Saints Complete Inspired Comeback Win

Match Preview

Going into Saturday's game at Rugby Park where Kilmarnock were taking on St.Johnstone for the third time this season and pressure was growing on manager Alex Dyer. The previous meetings between these two sides this season were both St.Johnstone victories. The first being a 2-1 triumph back in August with a 94th minute Michael O'halloran goal sinking 10 man Kilmarnock with 'saints' coming from 1-0 down to win. The next time the teams played it was a cagey affair at McDiarmid Park with a 70th minute McNamara strike being all between the teams in a particularly foggy Perth.

[St.Johnstone vs Kilmarnock last time out - Image:@SNS]

So far this season these teams have both endured similar league positions and before Saturday were both on 24 points, however 'Killie' had a game in hand on their opponents from Perth. Between the teams they had only won 12 games from 49 and have lost a staggering 25, with Kilmarnock in particular only avoiding defeat on 10 occasions. The winner of this match would have themselves within touching distance of Dundee United and slowly push away from struggling Ross County and Hamilton as well as their opponents with only 7 or 8 games until the split.

The First Half

It was a lively start to the game, with a St.Johnstone ball into the box finding Ali McCann in the box who tested Rodgers from range within a minute. This was followed by a couple of dangerous corners which ultimately fell to nothing. Some nice neat play from the men in yellow in the early stages was a sign of thing to come with passes being sprayed about with urgency and purpose.

A Kilmarnock ball from the left into the box was well cleared but the Ayrshire side were certainly growing into the game. Kabamba laid the ball off to veteran Burke who jinked inside and out with expertise, the 37 year old winger danced inside and out away from Tanser before firing his drive past a helpless Clark to put Kilmarnock infront. 1-0 up and despite St Johnstone controlling the game up until this point it was the home side who held the lead in 5 minutes.

'Saints' were once again on the prowl and some probing passes into the final third were certainly troubling the 'Killie' defence. Kane's penalty appeal was shrugged off by referee Aitken before his through ball to strike partner Melamed was flagged for offside. St.Johnstone then had a flurry of efforts within a space of around 20 minutes with Davidson, Melamed, Kane and Wotherspoon all trying their luck but to no avail.

On the other side Kilmarnock were maintaining a strong resolve and a disciplined performance including a Rory McKenzie shot being blocked. There were appeals for Tanser to be sent off after it appeared he had kicked out at Millen but again Aitken was unmoved. Then the second goal game. 31 minutes in and a Power long ball found McKenzie well on the left who evaded the Rooney before his cross found Kabamba, his effort was deflected by McCart into the path of Tshibola who simply could not miss, making no mistake from a few yards out and all of a sudden Kilmarnock had doubled their lead. 2-0 up in 31 and Dyer's men were in dreamland, despite not their best performance they were all of a sudden in a rather comfortable lead and it looked as if it was going to be their day for a much needed win.

3 St.Johnstone corners in a matter of minutes from Wotherspoon all resulted in nothing before a 43rd minute Burke strike from the same position as his goal was saved by Clark. End of the half and it was 2-0 at the break. Surely there was no way back for Davidson's men.

Second Half

Despite being 2 goals down St.Johnstone must have felt hard done by, they had more shots, possession and almost 100 more passes completed than their opponents. The team talk seemed to have worked as the Perth men came out fighting with some good attacking play showing 'Killie' that the game was far from done. Then a McKenzie strike from range was well denied by the St.Johnstone keeper to keep his side in the game.

53rd minute and a lovely attacking move from St.Johnstone was passed around from Wotherspoon to Tanser, his low cross flicked on from Kane to Melamed who fired past Rodgers from close range to pull his side firmly back into the contest. 2-1 and a lifeline had been handed to 'saints' who looked well on top with plenty of time to go.

15 minutes after goal number one and despite a good performance no St.Johnstone player could get that elusive leveler. Then a Wotherspoon free-kick was sent deep to the back post, captain Kerr met it and headed the ball down to Melamed, the Israeli's soft pass squared to midfield general Davidson to bundle home from the center of the goal and Callum Davidson's side were back on level terms. Nobody could begrudge St.Johnstone the scoreline with an impressive second half showing more than meriting their goals.

[St.Johnstone celebrate Davidson's equaliser - Image:Sky Sports]

Now the game seemed firmly in the hands of the team from the 'fair city' and they were hungry for a winner. Momentum on their side in the 72nd minute sub May found Melamed, he then ran with the ball before laying it off to Northern Ireland international McCann whose powerful low drive from outside the box nestled in the bottom corner well away from the scrambling Rodgers to put 'saints' into the lead! For the first time this match they were in control in terms of the scoreline with a performance which rivals their best in recent years. All they had to do to complete their comeback was hold out for another 20 minutes and a valuable three points would be going to St.Johnstone.

Hold out they did, with very little chances-wise breaking for either team for the rest of the 90 bar a few Conway and May link ups being halted before getting into dangerous territory. Full time and it was St.Johnstone who had won to the despair of Kilmarnock fans who must have thought the game was won at half time.

Match Reaction

This game proved to be one too far for Dyer who only took over on a permanent deal last year but this feels like it had been a long time coming. Kilmarnock have been largely underwhelming this season and it seemed as if the fans had turned against the 55 year old who has since left the club by mutual consent as a result of this game, especially the way it unraveled . with Kilmarnock now 9th in the league only 5 points above Hamilton with a game extra played.

[Dyer watching on from the sidelines - image:@SNS]

From a St.Johnstone point of view this game was a roaring success, although it did expose the cracks in their usually solid defence, with some rookie mistakes being made in the first half to show that they do have frailties at the back. That second half performance will live long in the memory of fans who watched at home on their computer screens and Televisions. The fight and desire the players showed will surely impress Davidson after going behind and then grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck to turn it around. This match was the first that St.Johnstone have turned around from two goals down at the break in the top flight since Willie Ormond's side recovered to beat Arbroath 5-2. Saturday was also the first time that 'Saints' have scored 3 goals in a league game at Rugby Park since 1988. A great win for St.Johnstone who now extend their unbeaten run to 6 games.

Overall, this game had it all with the sides putting away five goals in an end to end contest. Next up for Kilmarnock is Celtic at home on Tuesday, who come off the back of a disapointing loss to St Mirren for the first time in 31 years at Celtic Park. St.Johnstone have league leaders Rangers at McDiarmid Park who remain unbeaten this season and look to extend their 23 point lead at the top. These next two fixtures made today ever more important for these two sides in a real bottom half 6 pointer.

This was written by StJohnstoneFansVoice

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