Hammill signals dawn of new life at Saints
PLANES at nearby Glasgow Airport have been most at risk compared to opposition goalkeepers when it comes to St Mirren’s attacking threat this season.
For one afternoon, at least, they are now soaring. The moment of quality the Buddies had been waiting for in a turbulent season already disrupted by a change of manager finally arrived.
It really was quite something. A 40-yard screamer by striker Adam Hammill immediately after the restart set Saints on their way — before he struck a second against a Hearts side whose confidence is plummeting by the week.
The Paisley club had only scored six goals prior to this clash and were winless in 12 matches since the opening day of the season.
Boss Oran Kearney, who replaced Alan Stubbs, has taken his time to achieve his first victory but now that it has arrived, it could prove to be a turning point as Saints try to eventually vacate 11th position.
Hearts, however, are stuck in a hellish run of form. Let’s not call it a full-blown crisis. But five games without a goal, slipping into third spot in the Premiership?
While unlucky to be without the injured quartet of skipper Christophe Berra, John Souttar, Steven Naismith and Uche Ikpeazu, this is hardly the sign of so-called title challengers.
Kearney was thrilled to see former Barnsley man Hammill knock them down and deliver in style.
‘Adam has that in his locker,’ he said. ‘When his name came up (before signing), I went straight onto YouTube and he had a decent turnaround of goals in his 300-odd games in the English Championship.
‘He scores more special goals than normal ones. When I did my research, the first clip that came up was a belter — from 35 yards into the top corner — in the 2016 League One play-off final at Wembley.
‘His timing today was fantastic. There’s so much more to come from him. It feels good. The journey our guys have been on since I’ve been at the club, it’s nice to finally get something to show for it. ‘
The win was extra special for Kearney after spending this week at home in Northern Ireland following a family bereavement.
‘For family back home, it has been tough,’ he said. ‘I probably didn’t think about it that way but it is the perfect end to the week.’
The goal Craig Levein’s side had been craving almost arrived after just five minutes.
Right-back Michael Smith burst down the wing and delivered a cross which was flicked on by Craig Wighton. The ball reached Steven MacLean at the back post but his effort hit the side netting.
Levein has revealed a deal has been agreed ‘in principal’ with Burnley to keep on-loan centre-back Jimmy Dunne until the summer. He is clearly a valued member of the team who has stepped in comfortably to replace injured captain Berra.
Further evidence of his contribution to Hearts presented itself on 20 minutes.
The visitors were caught out as Paul McGinn charged down the right wing and into the penalty area. A cut-back or shot on goal looked inevitable until the Irishman slid in with a perfectly-timed tackle.
Saints eventually discovered a spark of sorts on 33 minutes when the ball broke to Kyle Magennis but his shot from 18 yards crashed back off the bar.
The action had hardly been thrilling. Fortunately, those present only had to wait a minute after halftime for a goal of supreme quality.
There appeared little danger when the ball fell to Hammill at least 40 yards from goal. Striking it on the half-volley, the Liverpudlian’s effort flew over goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal and into the net.
The Buddies went berserk. At last, a piece of magic had lit up Kearney’s side.
‘It’s up there with the best goals I’ve ever scored,’ said Hammill. ‘I turned and the space opened up.
‘In my head, I thought that if I looped a volley it might cause havoc with the lights for the keeper and fortunately that’s what happened.’
It was to get better, too, for the hosts and Hammill. Ten minutes after half-time, Hearts failed to clear the danger in the box. The ball fell to the 30-year-old on the left and he directed an effort back across goal and into the far corner.
Arnaud Djoum thought he had brought his team back into the game but his headed ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside. A mazy run by Hammill on 67 minutes saw Saints fans rise out of their seats.
From the edge of the box, he found room for a shot but the ball was saved by Zlamal.
The Buddies could have been out of sight had Zlamal not managed to tip a curling shot by Paul McGinn over the bar in 81 minutes.
Levein looked every bit a deflated man after another dispiriting defeat.
‘I’m fed up talking about the same thing and frustrated — as you can imagine,’ he said. ‘The problem is scoring goals and I feel they are all waiting on someone else doing it.’