Depleted Saints slip to defeat at The Carrick

The home side, however, soon got into their stride and when Jason Stevenson sent Leo Simpson’s quickly taken 16th minute free-kick across the face of goal, the Saints’ defence couldn’t clear their lines and the ball was deflected into the back of the net from close range.

Chryston full backs Ryan Waugh and Jason Stevenson were getting forward at every opportunity and Waugh shot narrowly wide after a well-timed 18th minute run from deep left Saints appealing in vain for an offside decision. 

Two minutes later Stevenson beat Cammy Clark on the Chryston left and lifted the ball over the advancing Craig Maitland. Drew Murray did well to get back and clear the ball off the goal-line, however,  Dylan McLaughlin slotted home from a tight angle.

Saints tried to get back into the game with a David Beaton shot from a Gavin Forgrieve free-kick well blocked by Chryston skipper Ronan McLaughlin, the son of former Celtic and Scotland winger Brian, before Connor Moore forced another good save from Aedan Houston.

The home side were giving the previously untried Saints back four of Cammy Clark, Shaye Black, Drew Murray and Scott Maitland a torrid time and only profligate finishing and some fine saves from Craig Maitland kept the half-time deficit at two.

Cammy Clark survived just eight second-half minutes before injury forced him off to be replaced by Rhys Millar with Fraser MacFarlane dropping back to take the right full back berth vacated by Clark.

MacFarlane suffered an eye-watering injury himself,  from which he required a spell on the sidelines, meaning Saints had to play on with ten men as they didn’t have another substitute but thankfully Fraser recovered to re-join the action.

Gavin Forgrieve battled hard in midfield all afternoon, assisted by Keiran Griffin and Matty Pollock, but his mistimed 61st minute challenge on the edge of the Saints’ box gave Leo Simpson a chance to test Craig Maitland with the dead-ball. The Saints’ defensive wall did its job but the ball broke back to Simpson whose second attempt brought an excellent save from Maitland at full stretch low to his right.

Saints were enjoying a decent spell without seriously testing Aedan Houston, however, a defensive mistake at the back by young Shaye Black saw Drew Murray trip Ronan McLaughlin in the Saints’ box giving referee John McNab, who handled proceedings well, an easy decision to point to the penalty spot. 

McLaughlin wasn’t to be denied his goal and converted with aplomb from 12 yards.

The search for a Saints’ consolation goal continued in vain with Rhys Millar firing the ball over the bar after linking well with Fraser MacFarlane on the right. 

Millar’s perseverance won an 88th minute free-kick on the goal-line wide on the right. Gavin Forgrieve picked out David Beaton with the dead-ball, but Aedan Houston preserved his highly prized clean sheet, getting down smartly to his left to push what looked like a goal-bound effort from Beaton round the post.    
Referee John McNab allowed only two minutes of added on time before blowing the final whistle with Chryston good value for their 3-0 win.

This Saturday, Saints remain on league duty when they host old rivals Kings Park Rangers. 
Manager Ross Maitland will be hoping he has a bigger squad of players to choose from for this fixture. 

The game will either be at Glen 2 or the 3G pitch at Oban High School, depending on the weather, with a 2pm kick-off. 

Referee Kevin O’Neil from Glasgow will be in charge.