The St Mirren U20s picked up their first three points of 2018 with a fine 3-1 win over St Johnstone at the Paisley 2021 Stadium last night.
The Young Buddies had to come from behind to pick up the win in the SPFL Development League - a win that moved The U20s up to 11th place.
It was the visitors who started brightly with experienced defender Brian Easton denied in the early proceedings by a good stop from David Wilson. But the visitors took the lead with just 13 minutes played. A neat crossfield pass was headed down by Shaun Struthers into the path of Cameron Thomson who volleyed into the top corner.
The Buddies found themselves less than 10 minutes later however. Robbie Leitch was fouled deep in the St Johnstone half as he tried to burst forward. Josh Todd, making his return to playing after dislocating his shoulder in September, swung the ball into the box where it met the head of Conor McBrearty whose header looped high over St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and into the net.
St Mirren took control after half time and Conor O'Keefe was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet when he found himself one-on-one with Sinclair. The winger elected to lob the goalkeeper and wasn't far away as it drifted just wide.
Todd and McBrearty had efforts from long range before Danny Mullen forced a fingertip save from Sinclair on the hour mark.
The Buddies wouldn't have to wait much longer for a second goal when Leitch scored a terrific effort on 63 minutes. The midfielder received the ball from substitute Sam Jamieson, taking a touch before picking his spot in the top left corner.
Jamieson turned provider to goalscorer when he sealed the win on 82 minutes. The striker played a one-two with Cameron MacPherson near the edge of the St Johnstone box and curled the ball low into the right corner to give the hosts all three points.
Buddievision subscribers can watch highlights of last night's win here.
St Mirren: Wilson, MacPherson, Miller, Irvine, Stelios, McBrearty, Glover, Todd, Leitch, O'Keefe, Mullen
Subs: Henry, McKendry, Trialist, Breadner, Reilly, Jamieson
