Source: FOOTYMAD
Second-Half 1-2-3 Sends Saints Marching On
The Perth Saints were too strong for their visitors from Dumfries Three goals in a six minute spell were enough to see St Johnstone through to the last eight of the Co-operative Insurance Cup at McDiarmid Park. The score possibly flattered the Perth Saints, as for over an hour the men from Dumfries had matched their opponents but in the end the SPL side ran out comfortable winners.Both managers made their intentions clear from the kick-off with their team selections, St Johnstone making just the one enforced change from Saturday's defeat of St Mirren with Collin Samuel coming in for the concussed Jackson. The Doonhamers lined up with Bob Harris returning from suspension in a positive looking 3-5-2 formation.The home side were first to threaten when Liam Craig blasted over the bar after Queen's keeper Robinson had spilled a high ball on the 20 minute mark. Seven minutes later a Grainger cross found Sam Parkin in the penalty area but the big striker failed to find the target. At the other end former Hearts and Rangers man Allan Johnston came close after good work by McLaren. The best chance of the half fell to Collin Samuel whose close range header was just too high from Maybury's inch perfect delivery.Half-Time: St Johnstone 0 Queen of the South 0The game continued to ebb and flow after the interval with chances for Johnston at one end, followed by a Myrie-Williams point blank header which was saved by Robinson at the foot of the post. With 68 minutes on the clock the homesters broke the deadlock when Craig Reid was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. Jody MORRIS stepped up to send Lee Robinson the wrong way from the spot. Four minutes later and it was 2-0. Hesitation in the Queens' defence allowed Marcus HABER a clear run on goal, and the substitute calmly slipped the ball under the advancing Robinson. Before the Dumfries side had time to draw breath Saints added a third after a neat interchange left Chris MILLAR in acres of space to slot home from close range.To their credit the Doonhamers continued to push forward but despite the lively McLaren's late effort being ruled out for offside the game was by then effectively over as a contest.Full-Time: St Johnstone 3 Queen of the South 0St Johnstone: Enckelman, Maybury, Grainger, Mackay, Duberry, Morris, Davidson (Anderson), Craig (Miller), Parkin, Samuel (Haber), Myrie-WilliamsSubs Not Used: Taylor, Smith.Queen of the South: Robinson, Reid, Harris, McKenna (McGuffie), Lilley, Conroy, Burns, Quinn, Holmes (Weatherston), Johnston (Carmichael), McLarenSubs Not Used: Scally, Hutton. Attendance: 1,624Referee: Alan Muir Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
