What a difference a week can make. Just seven days previously, the horizon was glum for Billy Stark. This afternoon Saints re-established themselves as genuine title contenders
Stark stood by the 442 formation deployed against Hamilton, but unexpectantly dropped Parker to the bench giving MacDonald his first start of the season. Mixu was also recalled, with Donnelly returning to right midfield in place of the suspended Mark Robertson.
The early exchanges were equal as both sides pressed forward. Both teams looked sharp, but it was Falkirk who were first to threaten. 4 minutes in, McMenamin fired a low left footed effort into the side netting. Saints began to spread the ball effectively on the break, with Donnelly orchestrating effectively from the right. After 9 minutes, MacDonald found himself with just the Falkirk keeper to beat. He forced Hill into successive saves, before the ball broke to Mixu, but his effort was cleared on the line. Saints won a free kick after 19 minutes, when Bernard was impeded. From the resultant kick, a Dods header fell to the feet of Donnelly, but his right footed drive deflected out for a corner.
In 31 minutes, Saints season was back on track. With his back to goal, and with little options available, MacDonald turned and swivelled onto his left foot and from 28 yards, launched an unstoppable left footed swirling drive, screeming into the top left corner.
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Saints came close again three minutes later. Donnelly was again deeply involved as he linked well with MacDonald. His final ball fell to McLaughlin but his right footed effort flew high over the bar.
Cuthbert was forced into action as he saved well from a Latapy shot after 39 minutes. In the following minute, Saints did well to prevent Falkirk from equalising. Kevin James connected from the cross, but Forsyth was on hand at the back post to deflect the ball across the goal to MacDonald who cleared it to safety.
In 45 minutes, Mixu was fouled on the edge of the box, as the Falkirk defence confused him with a climbing frame. Even though the foul looked to have been committed on the edge of the box, Hugh Dallas asserted himself and moved the ball five yards back. Malone, sold the dummy, and MacDonald ran up and stroked a looping right footed strike over the wall and into the right hand corner.
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By now Falkirk, were well beaten. Yogi Hughes, made some changes but to no avail. Stark removed the shattered hero MacDonald for Parker, who’s pace combined with Donnelly’s vision continually threatened.
All in all, it was an excellent performance. Saints really had no option but to win today. They did so in a highly committed professional performance, and Stark has every right to be delighted this evening. Dods and Maxwell looked more solid as they settled into the game. Forsyth has made an excellent return to the side, Robertson’s form continues at a high level. The engine room, in Bernard and Reilly are gaining more authority in games, and Donnelly is becoming more involved. McLaughlin, also causes problems and routinely draws and extra man. Up front Mixu and Peaso complemented each other well, and both finished excellently. In goal, Cuthbert was assertive when claiming cross balls, and saved well when called on.
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