Goodwin delighted as ‘perfect’ Paisley men pass tricky test
ST MIRREN are continuing to make a strong case to be considered the most improved team of 2022.
They were well worth this comfortable victory over Kelty Hearts as they stretched their undefeated run since the end of the winter break to seven matches while booking their place in the last eight cup in the process.
This could have been a tricky test for them given Kelty’s form at the top of League Two and the fact that they had knocked out holders St Johnstone in the previous round.
Instead, it proved to be all very straightforward as Alex Grieve gave them a half-time lead and goals from Jordan Jones and a Greg Kiltie double secured their passage through.
Little wonder that St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin (below) had plenty to be satisfied with as he assessed his team’s performance. He said: ‘It was a really good afternoon for us. Everything about it was just perfect to be honest with you.
‘It was a really professional performance and we were clinical. That is what I told the boys in the dressing room afterwards.
‘We didn’t underestimate Kelty in the build-up and treated them with the same respect we would any Premiership opposition. There was no sloppiness and it was a real professional performance.’
The first goal was always going to be vital in setting the pattern for the game and it went the way of St Mirren. It was perhaps harsh on a Kelty side who had threatened early on through a Michael Tidser free-kick and a Joe Cardle shot but well-worked from the home team’s point of view.
Marcus Fraser’s cross from the right was enticing and Richard Tait, a yoga devotee, showed his flexibility to divert an acrobatic effort towards goal. Darren Jamieson in the Kelty goal did well to keep it out but could do nothing to prevent the loose ball falling to Greive, who headed in his second goal in as many games.
Kelty, though, are a side filled with seasoned veterans, many of whom have played at this level before, and never looked in danger of being steamrollered after falling behind.
St Mirren dominated possession but on a heavy pitch failed to create much in the way of chances. Connor Ronan unleashed an ambitious effort that sailed well over the top before Cardle claimed hopefully for a penalty at the other end that was waved away.
Any possibility of an upset, however, was wiped out within 15 minutes of the second half when the home side added two more goals to their tally.
The first was a terrific piece of skill from Jones, who embroidered a man-of-the-match performance by fizzing a shot high past Jamieson and into the top corner.
Greive came close to claiming his second of the game before Jones teed up Kiltie, who turned his marker before drilling a low shot beyond the goalkeeper to put the outcome beyond doubt.
Kelty knew by this point that the tie was beyond them but the arrival of fresh legs off the bench saw them create their first proper shot on target, Alfredo Agyeman’s effort well saved by Jak Alnwick.
The St Mirren goalkeeper then had to look alert to pouch Kallum Higginbotham’s free-kick before another replacement, Botti Biabi, passed up his shot at glory by firing a shot high into the stand when he really should have hit the target.
The last goal of the contest went the way of the home side. It stemmed from a mistake, defender Robbie McNab sending a ball around the front of his box allowing Kiltie to fire into the gaping net.
Kelty boss Kevin Thomson said: ‘They are a good team, miles above us in the pecking order. When they go to Celtic or Rangers they sometimes need to take their medicine and we had to take ours
today.’