Match report: Kilmarnock 3-1 St Johnstone

Report: Finn Maley

Goals galore In Ayrshire. Polworth, Murray and Wales on the Kilmarnock scoresheet and a late Carey consolation for the visitors, concludes this evenings four-goal thriller in Ayrshire.

Kilmarnock welcomed an on-form St Johnstone side to BBSP Rugby Park this evening, with the hosts hopeful to break their run of 4 wins in a row. Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes makes two notable changes from last weeks’ impressive win against Dundee United, Robbie Deas and Liam Polworth feature in the starting lineup, with David Watson and Danny Armstrong dropped to the bench. 

Only one change for St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari after last week’s Scottish Cup win in Hamilton, with Barry Douglas replacing Taylor Steven.

Mackenzie Kirk got the match underway for St Johnstone, with Kilmarnock shooting towards the away fans in the Chadwick stand.

The first chance of the match comes from a Drey Wright half volley, which unchallenges  Kilmarnock Goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara as it goes off target.

KILMARNOCK 1-0 ST JOHNSTONE

Only nine minutes on the clock as Killie convert early. A ball through from Bobby Wales finds Liam Polworth who puts it past St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher to put the hosts ahead.

Quick feet from Fraser Murray as he cuts inside towards the St Johnstone goal and finds Bobby Wales on the edge of the box, who’s strike goes narrowly wide of the near post.

Kilmarnock piling on the pressure in the first 20, a great run from Fraser Murray down the by-line finds Robbie Deas outside the 6-yard box, who perfectly lays off Marley Watkins, who’s shot goes narrowly off target. 

Drey Wright was the first to be awarded a booking due to a foul on Kilmarnock’s Fraser Murray who has been disrupting the St Johnstone defence for the first 30 minutes.

A comfortable first half for Kilmarnock coming into the closing stages of the first half, St Johnstone beginning to pile on the pressure from various counter attacks, but none to trouble Kilmarnock’s Kieran O’Hara.

One minute to go in the first half and Kilmarnock came extremely close to doubling their lead. A busy Fraser Murray’s floating cross finds Marley Watkins at the back post, who’s headed shot hits the crossbar.

Half time at Rugby Park and a dominant Kilmarnock lead the visitors, from a Liam Polworth opener.

Kilmarnock’s lineup remains the same, coming into the second half, another couple of changes for St Johnstone as Sam Curtis and Barry Douglas make way for Taylor Steven and Zach Mitchell.

Kilmarnock got us underway, the home side facing the Moffat Stand.

A big opportunity for St Johnstone in the first few minutes of the second half, an inswinging cross from Stephen Duke-McKenna finds Mackenzie Kirk at the back post, who under little pressure fails to keep his shot down and on target.

Lewis Mayo was awarded the first card for Kilmarnock a few minutes into the second half.

50’ minutes on the clock and another inswinging cross from Stephen Duke-Mckenna makes its way along the Kilmarnock line as Kieran O’Hara scrambles to push the ball away from the goal mouth.

An hour on the clock and St Johnstone, begun to create multiple chances, putting more pressure onto the Kilmarnock back line.

Lyons gets on the end of a Kilmarnock cross, goalkeeper Andy Fisher, down quick to deny any goalscoring opportunity.

KILMARNOCK 2 – 0 ST JOHNSTONE

Fraser Murray with a moment of magic from distance. His free kick soars over the St Johnstone wall, beating Andy Fisher at his far post. A superb strike to double Kilmarnock’s lead!

KILMARNOCK 3 – 0 ST JOHNSTONE

Lewis Mayo picks out Bobby Wales, who manages to get in behind the St Johnstone defence, bringing the ball down with an excellent touch, accompanied by a composed finish past the keeper. Kilmarnock 3-0 St Johnstone.

66’ minutes on the clock, brings David Watson onto the park, who replaces Kyle Magennis, alongside St Johnstone who bring on Adama Sidibeh for Mackenzie Kirk.

20 minutes to go as Kilmarnock eye more goals, scorer Bobby Wales makes way for Bruce Anderson.

Coming into the closing stages of the game. Derek McInnes brings on Innes Cameron to bolster the Kilmarnock front line, accompanied by Liam Donnelly and Matty Kennedy, who replaced Fraser Murray, Marley Watkins and Liam Polworth.

As the fourth official indicates added time (4 minutes), Graham Carey manages to grab one back for the visitors, with a low finish beating Kieran O’Hara at his far post.

Stephen Duke-McKenna tries a shot from distance which drags wide of the Kilmarnock goal, as the referee concludes the match, with Kilmarnock taking all 3 points.

Score: KILMARNOCK 3 – 1 ST JOHNSTONE

Scorers: Kilmarnock – Liam Polworth, Fraser Murray, Bobby Wales. St Johnstone scorer – Graham Carey.