St Johnstone buoyed by cup win over Motherwell

Makenzie Kirk’s early goal gave St Johnstone fans some much-needed cheer and delivered a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup knockout to Motherwell without the visitors landing a blow.

Kirk netted on the rebound in the ninth minute to record St Johnstone’s first goal in the tournament since Shaun Rooney headed the winner in the 2021 final against Hibernian. They have since lost to Kelty Hearts, Rangers and Airdrie in the fourth round.

Kirk’s goal proved enough to send Saints into the fifth round with a 1-0 win and ended a nine-game run without victory that has seen them slide nine points adrift in the William Hill Premiership.

This win will give them hope they can cut the gap next week when they host Motherwell again.

The visitors only managed one shot on target and barely threatened despite enjoying the territorial advantage in the second half.

Saints manager Simo Valakari freshened things up by putting two new signings straight into his starting line-up. Panama midfielder Victor Griffith added some authority in midfield and Sheffield United loanee Sam Curtis provided pace on the right wing.

Motherwell were still without Liam Gordon and Harry Paton after their injury list grew to nine with the loss of Paul McGinn for the season. Sam Nicholson made his first start of the campaign.

Saints were to quick to take control of possession and went in front after Graham Carey’s corner. Archie Mair stopped Griffith’s near-post header but Kirk was on hand to net from a yard out.

Mair soon saved a Griffith shot with his feet after Carey pounced on a loose ball and Motherwell only threatened once in the first half, when Andy Fisher made a relatively comfortable save from Tawanda Maswanhise’s bobbling effort.

Saints could have added to their first-half lead after catching Motherwell wide open on two breaks. Kirk dragged a shot wide with Griffith unmarked in the middle and Kofi Balmer made a last-ditch tackle to stop Curtis. Carey also had a chance but volleyed over under pressure.

The only positive about the first half for the visitors was they were only one down and the 2,000 travelling fans made their displeasure known.

Stuart Kettlewell brought on Tom Sparrow and Stephen O’Donnell for Kai Andrews and Dan Casey at the interval but his side had a narrow escape when Carey curled a shot off the post from 25 yards.

Motherwell began to impose themselves on the home defence without managing to trouble Fisher from several moments in the opposition box.

Callum Slattery entered the fray but Motherwell still could not find much rhythm to their play and a new strikeforce of Tony Watt and Moses Ebiye got no change out of a home defence that was superbly marshalled by Jack Sanders.