on 82 minutes as a long ball forward by Balcombe played in substitute Luke Armstrong however, the on-loan Carlisle United forward dragged his effort wide.

Saints continued to knock at the door and shortly after Steven got on the end of a Sidibeh pass to unleash a left footed shot from the centre of the box which was turned behind for a corner by Motherwell substitute John Koutroumbis.

With 4 minutes remaining Saints were level. Sam Curtis put the ball into the danger area as Clark went down in the box however, Steven played on and turned the ball home from close range.

PHOTO: Taylor Steven equalises for Saints

Then remarkably 2 minutes later Saints got a second. This time a Carey corner from the right was floated into the box and Mikulić smashed the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations in the home end.

6 minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end and in the third minute of added on time Clark played in Sidibeh however, the Gambian fired over the bar.

There was one final change for Saints as Fran Franczak came on to replace Makenzie Kirk as Saints comfortably saw out the final couple of minutes to secure a vital 3 points.

PHOTO: Božo Mikulić scores the winner for Saints

Saints: Fisher, Mikulić, Griffith, Holt (Clark 65’), Carey, Wright, Kucheriavyi (Sidibeh 45’), Sprangler, Kirk (Franczak 90+6’), Douglas (Steven 80’), Curtis

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Raymond, Essel, Smith, Kimpioka    

Booked: Kucheriavyi

Scorers: Steven (86’), Mikulić (88’)

Motherwell: Balcombe, O’Donnell, Gordon, Sparrow (Thompson 60’), Halliday (Zdravkovski 67’), Paton (Andrews 78’), Nicholson (Armstrong 67’), Blaney, Kaleta (Koutroumbis 78’), Watt, Maswanhise

Unused Substitutes: Connelly (GK), Balmer, Casey, Wilson

Booked: Sparrow, Thompson, Paton

Scorer: Halliday (4’ pen)

Referee: Kevin Clancy

VAR: Gavin Duncan          

Attendance: 3,892

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Božo Mikulić and Taylor Steven celebrate at full time