Jack Ross reflects on a tough day for the Saints as they lose away to Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. 

It was a day to forget for St Mirren as they were on the end of a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup.

It's a result that puts to an end Saints hopes of qualifying for the next round with one match remaining. 

An even opening 10 minutes saw both sides go close but it was Jordan Kirkpatrick, making his first St Mirren start, who forced the first save of the match with a long range effort that Tomas Cerny had to do well to push away from goal.

But the home side were ahead two minutes later. There were suspicions of offside as Blair Spittal's knock down found Kris Doolan inside the area and the striker finished low into the far corner beyond Ross Stewart.

The Jags, buoyed by the opener, were on the ascendancy and should have been 2-0 when Abdul Osman found Chris Erskine who held off the challenge of Gary MacKenzie to race clear on goal. The midfielder will have felt he should have done better when his shot was blocked by the legs of Stewart. Credit to the Saints goalkeeper though who did well to deny the 30 year-old.

However, from the resultant short corner Erskine made amends as he received the ball from Steven Lawless on the edge of the box before playing it back to the winger who drilled the Jags into a two goal lead.

The home side were on top but Saints could have got themselves back into the match when Kirkpatrick slipped in Gavin Reilly on the left hand side after capitalising on slack play from Abdul Osman. The striker broke into the box and would have been disappointed not to make the goalkeeper work as he dragged the ball wide.

Soon after it was effectively game over when Lawless notched his second of the match to make it 3-0. Callum Booth picked out Lawless who finished well from the edge of the box.

Saints' misery was further added to a mere four minutes later when Spittal added his name to the list of scorers. Jack Baird was penalised for a foul around 25 yards out and picked up a booking. Spittal stepped up and curled it neatly into the near post leaving Stewart with no chance.

Half Time: Partick Thistle 4-0 St Mirren

Abdul Osman was giving a yellow card for a poor challenge on Stephen McGinn early into the second half that gave St Mirren a free kick in a good area. Lewis Morgan went for goal but sent the effort wide.

10 minutes later Osman was sent packing after another bad tackle on the Saints skipper. Yet almost immediately after the red card Thistle had further extended their lead. The home side won the ball back from the free kick, Erskine skipped by Darren Whyte before sending an excellent ball across the middle to the onrushing Spittal who slid it into the net. 

Saints had a couple of opportunities to get themselves a consolation goal with Cammy Smith drilling a shot wide and substitute Ross Stewart heading just over the bar, but it was Ian McShane who really came closest forcing a tremendous save from Cerny. The midfielder looked set to score his first Buddies goal but the Czech goalkeeper pushed away his effort as it was set to find the top corner. 

The game, however, was long since over and Saints will close their Betfred Cup campaign at home to Airdrieonians next week before concentrations turn to the Ladbrokes Championship. 

Full Time: Partick Thistle 5-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Stewart, Whyte, MacKenzie, Baird, Irvine, McShane, McGinn, Morgan, Smith (Stewart 73), Kirkpatrick (O'Keefe 45), Reilly (Sutton 64)
Subs Not Used: Samson, Buchanan, Horne, Erhahon

Partick Thistle: Cerny, Booth, Devine, Barton, Osman, Erskine (Edwards 65), Elliot, Bannigan (McCarthy 83), Spittal, Lawless, Doolan (Nisbet 74)
Subs Not Used: Scully, Penrice, Lamont, McLaughlin

Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: David Munro

Attendance: 2727 (883 St Mirren fans)

St Mirren travel to Maryhill tomorrow as they face Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. 

It's been a mixed bag for Saints in their first two matches with one win and one loss.

The Buddies opened their Betfred Cup campaign with a 4-1 win away to Stranraer last weekend. Ex-St Mirren midfielder Scott Agnew gave the Blues an early lead before goals from Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart and Lewis Morgan had Saints ahead at the interval. Gregor Buchanan scored his first St Mirren goal early in the second half to put the game beyond doubt and seal three points. 

