Match Preview: St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock
These two sides met four times in the 2024/25 campaign. The first two meetings were won by the Saints. The first of which came at Rugby Park, where St Johnstone ran out 3-0 winners, courtesy of a brace from Sidibeh and a late penalty from Kimpioka. The second came in Perth, where St Johnstone won 1-0, with Kirk scoring the only goal of the game. The other two meetings were both won by Kilmarnock. The first of which came in Ayrshire, where Killie ran out 3-1 winners, courtesy of goals from Polworth, Murray and Wales. Carey scored a consolation in stoppage time for the Saints. The second of which, and the final meeting between these two sides in the 24/25 campaign ended 2-0 to Kilmarnock in Perth. Watson and Armstrong got the goals. Both sides had underwhelming League Cup group stage campaigns. Sunday’s hosts St Johnstone started off their campaign with a 2-0 win away at Linlithgow Rose, then followed that result up with a 3-0 win against Championship side Morton. However, defeat against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, followed up by a 1-1 draw against East Fife, in a game where they took the lead in the 90th minute and conceded in the 95th, then lost on penalties, meant they were knocked out of the competition. Kilmarnock kicked off their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Raith Rovers, however, did pick up the extra point. In their second match of the group stage, Neil McCann’s side showed resilience to beat Elgin City 1-0. Killie were reduced to ten in the first-half when Brandon was shown red, but Hugill’s stoppage time winner prevented back-to-back penalty shootouts. Their third match ended in a 1-0 win against Hamilton Accies, courtesy of a strike from Kiltie on the hour mark. Kilmarnock rounded off their group stage campaign with yet another poor showing, losing to League One outfit Peterhead on penalties after another goalless draw. Despite a disappointing group campaign, where they only netted twice, Killie finished top of their group on nine points, and will face Ayrshire rivals Ayr United in the next round. Both sides have been active in the transfer market. The Saints have brought in some familiar faces, including Ruari Paton and Toby Steward, who were part of the St Johnstone squad that won the Championship last season. In continuation, the Perth side have brought in two players who had brilliant campaigns last season in the Scottish Championship – Chalmers from Partick Thistle and Matty Todd from Dunfermline Athletic. Kilmarnock have brought in a mix of youth and experience. Mark O’Hara signed in late June, returning to the club where it all started for him back in 2012. Tshibola also made his return to Rugby Park following the World Cup, where he was part of the DR Congo squad. Killie have also brought in young Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, who will be looking to emulate the success that Findlay Curtis had during his loan spell at Rugby Park, during the second-half of last season, and young Welsh forward Ieuan Owen, who scored two huge goals which helped Barry Town secure the club’s first top-flight silverware in over two decades.
Falkirk 0-2 St Mirren: Phillips double send Buddies top against Wasteful Bairns
Falkirk 0-2 St Mirren Phillips (11′ ,87′) The Buddies secured their third straight victory at The Falkirk Stadium after a Killian Phillips double secured a dream start for Craig McLeish in the Scottish Premiership. Falkirk started brightly, keen to build on their top six finish last season. Ethan Laidlaw’s positive play and cross dropped to ex-Exeter City man Jack McMillan. His right-footed shot narrowly snuck wide of Jacob Chapman’s net, encouraging the home support. But the visitors grew into the half, showing good signs under new boss Craig McLeish. Summer signing Samuel Ramos managed three goals in the League Cup group stages; his 40-yard laser pass fell kindly to the onrushing Killian Phillips, who forced a sharp save from Scott Bain. Phillips opened the scoring moments later. The Irishman met Henry Fieldson’s cross, poking home at the near post, and giving the best possible start to The Buddies’ season. Falkirk have lost stalwarts Barney Stewart, Calvin Millar, and Dylan Tait in the transfer market, and were still attempting to blend their new forward combinations. They clicked after 21 minutes. Former St Mirren man Ryan Strain burst forward in the 22nd minute. His cutback gave Finn Yeats freedom in the penalty box, but the midfielder’s strike was tame and didn’t trouble Jacob Chapman. St Mirren’s midfield pivot of Ryan Carr and Paul Nsio was a strong base to launch visiting attacks, and they continued to look dangerous. Nsio caught McMillan napping on the centre circle, allowing Sule to bear down on goal, but his strike lacked conviction and rolled wide of Bain’s goal. Falkirk’s best opportunities continued to come from wide areas; Laidlaw’s inswinging ball narrowly evaded Ross MacIver on 33 minutes. MacIver hit the sidenetting minutes later as the hosts ended strongly. McLeish spoke pre-match about turning St Mirren into an “exciting” side. They looked comfortable in playing out from the back, though goalkeeper Chapman needed maximum concentration on a few occasions to withstand the oncoming Falkirk press St Mirren had a golden chance to double their advantage on the stroke of halftime after breaking from a Falkirk set piece. Carr advanced with Sule and Ramos on either side in a 3 v 2, but after exchanging passes the move fizzled out. A frustrating opening half for John McGlynn’s side, but plenty of encouragement for McLeish to ponder at the break. St Mirren had a chance to double their advantage on the hour mark after a shaky back pass from Deniss Melniks, who had looked uncomfortable in the second half. But after advancing on Bain’s goal, Sule’s powerful effort was blocked by the Scottish internationalist, as another golden opportunity slipped away. The hosts required a spark, and substitute Ben Parkinson provided such in the 70th minute. The former Newcastle boy bundled in Melniks’ knockdown from close range to the delight of the Falkirk support. Unfortunately, in the build-up, Melniks’ touch had made contact with his elbow, and after a lengthy VAR check, Duncan Nicholson consulted the monitor and ruled out the equaliser. Despite encouragement from the home crowd, Falkirk continued to waste possession, and St Mirren would shortly close off the game in the 87th minute Substitute Ronald Idowu broke to the 18-yard box before sliding Phillips into space. His right-footed strike deflected past Bain, sending the away allocation into frenzy. Victory was nothing short of what the visitors deserved, as they moved top of the Scottish Premiership. Falkirk: Bain 7 McMillan 6 Henderson 6 Strain 5 Tanser 4 Gardner 5 Melniks 3 Sibbald 5 Laidlaw 6 Yeats 5 MacIver 5 Substitutes: Doherty 6 Parkinson 6 Ross 6 McCann 4 McGovern 4 St Mirren: Chapman 7 Richardson 7 Fraser 7 Fieldson 8 Gogic 8 Ramos 7 Carr 8 Mochrie 7 Nsio 7 Sule 7 Phillips 9 Substitutes: Young 6 Donnelly 7 Idowu 7 Thomas 7