Murray era gets off to a promising start
WITH FOOTBALL IN COLD STORAGE WE TAKE A LOOK AT OLD ST
Jeff Holmes
Scott Agnew repaid the faith shown in him by gaffer Ian Murray by firing Saints into the second round of the Petrofac Cup.
The 28-year-old midfielder – who followed Murray from Dumbarton – claimed a glory double as St Mirren roared back from a goal down.
The League Two side stunned the 2,394 crowd by taking the lead in six minutes through Blair Henderson.
Captain Stephen Thompson levelled from the penalty spot after Stevie Mallan was tripped – and Agnew scored twice after the break to put Saints on Easy Street.
The home side were on the offensive early on and young Lewis Morgan was giving Berwick right-back Ewan McNeil a torrid time.
Star Saint:
Scott Agnew
His two stunning strikes aside, Agnew provided a constant attacking threat as well as tracking back to put in a couple of timely challenges in his own box. A fantastic all-round display from the talented Saint on his competitive debut.
With just two minutes on the clock, Morgan wriggled past McNeil and delivered a cross to the back post, but Jason Naismith skied his effort.
Four minutes later and the Buddies were behind. Dwayne Coultress found Henderson in the box and the young striker swivelled and shot past Mark Ridgers from 12 yards.
There was no panic on the St Mirren bench, despite the early deficit, and the home side continued to play an attractive passing game.
With nine minutes on the clock, a Paul McMullan pass to Morgan pierced the wee Gers defence but keeper Kevin Walker raced from his line to smother the danger.
Five minutes later, Jack Baird got on the end of an Agnew corner but his header crashed off the bar.
But Saints were awarded a spot kick in 19 minutes. Mallan nicked the ball past Berwick defender Robert Wilson, but a clumsy challenge sent the young Saint sprawling and referee Alan Muir pointed to the spot.
Thompson stepped up to send Walker the wrong way and level the scores at one apiece.
On the half hour, Sean Kelly turned an Agnew free-kick past Walker, but the young defender’s effort was ruled offside.
With half-time approaching, Saints were awarded a corner, but when Agnew despatched his kick, Baird was hauled to the ground by Henderson. Muir, though, refused the home side another penalty.
And just two minutes after the break, Thompson was furious when Berwick player/ manager Colin Cameron appeared to stop a netbound header with an arm.
But with 50 minutes on the clock, St
Mirren edged in front. Agnew picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and hit the perfect shot straight into the top corner.
And on the hour, the St Mirren midfielder was at it again when he latched onto a ball on the edge of the
Berwick box and gave Walker no chance with a left-foot drive into the bottom corner of the net. A few minutes later, Henderson gave Saints a scare when he headed against the post.
It was end- to- end stuff and from an Agnew free- kick, Walker reacted brilliantly to turn a Naismith header over the top.
With the minutes ticking away, Saints’ sub Lewis McLear tried his luck from18 yards, but his effort just cleared the bar.
Match Facts
Score – St Mirren 3 Berwick Rangers 1 Scorers -– Henderson (6), Thompson (19 pen), Agnew (50, 61)
Bookings – Cameron (30), Fairbairn (41), Henderson (50), Graham (72)
Red Carded – No-one
Referee – Alan Muir
Attendance – 2,394
Teams: St Mirren: Ridgers, Naismith, Conlan, Baird, Kelly, Agnew, Carswell (Howieson 75), McMullan, Thompson (Goodwin 66), Mallan (McLear 66), Morgan. Subs not used Wilks, Cuddihy, Barrowman, Stewart. Berwick Rangers: Walker, McNeil, Beveridge, Cameron (Drummond 71), Wilson, Fairbairn, Banjo (Lavery 60), Graham, Henderson, McKenna, Coultress. Subs not used Walters, Morris, Russell, Graham.
Agnew then went agonisingly close to grabbing a hat-trick when Walker pushed his shot onto the post.
The Saints new boy did have the ball in the net late on, but was ruled offside by the far side assistant.