Livingston came to the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Tuesday night and left with all three points after a second minute strike from Dale Carrick secured the Lions a 1-0 victory over the Buddies. 

Premiership opponents Partick have only played one match in the Betfred Cup so far - a 1-1 draw with Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena last Saturday. Chris Erskine gave the Jags the lead on 14 minutes, with Keaghan Jacobs equalising for the hosts a minute into the second half. The match went to penalties with Livi picking up the bonus point after goalkeeper Neil Alexander saved from Christie Elliot, Blair Spittal and Kris Doolan.

Alan Archibald hasn't had too much to do in the transfer market thus far. The Thistle manager has recruited Blair Spittal from Dundee United and signed Niall Keown permanently from Reading after a successful loan spell at the club last season. 19 year-old prospect Jamie Sneddon has also joined from Cowdenbeath.

Strikers David Amoo and Ade Adeez both left the Jags to join Cambridge United, while highly thought of defender Liam Lindsay departed the Glasgow club to join English Championship side Barnsley. Sean Welsh also departed the club after five years when his contract expired. 

Tomorrow's meeting will be the first time the two have met since Partick defeated Saints 2-1 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in January 2016 to reach the last 16 of the Scottish Cup. Second half goals from Dan Seaborne and David Amoo put the Jags in control and a late Keith Watson strike for Saints was nothing more than a consolation. 

The last time the two faced each other at Firhill came over two years ago when Ryan Stevenson, Kris Doolan and Steven Lawless gave the home side an emphatic 3-0 win in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

The Jags also came out on top the last time the teams met in the League Cup. An extra time goal from Nathan Eccleston in September 2014 was enough to secure a 1-0 for Alan Archibald's side and saw them progress to the quarter finals. 

Saints did win at Firhill in league competition in 2015 when an early James Dayton goal saw the Buddies triumph 1-0. 

A win for St Mirren tomorrow would give qualification hopes a real shot in the arm ahead of the final match of Group H against Airdrieonians on Saturday 29th July. For Partick, they'll be looking to ensure that they don't fall further behind in their bid to reach the last 16 of the competition. 

The match is pay-at-the-gate with prices at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. For matchday info click here. 

* Students must have valid ID as proof of status.

** Wheelchair disabled fans will be located in the Colin Weir Stand at the red disability gate and will be able to pay cash at the gate. Names of anyone attending should be given to the St Mirren Ticket Office by midday today (Friday 21st July).

St Mirren Ticket Office Phone No: (0141) 840-6130.
St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 22nd July, St Mirren play their third match in Betfred Cup, Group H as they head to Glasgow to face Premiership side Partick Thistle.

The gate prices have now been confirmed for the fixture at Firhill Stadium and these are shown above.

The referee tomorrow is Stephen Finnie and he will be assisted by David McGeachie and Gary Hilland. The Fourth Official will be David Munro.

Travel Clubs

North End Travel Club

The bus to Firhill will leave the Sneddon at 2:00pm.

All seats on this bus are £5 each. Bus tickets are now on sale in The Brewers Tap.

For directions to Firhill Stadium click here

On Saturday afternoon (22nd July), St Mirren make the short trip to Glasgow to face Premiership side Partick Thistle in a Betfred Cup group match at Firhill Stadium.

The latest info we have on Travel Clubs heading to Firhill Stadium for the match is as follows:

North End Travel Club

The bus to Firhill will leave the Sneddon at 2:00pm.

All seats on this bus are £5 each. Bus tickets are now on sale in The Brewers Tap.

St Mirren's official gym partner Pro-Life are hosting a summer fun day on Sunday 30th July 2017 to raise funds for the Renfrewshire Sports Charity.  

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick will be one of the guests at the event with entry free for kids and just £5 for adults. 

Tickets are on sale at the reception of the Pro-Life Fitness Centre on New Sneddon Street, Paisley. 

The Buddies agreed their partnership with Pro-Life last season and we are delighted that it has been renewed for the upcoming season. 

