ST JOHNSTONE 4 Anderson (4) Shaughnessy (33) Craig (40) Wotherspoon (90) STIRLING ALBION 0
ST. JOHNSTONE took a winning grip of their Betfred Cup group with a convincing success against a Stirling Albion side who were willing, but struggled to make an impact.
Boss Tommy Wright was delighted with the way his men started.
“The early goal was a lift for us and the last thing that Albion would have wanted,” he said.
“Sometimes when you score so early and have so much of the possession, the intensity of your play suffers, but overall, I was delighted.”
Albion boss Stuart McLaren complained: “We gave them a little too much respect and time but improved in the second half.”
If the tournament is doing anything for St Johnstone, it’s getting them their touch, just in time for next Sunday’s visit of Aberdeen.
That and their full time advantage was always going to make it tough for Albion, who came to Perth with two victories to show for their early season graft.
And, to add to a deck already stacked against the visitors, they were caught cold by Saints’ defender, Steven Anderson, in just four minutes when he nodded in a Liam Craig corner.
Settled by the early strike Saints set about the League Two side with crisp passing, neat movement into space, all of which began the process of sapping Albion legs.
Joe Shaughnessy and Liam Craig, headed in further first-half goals.
Saints once again look like a solid unit but you would want to see them face up to a sterner test before making an assessment of their Premiership ambitions.
Anderson, in the heart of the back four, aside
from his goal threat, was sure- footed and confident all over the pitch.
His anticipation of danger from Albion’s eager, if limited attack, was first-class.
Shaughnessy is another defender who will pay his way, yesterday operating from right back and venturing forward to score.
Craig was another player who looks sharp, using the ball cleverly.
Stirling kept their shape, even after the first half went so badly wrong, and when they set about league business, they will be in their comfort zone.
Jack McCue looked lively in the first 45 and Bryan Hodge looked the one player that might pull one back.
Albion keeper Chris Smith was stretchered off with a neck injury with 10 minutes left, before David Wotherspoon completed the scoring from 20 yards.