Buddies break goal drought in style to seal welcome win
THE ASSERTION that there was more chance of Boris Johnson getting Brexit done than St Mirren scoring a goal was wonderfully shot down in Paisley.
Jim Goodwin’s men had managed just three all season and their frustrated followers would have taken a scrambled toe poke, a mis-hit or even an own goal.
The fact that they were treated to two magnificent efforts only made it all the sweeter as their side moved up to ninth and left the Perth Saints rooted to the foot of the table.
Jon Obika broke his duck as a St Mirren player in the most spectacular way with a stunning overhead kick eight minutes before half-time, while the sweeping move that led to the second goal on 61 minutes is as slick as you will see all season.
It was only a second win of the season for the Buddies and their first in seven matches — and Goodwin righty relished it.
He said: ‘The first goal was obviously a bit of individual brilliance from Jon, who showed great athleticism to put the ball in the back of the net the way he did.
‘The second was pleasing from a coach’s perspective in terms of the way we created it. When it went in, I felt that would be too much for St Johnstone with the way we were going about things.
‘I felt a huge sense of satisfaction and relief, and I’m delighted for the supporters as well.
‘They’ve been great since I came in the door and they haven’t had a great deal to cheer about of late, but they haven’t allowed their frustration to affect the players.’
The irony is St Johnstone were by far the better team for half an hour but their inability to score in this period gave a glaring indication of why they remain the only team in the country without a league win this season.
Tony Ralston beat Vaclav Hladky with a low shot on 15 minutes after he had been cleverly set up by Drey Wright’s backheel but Stephen McGinn kicked the ball clear from inside the six-yard box.
Five minutes later, Matty Kennedy missed a huge chance when he pulled a right-foot shot wide from 14 yards after he had been set up by Danny Swanson.
There was also a claim for a penalty when Kennedy felt he was tripped by Sam Foley in 28 minutes but it wasn’t given. Foley reacted angrily by pushing Kennedy over for having the audacity to claim.
At that stage, there was no real hint of what was to come.
St Mirren won a free-kick on 37 minutes in a deep position. Kirk Broadfoot flighted the ball in and Zander Clark had to claw away Sean McLoughlin’s header.
However, the ball wasn’t cleared and McLoughlin was able to head it back across goal.
Obika’s moment arrived as he acrobatically smashed an overhead kick into the top-right corner of the net.
St Mirren were an energised side and sealed victory with a wonderful second goal on 61 minutes.
They worked the ball wide right for Paul McGinn and his precision cross was swept into the net by Danny Mullen.
St Johnstone were a beaten side there and then and manager Tommy Wright was left furious.
He said: ‘What happened in the second half was totally unacceptable. Ultimately, it lies on my shoulders but I look at the players and wonder how many realise how tough this league is.
‘We didn’t compete in the second half or get a response. That’s a concern both for me and for some of the players.’