The players staff benefit from nutritional advice and diet plans set out by Pro-Life specialists, whilst also taking part in various fitness classes. 

Speaking about the renewal of the partnership, manager Jack Ross said: "The relationship we had with Pro-Life was already in place before I took the job, but I'm delighted that we are continuing it. 

"Gayle Brannigan who runs the facility has been a great support. It benefits us enormously in terms of our performances so delighted we are continuing that relationship." 

When we launched the sale of the season tickets we announced that for every 250 season tickets sold we would be doing a ‘golden ticket’ draw with a range of great ‘money can’t buy’ prizes to be won.

Before last night's match our first winner, 12 year-old Ethan Speir, was presented with his prize - a brand new 2017/18 home jersey with 'Ethan' and the number 12 on the back.

The youngster won the prize after being the 12th person to buy their season ticket for the upcoming campaign. 

He was presented with his new jersey on the pitch by manager Jack Ross before last night's Betfred Cup match against Livingston.

The club have agreed that no player will be assigned the number 12 this season to encourage the ethos that the fans are the 12th man and encourage supporters to get number 12 on their shirt. 

Pictures from last night's 1-0 loss to Livingston in the Betfred Cup 

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Jack Ross reflects on a disappointing 90 minutes as the Buddies fall to defeat against Livingston in the Betfred Cup. 

St Mirren's first game of the season at the Paisley 2021 Stadium ended in defeat as an early goal from Dale Carrick was enough to gain Livingston three points. 

The Livi midfielder struck with just two minutes on the clock and that strike was enough for the visitors to hold on to for the rest of the match as they secured a big win in the Betfred Cup.

Kyle Jacobs' ball into the box was chested down into the path of Carrick who lashed the lions into a lead. 

It was an early setback for Saints and it could've got worse almost immediately as Craig Samson had to deny Scott Pittman moments later. Gary Irvine was caught in possession by Danny Mullen who found Jacobs before he laid it off to Pittman with the Buddies goalkeeper doing well to block. 

Steadily though St Mirren grew into the game after being rocked early doors. Cammy Smith almost had Saints level on 12 minutes as he got on the end of a Lewis Morgan cutback, but a deflection took it by the post. 

Ross Stewart, making his home debut, nearly added to his goal against Stranraer on Saturday after being found in space on the right. The forward broke into the box and forced Neil Alexander to make a good stop at his near post. 

Gregor Buchanan went close as he headed over from an Ian McShane corner before Morgan flashed an effort across the face of goal with no takers.

Stephen McGinn almost caught out Alexander with a curling effort but it was comfortably held by the experienced Livi keeper. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-1 Livingston

Saints forced a couple of corners after the interval but failed to make any count with Alexander not having a save to make. 

Livingston went close to doubling their lead when Alan Lithgow rose above the St Mirren defence to head just over the bar from a free kick on the left.

Substitute Conor O'Keefe slammed the ball into the net with 77 minutes played, but the linesman's flag has already been raised after the youngster strayed offside after McGinn's flick on. 

O'Keefe looked like he might bag his first St Mirren goal as he got on the end of a header down. The youngster's scissor kick was heading right into the bottom corner of the net, only for Rafa De Vita to be in the right place at the right time to block. 

One last chance would come for Saints as the clock reached the 90 minute mark. A cross from Stelios was headed down by MacKenzie who looked to put it into the path of McGinn but the skipper was unable to reach the ball as trickled wide.

Full Time: St Mirren 0-1 Livingston 

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Buchanan (Kirkpatrick 78), MacKenzie, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Stewart (Sutton 61), Smith (O'Keefe 70), Morgan, Reilly
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Baird, MacPherson, Sutton

Livingston: Alexander, Lithgow, Halkett, Gallagher, Byrne, Pittman, Mullin, Jacobs (Todorov 62), De Vita, Mullen (Peters 79), Carrick (Longridge 33)
Subs Not Used: Maley, Mackin, Knox

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Jim Burns

Attendance: 2,104

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography