St Mirren are on their travels again this weekend as they make the journey to face Falkirk in the Ladbrokes Championship.
The Buddies ended the first quarter of fixtures with a 2-0 win away to Dumbarton last weekend. Goals from Gavin Reilly, his 10th of the season, and John Sutton saw the Saints win at Dumbarton for the first time since 1996 and pick up three points to meet their target of 21 points from the first nine fixtures.
The first quarter began against tomorrow's opponents Falkirk who Saints faced on the opening day of the 2017/18 league season in August. Nathan Austin gave the visitors an early lead in Paisley before fans favourite Stelios Demetriou levelled before half time. Cammy Smith and Gavin Reilly were on target after the interval to give St Mirren a first opening day win since 2006 and a first triumph over the Bairns since a 3-1 victory in 2009.
Despite a strong Betfred Cup group stage, defeat to Saints signalled the beginning of a challenging start to the league season for Falkirk. One of the title favourites, no wins in their first seven league matches saw the club part ways with manager Peter Houston in September.
Ex-Saints manager Alex Smith was appointed as caretaker at the age of 77 - making him the oldest boss in European football. Smith guided the side to a first league win of the season against Morton at Cappielow, before defeating Dunfermline 2-0 in the IRN-BRU Cup.
Paul Hartley was appointed permanent manager earlier this month and took charge of his first match last weekend as the Bairns battled out a 0-0 draw with Inverness at the Falkirk Stadium. That stalemate was Falkirk's fifth league game at home this season without a win. This week, Hartley supplemented his backroom team with the appointment of Jimmy Nicholl as assistant manager, while Tam Ritchie joined as fitness coach.
A familiar face to Saints is that of Falkirk striker Rory Loy. The forward joined St Mirren on loan from Dundee in January and played a vital role in keeping the Buddies in the Championship – scoring seven goals including the vital equaliser against Hibernian on the final day of the season. However, the striker hasn't featured for the side since their 2-0 loss to Livingston in September.
Ironically, it was Loy who opened the scoring for St Mirren the last time the Buddies faced Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. Still trying to secure Championship status, Loy fired Saints ahead after just five minutes. Lee Miller equalised for the hosts on 20 minutes before a wonderful finish from Stephen McGinn gave St Mirren a second half lead. But Falkirk substitute Bob McHugh gained the home side a point with his finish on 77 minutes.
Saints last win away against the Bairns was the aforementioned 3-1 win in 2009. Craig Dargo, Billy Mehmet and Tom Brighton scored as the Buddies came from behind to win in the then SPL. Manager Jack Ross started for the Buddies that afternoon as did current club captain Stephen McGinn.
The captain is, however, a doubt for St Mirren tomorrow after picking up a knock in last weekend's win over Dumbarton. Saints are also still without long term absentees Harry Davis, Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd, but Gary Irvine and Jamie McCart are available for selection after injury ruled them out last week.
Tomorrow's match will be a difficult one for Saints as they look to maintain the gap they have built at the top of the table. But with seven wins from nine in the League, there is a confidence about this Saints side that they can beat anyone on their day. Falkirk, whose desire to kickstart their season under Hartley will make them a tough prospect tomorrow, will want to avoid losing more ground in their hopes of making the play-offs as they currently sit 10 points off fourth place Dundee United.
