BEN RAMAGE
Gutted Goodwin on Saints’agonising defeat
Jim Goodwin paid tribute to his battling Buddies after his side were delivered a Pittodrie sucker punch at the death.
The Saints looked set to plunder a point in Aberdeen after Ethan Erhahon’s sensational strike opened the scoring for the visitors.
Marley Watkins replied for the Dons but the Buddies were on course to pick up a first point in six games as the game ticked into added time.
That was before Lewis Ferguson slammed home a devastating injurytime winner that left Goodwin gutted.
He said: “It’s probably the first game in the last six that I’ve really enjoyed watching from the side of the pitch.
“I am absolutely devastated with the final result but I’m so proud of the players.
“We are in a really difficult situation, there’s no getting away from the run of defeats that we’re on.
“But I hope people will take time to reflect on some of the circumstances we’ve been dealing with in recent weeks.
“We’ve had suspensions and a lot of injuries added into that.
“I think tonight was an example of what we’re capable of. It was a performance that I want to put on the park regularly. “That needs to be our mindset now.” Despite the loss being St Mirren’s sixth in a row, Goodwin paid particular tribute to his young midfield trio Ethan Erhahon, Nathan Sheron and Cammy MacPherson who were especially impressive in the midfield despite their young age.
Erhahon smashed home the opening goal while Cammy pulled the strings back in a more familiar central role, and Goodwin feels there’s more to come from his young side this season.
He said: “There’s loads of individual positives to take from the game.
“I thought MacPherson, Sheron and
Erhahon were excellent.
“They were a big part of why we dominated so much in the first half.
“Ethan’s goal was worthy of winning any match.
“My guys gave me everything and I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.
“I actually thanked them for their efforts after the game because that was as good a performance as we’ve put in all season.”