Saints won through against the part timers this evening in a thrilling encounter. To begin with it only ever looked like it would go one way with Saints creating countless chances. However, Hamilton delivered two almost killer goals in the space of six minutes.
Having returned to a 442 formation, with Foryth and McLaughlin starting, and Mixu and Malone dropping out. Saints produced the "grit and determination" their manager had been calling for as Saints went searching for the win. Countless chances were created in the first half. Parker came close after 18 minutes, sending a curling left footed effort just wide after John Robertson had opened up the Hamilton defence down the right. After 24 minutes, Mark Robertson crossed to the top of the box, for the oncoming Bernard, but his right, side footed effort just missed the left hand post. After 30 minutes, following strong play by Bernard in the middle, Donnelly delivered a low cross from the left. McLaughlin dummied and let it fall to M. Robertson. He moved onto his left side, but cracked a left footed effort over from just inside the box. Shortly before half time, Donnelly delivered a high corner but David McEwan saved well from Maxwell’s header.
When Simon Donnelly did eventually give Saints the lead on the hour mark. Relief could be felt all around the stadium. Only the most cynical of fan would have predicted what the following hour would produce. Two wonder goals in the space of six minutes very nearly cued the Management Reaper to start heading north from White Hart Lane for Perth. In the 73rd minute, Darren Dods conceded a foul on the left hand edge of the box. Saints constructed a defensive wall, and Brian McLauglin prepared himself to run and block the effort. Hamilton played a short free kick, Brian Corrigan shimmied left before moving the ball onto his right side before releasing a high whipping curling drive which homed into the top right hand corner. Cuthbert was beaten again only four minutes later, when individual excellence on the left saw Mark Corcoran beating both Maxwell and Dods, moving in on the keeper and side footing a low curling left footed shot into the opposite bottom corner.
No Saints fan could believe it. It was almost too harsh. Just as no one had expected a loss on Saturday, as soon as Donnelly had given Saints the lead, the game had to be all over. It must have been even worse for Billy Stark. Watching his team, undeservedly fall behind in minutes. Suddenly, he was listening out for the predictable chanting.
His chosen eleven had 11 minutes to effectively save his credibility and possibly his job. Stark was quick to withdraw Donnelly for MacDonald. His philosophy must have been to maintain the same foundation of 442 that had been creating well throughout the game. But introduce a true box predator. It was very nearly immediately an inspired change. With six minutes remaining, McLaughlin’s inswinging corner was headed goalwards by Bernard. MacDonald tried to add the necessary touch to mis-foot the impressive Accies keeper, but frustratingly, it hit the top of the bar. Yet, this was not the last chance. With five minutes left, Stark sent on Mixu for Parker. One minute into stoppage time, Saints had won another corner. This time the ball fell to Reilly eight yards out, but his low drive took a deflection and then was knocked onto the post by a Hamilton defender. The ball was then cleared away up the pitch and the Saints defence were struggling to get back. Bernard, gave chase and then threw himself into the challenge, not only stopping the attack but knocking the ball into the path of Mark Robertson on the right wing. He turned and fired in a speculative cross. The ball then fell to Brian McLaughlin who released a low left footed volleyed drive beyond McEwan in the Hamilton goal. That was the final kick of the ninety minutes, and Saints had equalised!
Still, back to reality. The game was not won yet. Extra time remained. Saints were creating good openings, but struggled to beat the on form keeper McEwan. Four minutes into extra time, and M. Robertson had a low powerful deflected drive parried clear. From a corner after 12 minutes, Bernard’s header rebounded to Forsyth, but his effort was well saved. On the brink of half time Mixu headed wide from a McLaughlin cross after Bernard had worked well on the left hand edge of the box.
With 13 minutes remaining before penalty kicks, Mixu volleyed Saints into the next round. Forsyth, set off on a penetrating run down the left flank, played a one-two with McLaughlin then chipped his cross to the back post where Mixu volleyed first time into the left hand corner of the net.
Saints were much more accomplished this evening. It is concerning that they failed to score more over the ninety minutes, despite the creation and possession. However, they did manage to come from behind with only eleven minutes remaining. They have previously failed to achieve that with the exception of the previous Hamilton game. Especially, under the pressure and responsibility that they would have felt, with whatever reactions would have followed had they lost.
Returning to a 442 seemed to benefit the team’s overall performance. Tonight saw some excellent performances, Donnelly played well up front and played some delicate balls for Parker and McLaughlin. McLaughlin played well, showed his ability to create and capped it off with a fine finish. Forsyth had a good game and was instrumental in the winning goal. Bernard, was everywhere. Turning out his best performance of the season, and was perhaps unlucky not to score. He was rightly awarded with the sponsors man of the match at the end. The two Robertsons were equally committed and Mark was unlucky not to score. Keigan appeared to get frustrated, but put in 100%. Dods was well committed and had a good game. Maxwell, was reasonably solid, but showed moments of uncertainty. Reilly, marshalled his men well and turned in a typical workman performance, allowing Bernard to push forward. Cuthbert, was unlucky with the quality of the two goals, but was sound other than that.
Things look a bit better again. It may only have been Hamilton, but there is no way they deserved to win. It would have been a midnight robbery had they left victorious. Under the pressure that the team had tonight they exhibited another edge. Even with only 11 minutes to rescue Stark's career, they responded and won through. Saturday is a different game altogether, but it is totally unpredictable how Saints will fare. Stark's selection was correct tonight, and his substitutions were brave and in hindsight inspired.
Even though we won through, much cynicism remains over Stark's ability at the helm. His eleven face another mountain on Saturday. Ochilview already holds bad memories for Saints fans. By 4-45, his fate will have been set.
Billy Stark said after the match;
"Any way you want to analyse the game, it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t won,"
"I’m proud of my players and what they did at the end of the match is worth a million words. They didn’t give up and got their just reward."
Attendance—1471.
St Johnstone—Cuthbert, J Robertson, Forsyth, Bernard, Dods, Maxwell, Parker (Paatelainen 84), Reilly, M Robertson, Donnelly (MacDonald 82), McLaughlin (Malone 112). Subs not used—Nelson, Baxter.
Hamilton—McEwan, Whiteford, Hodge, Thomson, Lumsden (Corcoran 62), Sherry (Paterson 98), Carrigan, Aitken, Bailey (Forbes 66), McPhee, Convery. Subs not used—Gribben, Jemella.
Referee—Tom Brown.