Match report: St Mirren 3-1 Saints

Benji Kimpioka grabbed the opening goal on 8 minutes as he flicked the ball home from close range which was given following a VAR review having initially been disallowed for offside.

Kimpioka thought he had doubled Saints advantage on 19 minutes however, the goal was chalked off as Kyle Cameron, who had setup the Saints forward, had been narrowly offside.

Scott Tanser then levelled the match on 30 minutes as the former Saints player curled a fine effort into the top corner of the net.

Saints were denied another goal by VAR just before half time as Adama Sidibeh’s sublime chip over Ellery Balcombe was ruled out as the Gambian forward was deemed to have fouled Charles Dunne in the build-up.

St Mirren took the lead on 57 minutes thanks to a deflected header from captain Mark O’Hara.

Killian Phillips saw a third goal disallowed by VAR for a foul on Kimpioka before the Paisley side sealed the points in stoppage time thanks to a strike from Jonah Ayunga.

Saints are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Hearts to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were back on the road this evening as they headed to Paisley to take on St Mirren at The SMiSA Stadium. There was one change to the side which started Saturday’s 2-1 win at Dundee as Kyle Cameron came in to replace the injured Andre Raymond. There was also a space on the bench for new signing Barry Douglas. St Mirren lost 2-1 to Rangers on Sunday and manager Stephen Robinson decided to go with the same team which started at Ibrox for this evening’s William Hill Premiership match.  

Killian Phillips got the match underway for the hosts and they created the first chance of the match after 4 minutes. Former Saints player Scott Tanser broke down the left channel before picking out Elvis Bwomono with his delivery into the box however, Ross Sinclair made a smart save to deny the Ugandan defender.

The breakthrough came on 8 minutes as Saints took the lead. Matt Smith’s corner from the right was directed goalwards by Jack Sanders and Benji Kimpioka turned the ball home from close range. The goal had originally been disallowed for offside however, following a 3 minute VAR review the decision was overturned and the goal awarded.

On 18 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick in a promising position after Kimpioka had been fouled by Bwomono. Smith took the free kick and his floated delivery into the box was headed across the box by Kyle Cameron and Kimpioka did well to take the ball down before drilling a low strike beyond Ellery Balcombe and into the net. However, following another VAR review the goal was disallowed as Cameron had been offside when the free kick was taken.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka celebrates his goal with Nicky Clark

The hosts pushed to get back in the game and on 23 minutes Phillips blazed an effort wide of the target. However, on the half an hour mark the Buddies were level. Following a corner the hosts were appealing for a penalty after a coming together between Toyosi Olusanya and Matt Smith however, play went on as the ball broke to the edge of the area and Tanser curled a fine effort past Ross Sinclair and into the top corner of the net from 20 yards.

The momentum now shifted towards St Mirren although Saints came back and just before half time Adama Sidibeh had the ball in the back of the net with a sublime chip over Balcombe however, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a trip by the forward on Charles Dunne in the build-up.

5 minutes were added on at the end of the first half and deep into the stoppage time Saints were awarded a free kick after Sidibeh had been fouled by Dunne. Smith took the free kick and his delivery was met by Sidibeh but his header from the centre of the box went wide of the target.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka scores but this effort is ruled out for offside

The hosts made a quick start to the second half and on 50 minutes Phillips saw his curling effort tipped onto the crossbar by Sinclair. The ball then broke to Olusanya, but his follow-up effort was deflected behind for a corner by Jack Sanders.

The pressure on the Saints goal continued and 2 minutes later Tanser saw his driving long range effort go wide of the target.

St Mirren’s good start to the second half was rewarded on 57 minutes as Mark O’Hara headed them into the lead. Greg Kiltie did well to win the ball in midfield as the hosts then advanced forward. Marcus Fraser drove to the byeline before sending over an inviting ball into the box and Buddies captain O’Hara headed the ball home, which took a slight deflection off Sanders to evade Sinclair.

PHOTO: Matt Smith and Richard Taylor

The Paisley side thought they had got a third on 65 minutes as Phillips broke forward, playing a neat one-two with Kiltie, before slotted the ball beyond Sinclair however, the goal was ruled out by VAR as Phillips had fouled Kimpioka in the build-up.

Saints then made a triple change as Benji Kimpioka, Kyle Cameron and Matt Smith were replaced by Makenzie Kirk, Barry Douglas, who was making his Saints debut and Graham Carey.

With 11 minutes remaining Drey Wright picked out Jason Holt on the edge of the area however, he couldn’t test Balcombe with his strike.

PHOTO: Jason Holt shoots over the bar

St Mirren wrapped up the 3 points in stoppage time as ball over the Saints defence by substitute Mikael Mandron played in fellow substitute Jonah Ayunga and Kenya International raced onto it before slotting a composed finish beyond Sinclair.  

St Mirren: Balcombe, Tanser, O’Hara, Kiltie (Ayunga 85’), Gogić, Scott (McMenamin 67’), Dunne (Taylor 52’), Olusanya (Mandron 67’), Fraser, Bwomono, Phillips

Unused Substitutes: Urminský (GK), Smyth, Boyd-Munce, Penman, Mooney

Booked: Bwomono, Balcombe

Scorers: Tanser (30’), O’Hara (57’), Ayunga (90+3’)

Saints: Sinclair, Cameron (Douglas 68’), Sanders, Neilson, Holt, Clark, Wright, Sidibeh, Smith (Carey 68’), Sprangler, Kimpioka (Kirk 68’)

Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Essel, Kucheriavyi, McPake, Keltjens, Franczak

Booked: Sidibeh

Scorer: Kimpioka (8’)

Referee: Steven McLean

VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 6,042

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Lewis Neilson and Toyosi Olusanya