Three-mendous opener for Saints
MIRREN MATCHES AS THEY WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME
Craig Ritchie looking a threat on the break through Myles Hippolyte and Loy, Falkirk looked the more likely to find a second, rather than the Buddies clawing themselves an equaliser.
And they could have on 15 minutes, with Loy teeing up Austin on the edge of the box only for the big Englishman to fire straight at Samson.
But the longer the half went on the more entertaining a contest it became, with St Mirren and Falkirk both going at it to find the afternoon’s second goal.
Some neat build up carved open Falkirk for the first time, with Morgan crossing towards John Sutton to nod into the path of Smith who could only blast over the bar,
Tormentor- in- chief Austin would again go close after being slipped in by former Buddie, Joe McKee, but Samson this time was on hand to produce a fine block right at the striker’s feet.
But St Mirren were coming into the game more and more, and it came as no surprise inside the ground when they found themselves back on level terms in 33 minutes.
The hard work and never say die attitude of Reilly paid dividends, collecting a throw in from Gary Irvine, finding his initial shot blocked only to play a cutting through all into the path of Stelios on the edge of the box.
The Cypriot took two touches before arrowing a fine finish across the face of the goal and into Robbie Thomson’s bottom corner before storming over to the West Stand to celebrate with the adoring Saints supporters.
The hosts were now in the ascendancy and displaying the confidence of a side who look like their ambitions are indeed further up the table this season.
A speculative effort from Morgan on the edge of the box following a run from Baird, of all people, saw the hosts end the half on a high, having recovered from their early setback.
But there was still to be one more major talking point with Bairns’ goalkeeping coach Derek Jackson and St Mirren assistant manager James Fowler sent to the stand right on half-time.
The coming together appeared to stem from nothing, apart from a difference
Star Saint:
Gavin Reilly
A player who has admitted he has a point to prove, Reilly appears to have the bit between his teeth already. Took his goal incredibly well, and simply ran himself into the ground over the course of the 90 minutes. Could become a major asset to the side.
Match Facts
Score St Mirren 3 Falkirk 1
Scorers Austin, Demetriou, Smith, Reilly
Bookings McShane (22), Irvine (38) Kerr (39), Gasparotto (80)
Red Carded Muirhead (77)
Referee Don Robertson
Attendance 4,639
Teams: St Mirren Samson, Irvine, Stelios, Baird, MacKenzie, McGinn, McShane, Smith (O’Keefe 90), Morgan, Sutton (Kirkpatrick 89), Reilly (Stewart 83).
Subs not used: Stewart (Gk), Buchanan, Eckersley and Whyte. Falkirk Thomson, Muirhead, Gallacher, Watson, Grant, Kerr, McKee, Hippolyte, Harris (Shepherd 65), Austin (Gasparotto 78), Loy (Miller 50). Subs not used: Mitchell, Taiwo, Craigen and O’Hara. of opinion between Fowler and Falkirk boss Peter Houston, Jackson then stepped in, shoving Fowler between the two technical areas, with Saints coach Allan McManus then having to step in to wrestle Jackson away from Fowler before the pair were eventually sent to the stands.
If the first half got off to the worst possible start, then the second couldn’t have gotten off to a better one as Saints fired themselves in front inside the second period’s opening minute.
Keeper Robbie Thomson was caught out by Reilly’s cross into the box, clambering to try and get a touch on the ball, allowing it to drop to Cammy Smith to fire home from close range.
Saints seemed good for their lead and were easily the better of the two sides with just short of an hour on the clock.
But the visitors could feel unlucky not to have levelled the scores 15 minutes into the second half, as Austin raced clear and outmuscled Gary MacKenzie to go one-on-one with Samson.
MacKenzie recovered although it looked like Austin could have went down
under the pressure before firing right at the goalkeeper.
However, it wouldn’t be long before the Saints further extended their lead in 69 minutes.
Reilly and Smith again combined to devastating effect, with Reilly this time racing on to Smith’s ball at the edge of the box. Showcasing his composure, the former Queen of the South man simply bore down on goal before coolly slotting into the far corner much to the delight of the home support.
And things would go from bad to worse for the 1,000 or so visiting support as Aaron Muirhead was shown red in 77 minutes following a blatant elbow on Stelios as Falkirk tempers started to boil over in the closing stages.
Despite being a man down, Falkirk still managed to create one more opportunity but Lee Miller somehow managed to embarrassingly blaze high with an open goal at his mercy – and to the delight of the St Mirren support, with the Paisley crowd happy to sign off their first home opening day win since 2004 at Love Street... also against Falkirk.