St Mirren have seen off Ross County to grab their first points of the Premiership season in Paisley. A Richard Tait stunner was enough to give a delighted Stephen Robinson the win after consecutive defeats to Motherwell and Aberdeen.
For Malky MacKay and his side though it’s a third straight league loss to start the season. Robinson only made the one change from the Aberdeen defeat with the suspended Declan Gallagher being replaced by Marcus Fraser.
Meanwhile, MacKay brought in Josh Simms, Ouwra Edwards and handed Calum Johnson his first start among the differences from the Celtic game. The early possession was fairly even before County defender Baldwin got booked for a foul on Greg Kiltie but the free kick came to very little.
Further chances came for St Mirren through both strikers as Curtis Main failed to connect with a header following good work from Strain. Then Ayunga rattled one off the the post from outside the penalty area. Samuel had the first opportunity for the visitors after a swift County counter attack but Dunne’s last ditch block deflected the ball away for a corner.
Saints would then have another chance with midfielder Baccus but he fired just over the bar and it was goalless at the break. It may have been goalless at half time but the parity didn’t last long in the second half as St Mirren took the lead.
Former Motherwell defender Tait hit a beautiful strike from the edge of the box into the opposite top corner. Edwards should have levelled the game moments later at the back post somehow went wide of the post in a major let off for the Buddies.
Carson then pulled off a brilliant save to ensure his team picked up the win. Here are 3 talking points from Paisley.
Buddies off the bottom
It might only be the third game of the Premiership season but for Stephen Robinson this win couldn’t come quickly enough. It was an encouraging opening day performance against Motherwell but no points thanks to Liam Kelly’s outstanding display in goal and a penalty from Van Veen. But last week’s 4-1 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie, although the scoreline wasn’t helped by losing Gallagher to a red card after 22 minutes, meant that today’s victory was vital not only for points but just to get that winning feeling back within the squad, especially given the League Cup group stage disappointment. Now with this win secured thanks to goal from the unlikeliest of scorers in Tait, Saints gaffer Robinson will now be turning his attention to backing this up with another success when they play Dundee United at Tannadice next Saturday.
3 in a row for County
Ross County, like their hosts didn’t have any points on the board coming into this one, but they have put in encouraging displays against both Hearts at Tynecastle and at home to champions Celtic, losing 2-1 and 3-1 respectively. But as any manager will tell you good performances don’t always get the results which they warrant and the former Watford gaffer might feel the same way after today’s game. But as the only to not yet have registered a point in this Premiership campaign so far, he’ll be keen to rectify that as they welcome newly promoted Kilmarnock to the highlands next weekend.
Erhahon outstanding
Usually when you have a destroyer in the middle of the park they are hitting their 30s but it’s hard to believe Ethan Erhahpn is only 21. The midfielder has already racked up over a century of appearances for the club and has been the star man so far this season. And barring injuries and transfers the St Mirren fans will be hoping to see the youngster make another 100 appearances.
