Match report: St Mirren 0-1 Saints

The hosts had the better of the chances during the first half however, Simo Valakari’s side defended resolutely.  

Greg Kiltie thought he had made the breakthrough for St Mirren on 68 minutes but his goal was chalked off by referee Dan McFarlane as Jason Holt had been fouled in the build-up by Toyosi Olusanya.

The only goal of the game came on 71 minutes as Mikulić slotted the ball beyond Zach Hemming following a Graham Carey corner.

Today’s result closes the gap on eleventh placed Ross County to five points.

Saints are back in action next Saturday as they welcome Hamilton Accies to McDiarmid Park for a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fifth round tie, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were in Paisley this afternoon as they took on St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium. There were two changes to the Saints starting eleven which defeated Motherwell 2-1 last weekend as Max Kucheriavyi dropped to the bench, whilst Andy Fisher missed out due to illness and they were replaced by Ross Sinclair and Elliot Watt, who was making his debut after joining Saints this week on-loan from Burton Albion for the remainder of the season. St Mirren defeated Aberdeen 3-0 at Pittodrie last Saturday and manager Stephen Robinson made one change as Elvis Bwomono came in to replace teenager Callum Penman who dropped to the bench.

Killian Phillips got the match underway for St Mirren and the hosts created the first chance of the match on 5 minutes. A good through ball by Caolan Boyd-Munce played in Mikael Mandron who was in one-on-one with Ross Sinclair however, the Saints keeper made a good save to deny the French forward although the Main Stand assistant raised his flag to indicate that the striker had been offside.

On 19 minutes the Buddies were awarded a free kick out wide on the right after Elvis Bwomono had been fouled by Victor Griffith. Boyd-Munce took the free kick and his deep delivery into the Saints box was headed back across the box by Phillips however, Sinclair was alert to the danger as he comfortably gathered the ball.

PHOTO: Graham Carey gets away from Elvis Bwomono

St Mirren were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area on 27 minutes after Toyosi Olusanya was brought down by Jason Holt although it appeared the Saints midfielder may have won the ball. Boyd-Munce took the free kick however, he was unable to test Sinclair as he hit his effort straight into the Saints wall. Then on 32 minutes Olusanya played in Mandron and the forward unleashed a left-footed effort which was saved by Sinclair. Moments later the hosts were appealing for a penalty when Bwomono went down in the box under the challenge from Drey Wright but the penalty wasn’t given by referee Dan McFarlane with the decision backed up by a VAR check by Alan Muir.

The hosts were creating the better chances during the first half and on 43 minutes Mark O’Hara unleashed an effort which was straight at Sinclair.

There was 3 minutes added on at the end of the first half and in the first minute of added on time a good move by Saints saw them advance forward before Graham Carey sent over an inviting delivery into the box which was cut out for a corner by Richard Taylor.

PHOTO: Barry Douglas and Killian Phillips

A O’Hara free kick 10 minutes into the second half saw the ball break to Boyd-Munce outside the box however, the Northern Irish midfielder couldn’t test Sinclair with his effort.

On the hour mark Carey unleashed a powerful strike which was parried by Zach Hemming and the loose ball broke Makenzie Kirk however, the Buddies number one was up quick to tip his header round the post for a corner.

Saints were coming more into the game in the second half and on 63 minutes Griffith played in Carey who got another sight of goal as he unleashed an effort from 25 yards which went over the crossbar.

PHOTO: Elliot Watt is tackled by Killian Phillips

A minute later Boyd-Munce unleashed another shot at the Saints goal but again the midfielder fired his effort high over the crossbar. Then on 68 minutes the hosts thought they had broken the deadlock as Greg Kiltie turned the ball home from close range however, the goal was ruled out as Olusanya had fouled Holt in the build-up.  

The breakthrough finally came on 71 minutes as Saints took the lead. Carey sent over a corner from the right and it was kept alive as Holt sent the ball back into the box and it broke to Božo Mikulić who knocked the ball home to spark wild celebrations amongst the Saints fans behind the goal.

Saints then made a double change as Taylor Steven and Adama Sidibeh came on to replace Graham Carey and Makenzie Kirk.

PHOTO: Božo Mikulić scores for Saints

On 77 minutes a Mikulić clearance was intercepted by Taylor and the defender played in Phillips down the left channel who then sent over an inviting delivery into the box however, no one in a St Mirren short could get on the end of it as the ball went behind for a goal kick.

With 5 minutes remaining Drey Wright went on a surging run from deep in his own half as he broke forward to the edge of the Buddies box before unleashing a shot which was saved by Hemming.

4 minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end however, Saints comfortably saw the game out to secure another vital 3 points which reduces the gap at the bottom to five points.

PHOTO: Božo Mikulić celebrates at full time

St Mirren: Hemming, Tanser, Taylor, O’Hara (Kiltie 64’), Mandron (Scott 63’), Gogić, Boyd-Munce (Smyth 82’), Olusanya (Mooney 83’), Fraser, Bwomono (Oseni 82’), Phillips

Unused Substitutes: Urminský (GK), John, Kenny, Penman

Booked: Phillips

Saints: Sinclair, Mikulić, Griffith, Holt, Carey (Steven 74’), Wright, Sprangler, Kirk (Sidibeh 74’), Douglas, Curtis, Watt

Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Hepburn (GK), Clark, Kucheriavyi, Smith, McPake, Franczak

Booked: Sprangler

Scorer: Mikulić (71’)

Referee: Dan McFarlane

VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 6,298 (429 Saints fans)

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Božo Mikulić celebrates his goal