MATCH REPORT: FALKIRK 0-2 ST MIRREN

Falkirk fell to an opening day defeat as a Killian Phillips brace saw St Mirren secure three points at The Falkirk Stadium.

It was an open start to the game, with both sides creating goal scoring chances. Summer signing Ethan Laidlaw produced an excellent piece of skill on the left wing before picking out Jack McMillan, who fired just wide on the half volley. 

The visitors responded well from there and came close through Killian Phillips, as he latched onto the end of a long ball before forcing a save from Scott Bain at close range. 

St Mirren continued to trouble the Falkirk defence and after some continued pressure, broke the deadlock as Killian Phillips met a first-time cross from Henry Fieldson, forcing it home at the near post to give the visitors the lead with just over ten minutes played.

The Bairns came close in their quest for an equaliser soon after, as Ryan Strain made a dangerous run down the right before picking out an unmarked Finn Yeats at the edge of the area. His effort was well held by the keeper though, as Falkirk’s hunt for a goal continued. 

Two big chances in quick succession for Ross MacIver saw Falkirk come agonisingly close to levelling the scores as the striker was inches away from turning in an Ethan Laidlaw cross before rifling a separate opportunity into the side netting moments later.

A heroic bit of goalkeeping from Scott Bain denied the Buddies their second of the game on the cusp of half time after Killian Phillips found himself in an excellent position inside the Bairns’ box. His strike was heading towards the roof of the net, but the Falkirk shot-stopper was equal to it.

The visitors were first to put the pressure on in the second half as Eseosa Sule pounced on a loose ball at the back before calling Scott Bain into action once again as the keeper made an excellent save to deny St Mirren a second. 

Falkirk did have the ball in the net with twenty minutes to go as substitute Ben Parkinson forced the ball over the line from close range within a minute of coming on, but it was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check due to a handball in the buildup.

The Bairns continued to press for an equaliser following the disallowed goal and managed to sustain a period of pressure in the final third; however a rapid counter from St Mirren following a Bairns corner allowed Killian Phillips to double his tally as his deflected effort found its way into the net with less than five minutes to play.

The full time whistle blew after four minutes of added time, and St Mirren walked away from The Falkirk Stadium with the three points. 

Falkirk head to Motherwell on Sunday August 9 in their second William Hill Premiership fixture, as they hope to earn their first points of the league campaign. 

Team Information

FALKIRK XI: Scott Bain, Jack McMillan, Liam Henderson ©, Ross MacIver, Craig Sibbald, Ethan Laidlaw, Finn Yeats, Scott Tanser, Joe Gardner, Deniss Melniks, Ryan Strain.
BENCH: Nicky Hogarth, Leon McCann, Coll Donaldson, Ben Parkinson, Paul McGovern, Lewis Neilson, Connor Allan, Ethan Ross, Aodhan Doherty.

ST MIRREN XI: Jacob Chapman, Jayden Richardson, Ryan Carr, Eseosa Sule, Samuel Ramos, Alex Gogic, Marcus Fraser ©, Chris Mochrie, Paul Nsio, Henry Fieldson, Killian Phillips (11’, 86’).
BENCH: Peter Urminsky, Liam Donnelly, Richard King, Roland Idow, Luke Thomas, Jake Taylor, Fraser Taylor, Luke Douglas, Carrick McEvoy.

REFEREE: Duncan Nicholson
ATTENDANCE: 7058

Report by Robbie Hill
Cover Image by Ruby Adam