Both sides made one change coming into a bitter and cold clash at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night. Motherwell only needed a point to move back into third place after Aberdeen's win last night, but were without a win in their last 4 games. Saints were the form team coming into the match-up, only tasting defeat twice since the start of December. However the last time these two teams met Motherwell ran out 4-0 winners at Fir Park.
Motherwell were the first team to fashion a chance as Chris Long found himself in a bit of space and decided to test his luck from 25 yards. His shot had Zander Clark scrambling to cover his post, but it whistled past.
It was Drey Wright who would have the host's first attempt of the game, when Jason Holt's lofted cross found him after a lovely dinked ball from David Wotherspoon, the former Colchester winger could not get his volleyed effort on target.
Ali McCann had St. Johnstone on the front foot again when he intercepted a Liam Donnelly pass and found Callum Hendry, he tried to slide in Holt, but Donnelly got back and got a touch on the ball, however it ricocheted off Declan Gallagher and fell right into the path of Hendry and the striker arrowed it into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.
The visitors were searching for an equaliser when Mark O'Hara tried to find Allan Campbell's run in behind the Saints backline. Captain Jason Kerr read the play well and slid in to divert the ball away from the onrushing midfielder. However Long was first to the loose ball, he spotted Clark well off his line and drilled a low shot that the Saints keeper let roll past him, but it bounced in off the post leaving the 27-year old red in the face.
Motherwell should have been in the lead just shortly after that when a Jake Carroll long throw was flicked on by Long, Rolando Aarons had his volleyed blocked by Wotherspoon, it fell nicely for Jermaine Hylton who managed to put his shot wide from 5 yards out.
Saints looked to grab the lead before half-time, Wotherspoon slid the ball into McCann's feet, the young sensation worked a shooting chance and forced Gillespie into an unorthodox save from outside the area.
It took a while for the second half to get going, it was 70 minutes before either side fashioned any real opportunity. Substitue Matt Butcher swung a free kick into the back post, the ball broke to Hendry who had his shot blocked, Kerr took a fresh air swipe and McCann was dispossessed before he could strike his volley. The danger was not clear yet however, Anthony Ralston gave Wright some running room down the right hand side, his cross found the leaping Kerr who saw his header come off the outside of the post.
The hosts had another driving run down the right hand side this time through Ralston, who was pulled back by Christy Manzinga, the former DR Congo U20 international found his way into Nick Walsh's notebook. Butcher again whipped in the free kick, and produced another tantalising delivery, this time it somehow evaded all blue shirts and was eventually cleared by Gallagher.
Manzinga would find himself in even more trouble just 5 minutes later when he drove into the Saints box and threw himself to the ground while trying to get past Ali McCann, the referee had a great view and was immediately going to his pocket to give Manzinga his second yellow card of the contest, which saw him leave the pitch just 13 minutes after he entered it.
Saints were in control of the game and looked to be the only side capable of scoring, McCann, Butcher and Ralston all had efforts that failed to break the deadlock. Then Ralston and Kerr worked a great one-two that had the Saints skipper away down the right flank with space to cross. Chris Kane and Peter Hartley slid in for the ball, with the Saints striker getting the crucial touch that gave St. Johnstone the three points they deserved and got Kane his first league goal of the season.
The win keeps St. Johnstone in touch with Hibs and Kilmarnock in the race for the final top six spot, as both teams managed home wins on Wednesday night. Motherwell however stay in fourth after failing to pick up the point that was necessary for them to leapfrog Aberdeen in the standings.
St. Johnstone: Zander Clark; Anthony Ralston, Jason Kerr, Jamie McCart, Callum Booth; Liam Craig (Matt Butcher 51'), Jason Holt (Stevie May 85'), Ali McCann; Drey Wright, David Wotherspoon, Callum Hendry (Chris Kane 75').
Substitutes: Elliot Parish (GK), Liam Gordon, Scott Tanser, Matt Butcher, Isaiah Jones, Stevie May, Chris Kane.
Scorers: Callum Hendry 27', Chris Kane 90+3'
Motherwell: Mark Gillespie; Liam Grimshaw, Declan Gallagher, Peter Hartley, Jake Carroll; Mark O'Hara, Liam Donnelly, Allan Campbell; Rolando Aarons (Liam Polworth 84'), Jermaine Hylton (Christy Manzinga 69'), Chris Long (Tony Watt 64').
Substitutes: Trevor Carson (GK), Richard Tait, Tony Watt, Christy Manzinga, Liam Polworth, Bevis Mugabe, Ross MacIver
Scorer(s): Chris Long 32'
Red Card(s): Christy Manzinga 82'
MOTM: Callum Hendry - The striker was a real thorn in the side of the Motherwell defence, always pressing and allowing them no time on the ball, his hold up play was great in helping Saints get forward and the finish for the goal was just the icing on the cake of another great performance.
SPFL Round-Up
Results
Tuesday
Hamilton 1-3 Aberdeen
Wednesday
Celtic 5-0 Hearts
Hibernian 3-0 Ross County
Kilmarnock 2-1 Rangers
Livingston 2-1 St. Mirren
St. Johnstone 2-1 Motherwell
Table GP PTS GD
1. Celtic 26 70 +62
2. Rangers 25 60 +44
3. Aberdeen 26 41 +4
4. Motherwell 26 41 +1
5. Livingston 26 37 +4
6. Hibernian 26 33 -4
7. Kilmarnock 26 32 -6
8. St. Johnstone 25 30 -19
9. Ross County 26 25 -28
10. St. Mirren 26 22 -14
11. Hamilton 26 19 -22
12. Hearts 26 18 -22
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