Saints 1-0 St Mirren

Saints last victory in the league was a 1-0 home win against Kilmarnock at the beginning of November and Callum Davidson’s side started today’s game brightly. Scott Tanser and Shaun Rooney delivered some inviting crosses into the St Mirren box but the Saints frontline couldn’t get on the end of them.

Guy Melamed also had a shot at goal during the first half but his effort was blocked by former Saints player Joe Shaughnessy.

The only goal of the game came 28 seconds into the second half as Chris Kane tapped home a rebounded effort after the Saints forward had seen his initial strike saved by Buddies keeper Jak Alnwick.

The visitors then suffered a further setback as they were reduced to ten men on 55 minutes after Cameron MacPherson was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Melamed.

The Buddies rallied late on but Saints were able to see the game out to earn an important 3 points.

Next up for Saints is a Betfred Cup semi-final tie against Hibs at Hampden next Saturday, kick off 5:30pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed St Mirren to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for their first home game of 2021. Saints drew 2-2 in a rearranged league game at Dundee United on Tuesday evening and Callum Davidson made three changes to his side for this afternoon’s game. Jason Kerr, Scott Tanser and Craig Bryson all came in to replace Callum Booth, Liam Craig and Murray Davidson who all dropped to the bench. Jamie McGrath converted a penalty 11 minutes from time as St Mirren drew 1-1 at home to Motherwell last weekend. The Buddies manager Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that started against Motherwell last Saturday as he brought Cameron MacPherson and Eamonn Brophy into the starting eleven to replace Kyle McAllister and Ethan Erhahon who both dropped to the bench.

Despite Perth experiencing heavy snowfall this week the McDiarmid Park pitch was in great condition for this afternoon’s match thanks to hard work of Head Groundsman, Chris Smith, and his ground staff team.

David Wotherspoon got the match underway for Saints, who were shooting towards the Ormond Stand during the first half.

The Paisley side were quickly out the traps as they created an early chance however, Jamie McGrath’s shot from just outside the box on 2 minutes didn’t trouble Zander Clark.

Saints first chance of the match came on 9 minutes as Scott Tanser whipped a great ball into the box which both Guy Melamed and Shaun Rooney were inches away from making a connection with. Then a minute later Melamed sent a good ball out wide to Rooney and he skipped past Richard Tait and into the Buddies box before crossing a dangerous low ball across the 6-yard box but nobody could a touch on the ball to knock it home.

Saints were awarded a free kick on 20 minutes after Chris Kane had been fouled by Jake Doyle-Hayes. Both David Wotherspoon and Scott Tanser stood over the free kick and it was taken by the former as he curled it over the wall before it went inches wide of Jak Alnwick’s right-hand post.

The visitors were then awarded a free kick of their own a couple of minutes later after Melamed fouled Lee Erwin. The free kick was taken by McGrath and he floated the ball into the Saints box and former Saints player Joe Shaughnessy rose highest to meet the cross but he put his effort wide of the target.

Just before the half an hour mark Saints created a great chance to break the deadlock as Kane setup Melamed with a great pass. The Israeli forward then took a touch to compose himself as he cut inside before unleashing a shot at goal but Shaughnessy did well to get back and block the shot as the ball went behind for a corner.

Saints were creating the better chances and just before half time Wotherspoon whipped a lovely ball into the St Mirren box but Conor McCarthy was able to get back and turn the ball over for a corner with Melamed looking to get on the end of the cross.

The breakthrough for Saints came 28 seconds into the second half thanks to a Kane strike. Melamed played a lovely through ball to Kane, splitting the St Mirren defence, and the Saints number 9 saw his first time shot parried by Alnwick. The loose ball then fell perfectly to Kane and he tapped the ball into the net.

Then 2 minutes later Kane got another chance as after determined play by Rooney out on the right he picked out the Saints forward with his ball into the box but Kane couldn’t get his effort on target as it went over from a tight angle.

The visitors were then reduced to ten men on 55 minutes as Cammy MacPherson was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Melamed. The St Mirren midfielder was already on a yellow card after being booked for a foul on Melamed in first half stoppage time.

On 67 minutes Kane came close to his and Saints second as Scott Tanser sent a good ball down the left to Wotherspoon. The Saints midfielder then sent a low ball into the box to Kane and his first-time shot was tipped over by Alnwick.

Saints then made a double change as Stevie May and Murray Davidson came onto replace Guy Melamed and David Wotherspoon.

Saints were taking advantage of their extra man as they continued to create chances they looked to end the game as a contest. On 72 minutes May played a neat back-heeled pass to Bryson but his effort was blocked by Shaughnessy.

The visitors though were still creating chances of their own and with 8 minutes of the match remaining they were awarded a free kick after foul by Tanser on McGrath. The free kick was taken by McGrath and his delivery into the Saints box was met by McCarthy but he nodded his effort over the bar.

St Mirren pressed late on for an equaliser but Saints dealt with the danger as they saw the game to secure a valuable 3 points.

Saints: Clark, Rooney, Kerr, McCart, Tanser, McCann, Bryson (Craig 88), Wotherspoon (Davidson 68), Gordon, Melamed (May 68), Kane (Hendry 82)

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Booth, Conway, O’Halloran

Booked: Tanser, Davidson

Scorer: Kane (46)

St Mirren: Alnwick, Tait, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Doyle-Hayes, MacPherson, Connolly (Erhahon 60), Erwin (Obika 87), Brophy (Quaner 68) (McAllister 87), McGrath, Fraser

Unused Substitutes: Lyness (GK), Flynn, Durmuş, Foley, Dennis

Booked: MacPherson

Sent Off: MacPherson

Referee: Steven McLean

Attendance: BCD

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Chris Kane celebrates scoring the only goal of the game