Dismal day for deflated Saints
MIRREN MATCHES AS THEY WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME
Dunfermline ......3
St Mirren............0
The red mist descended and the goals rolled in as Dunfermline roared back to the top of the league at the expense of sorry St Mirren.
There is no other way to describe it other than a dismal day at the office for Saints.
Aside from a solid 15 minutes, the Paisley side struggled to make an impression on the clash, allowing Dunfermline to exploit their deficiencies at the back and secure a deserved 3-0 win.
Late red cards for Adam Eckersley and Gregor Buchanan did little to alter the sway of proceedings, instead serving to only rub salt into the wounds of a side that were already defeated. In fact, St Mirren will feel their absence more when it comes to scrambling for a defence next weekend when Queen of the South come to town.
First- half goals from Declan McManus and David Hopkirk were added to a Callum Morris’ strike early in the second period to move Allan Johnston’s side back to the league summit following a week trailing the Buddies.
And instead of being the classic that many thought it might be, the clash took on the complexion of an altogether one-sided affair.
Kick-off had to be delayed to allow supporters into the ground, with the opening of just two turnstiles angering an almighty travelling support that had made their way from Paisley.
Jack Ross made just the one change to the St Mirren side as Liam Smith came in at the expense of Gary Irvine.
And things did get off to a positive start, with Gavin Reilly scampering on to Cammy Smith’s ball over the top, before firing inches wide after just two minutes.
The game was living up to its billing early on as both sides took it in turns to launch on attack on one another’s goal. The tackles were also flying in from both sides as they looked to establish their authority of the clash.
Dunfermline were dealt a major blow 18 minutes in when Championship player of the month Joe Cardle was forced off after pulling up with an injury inside the St Mirren box. Former Annan Athletic striker David Hopkirk was the man to replace him.
But the blow didn’t appear to do The Pars any harm as they opened the scoring just a minute later.
A ball towards the right flank was headed across goal by Kallum Higginbotham and there was Declan McManus to bomb on to the ball, taking a touch before firing an effort into the turf and over Craig Samson in the Saints goal.
Dunfermline then came close to doubling their tally with a devastating counter attack moments later.
Higginbotham was again tormentor-in-chief, catching St Mirren out from their own corner before playing in Hopkirk. With the goal at his mercy, it looked a case of simply picking his spot but he somehow fired wide of the target.
Having had a solid start, St Mirren now looked in a world of trouble as they struggled to deal with Dunfermline’s attacking threat.
Lee Ashcroft was next to go close, this time from a well-worked corner routine, smashing an effort towards goal that required Samson to palm over the bar.
St Mirren started to find their feet again, with around 10 minutes of the half remaining, with captain Stephen McGinn forcing Pars keeper Sean Murdoch to block with his feet after getting on the end of an Ian McShane cross to the far post.
But the hosts were well worthy of their lead, and they would still find time to double the advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Stelios was caught in possession, before Adam Eckersley’s attempt at a clearance was quickly seized upon by Higginbotham. This time he cut back for Hopkirk on the edge of the box and the winger remained composed as he curled home a stunning effort beyond the stranded Samson and into the back of the net.
St Mirren boss Jack Ross felt forced into making a change at half-time after watching his side take something of a battering in the first half. And it was also a switch in shape for the Buddies as John Sutton came on to replace Stelios, with the Buddies reverting to a 4-4-2.
Sutton would have the side’s first chance of the second half as he headed over the bar from Lewis Morgan’s corner.
Saints started on the front foot but they were up in arms eight minutes in when Reilly appeared to be hauled down in the box. Referee Craig Thomson waved away the protests, much to the dismay of the St Mirren midfield – but it would all be in vain moments later.
A tame corner kick to the front post caught out St Mirren midfielder Ian McShane, who swung and missed the ball completely to allow Pars skipper Callum Morris to simply tap home from five yards after just 56 minutes.
Despite the scoreline, Dunfermline were in no mood to take their foot off of the pedal, with a deflected McManus drive forcing Samson into a diving save.
And the afternoon would end on a sour note for the Buddies, with Eckersley seeing red after lashing out at Aaron Splaine when retrieving the ball for a throw- in, with just three minutes remaining.
And it only got worse, with Buchanan then received his marching orders for a second yellow card to all but compound Saints’ misery.