The joy of six as sorry Sons are whitewashed
Craig Ritchie St Mirren produced an afternoon of stunners as they booked their spot in the next round of the Betfred Cup.
Sensational strikes from Stephen McGinn and Cammy Smith set Saints on their way as they made light work of a sorry Dumbarton side that failed to trouble Craig Samson throughout.
Saints produced their most complete 90 minutes of their campaign so far as they dominated proceedings from start to finish.
The most pleasing aspect from a St Mirren perspective will be that Alan Stubbs’ men looked to have rediscovered a confidence that has been sorely lacking over the past fortnight as they passed the ball around with a swagger and ease at the Simple Digital Arena.
Stubbs made three changes to the side that started Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Queen’s Park, with Kyle Magennis, debutant Matty Willock and Ross Stewart coming in for Josh Heaton, Ryan Flynn and Cammy MacPherson.
But it was summer signing Hayden Coulson that showcased a sign of things to come as he took it upon himself to thump the hosts into the lead inside the opening minute.
The on-loan Middlesbrough man showed vision and awareness to knock the ball ahead of his two markers after being played in by Stephen McGinn before simply picking his spot as he smashed across Grant Adam for the opener.
The early goal dispelled any nerves that may still have lingered following disappointing draws with Spartans and Queen’s Park and the confidence was clearly flowing through the ranks of the starting XI.
Smith was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line by Willie Dyer following a Magennis corner, while centre back Cole Kpekawa tried his luck from distance time again as Saints continued to crank up the pressure.
But it was Buddies new boy Willock that was getting bums off seats as he excited fans with a turn of pace and skill.
The Manchester United man came close to turning on that Old Trafford magic but was unfortunate to see his inventive chip saved having beaten away the advances of three Dumbarton defenders.
It was simply one-way traffic and Coulson came close to making it 2-0 – only for his strike to rebound back off the near post following a one-two with Smith.
But the St Mirren fans didn’t have long to wait for the second as they eventually extended their lead with 35 minutes on the clock.
Paul McGinn had been one of the Buddies stand- out performers and he turned provider for Smith to head home the second with an inch-perfect cross.
If the hosts headed into the break buoyed by their first- half exploits then they would have been delighted by their second-half display as they strolled to victory.
Ross Stewart quickly added to the lead in 48 minutes as he got his head on the end of a deflected Magennis cross that looped up into his path just three yards from goal.
But the apparent pick of the bunch came just five minutes later as captain Stephen McGinn led by example, taking a touch to get the ball out of his feet before sending an unstoppable into the top corner of the Dumbarton net from all of 25 yards.
Saints had an appeal for a penalty turned down 12 minutes from time when Coulson was sent sprawling to the turf but it mattered not a jot as the hosts cantered to victory. Star Saint: Cammy Smith Warrants mention for his sensational strike alone, the midfielder was back to his best buzzing around the middle of the park. Match Facts
Score - St Mirren 6 Dumbarton 0 Scorers - Coulson (1), Smith (35, 84), Stewart (48), S McGinn (53), Kellerman (82). Bookings - Dyer, Carswell (both Dumbarton) Red Carded - None Referee - Euan Anderson Attendance - 1,610 Teams: St Mirren: Samson, P McGinn, Baird, Kpekawa, Coulson, S McGinn, Willock (Flynn 56), Magennis (Kellermann 61), Smith, Mullen (King 70), Stewart. Subs not used: Rogers, Heaton, Erhahon and Cooke. Dumbarton: Adam, Perry (Little 18), Dowie, C Barr, Dyer, Hutton, Carswell (Russell 75), B Barr, Forbes, Paton, Loy (Gallagher 68). Subs not used: McGowan and Ballantyne.
Jim Kellermann supplied the finish to make it 5-0 with eight minutes to go as he stroked home from close range.
But there was still time for the goal of the game.
As the ball broke to Smith 35 yards from goal, the midfielder spotted keeper Grant Adam loitering around the penalty spot. He didn’t need asking twice as he chanced his luck to curl home a beauty over the despairing keeper as the ball flew straight in to the back of the netocomplete the rout for the Paisley side.