MAGIC MOMENTS
Stunning strikes help Buddies break boredom in dull cup tie
LIKE flowers in the desert, the goals that paved the way for this hard-earned St Mirren victory were little celebrations of unexpected beauty against a rather harsh backdrop.
This game was difficult viewing for much of the 90 minutes. It became a bit of a slog that certainly didn’t have three goals in it on the balance of play. And yet the effort from Jamie McGrath that got the Buddies off to a flier and the strike from fit-again substitute Kristian Dennis that finally gave them essential breathing space before McGrath’s late penalty were just so satisfying.
We were just four minutes in when McGrath produced that first exhibition of beauty and composure to put Jim Goodwin’s side in the lead and start making up for the 1-1 draw in Hamilton two weeks ago that killed hopes of a top-six finish.
He received a ball from Ilkay Durmus on the left-hand side of the box, took time to look up and spot the positioning of Ryan Fulton.
What came next was just a joy, his effort — caressed with the right instep — sent looping past the home goalkeeper and into the far corner with precision and delicacy.
Dennis’ effort was quite different. More spectacular, for sure, but lacking that subtlety and elan of the opener.
Jon Obika set him up around 25 yards out and, after taking a touch, he curled a brilliant effort into the top corner to mark his first outing in two months.
Goodwin branded two-goal hero McGrath the best player he has ever worked with after the final whistle and now wants to see the 24-year-old midfielder called into the Republic of Ireland squad. ‘Jamie’s goal was outstanding in terms of his technique and his composure,’ said Goodwin. ‘With no disrespect to anyone, he is the best player I’ve worked with as a manager.
‘All the other players look up to him, not because he’s a shouter and bawler or because he goes flying into tackles but because of the courage in the way he plays. ‘The Republic of Ireland team is crying out for goals and creativity and Stephen Kenny has a hard enough job without me telling him who to pick, but Jamie supplies both.’
The afternoon began to take on an ominous feel for Accies three minutes into the second half, though, when David Moyo squandered a golden opportunity.
Ross Callachan picked him out at the back post with a terrific cross from the right. The Zimbabwean had the whole goal to aim for but headed it wide from yards out.
The sound of someone inside the home dug-out thumping the perspex in sheer, unadulterated frustration said more than any words could.
In truth, the tie was disintegrating into a messy blancmange of a game when Dennis, back from an Achilles injury that looked like ruining his season and only 11 minutes on the park after replacing Dylan Connolly, delivered that something extraordinary.
McGrath then wrapped it up from the spot late on, sending Fulton the wrong way after he had been punished for felling Obika.
‘If Moyo takes his chance, it is a different game. The difference is that they have scored two fantastic goals and we can’t score from five yards,’ said Hamilton manager Brian Rice.
HAMILTON (4-4-2): Fulton; Hodson, A Martin, Easton, McMann; S Martin (Hamilton 37), Odoffin, Callachan, Hughes (Munro 78); Anderson, Moyo. Subs (not used): Gourlay, Scully, Stirling, Stanger, CcSmith.
Booked: None.
ST MIRREN (3-5-2): Alnwick; Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy; Connolly (Dennis 63), McGrath, DoyleHayes, Erhahon, Durmus (Henderson 85); Obika, Erwin (Flynn 54). Subs (not used): Lyness, Tait, McAllister, MacPherson, Finlayson, Reid.
Booked: None.
Referee: Euan Anderson.