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