St Mirren and Falkirk meet for the third this season tomorrow afternoon as they match-up in a Ladbrokes Championship fixture at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.
After a solid start to the season the form of Peter Houston’s side has been indifferent since the turn of December but for all that they still hold on to fourth place in the Championship as they look to get themselves back into the promotion playoffs for the second season running.
The previous meetings between the sides this season have panned out in a 1-1 draw at Paisley on 1st October and a 3-1 win for The Bairns in Falkirk on 3rd December. The match in Paisley saw Craig Sibbald give Falkirk an early lead when his shot from a free-kick took a wicked deflection off the St Mirren defensive wall sending the ball spinning away from Saints’ keeper Jamie Langfield and into the back of the net. Saints eventually got a reward for their efforts thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Tom Walsh who sent the ball flying past Falkirk keeper Danny Rogers.
Lewis Morgan gave Saints an early lead at The Falkirk Stadium in December but Jack Ross’ side were reduced to ten men shortly before the half-time break when Jack Baird was red carded for an off the ball tussle with Lee Miller. It was Miller who pulled The Bairns level two minutes into the second half before late strikes from Bob McHugh and Myles Hippolyte sealed the match for the home side.
Peter Houston has kept things ticking over during the January transfer window going for consolidation in his squad rather than wholesale changes. The month started with the departure of goalkeeper Deniz Dogan Mehmet but Falkirk swooped quickly to sign former Hamilton and Queen of the South keeper Robbie Thomson. The versatile John Rankin then parted ways with The Bairns but his squad slot was filled up rather sharpish with the signing of Canadian internationalist Fraser Aird from Rangers.
Meanwhile over in Paisley, Jack Ross has all but overhauled his squad with to date the departure of seven players who have been replaced with seven coming into the club. The latest departure is 18-year-old Kyle McAllister who signed for Derby County with Aberdeen’s Cammy Smith the latest coming in the way on a loan deal from Premiership side Aberdeen.
St Mirren’s last win against Falkirk was back on 17th October 2009 when Brian McLean gave The Bairns the lead early in the second half at The Falkirk Stadium. But late strikes from Craig Dargo, Billy Mehmet and Tom Brighton saw The Buddies take the points back to Paisley.
Falkirk come into the match on the back of a Scottish Cup loss to Morton while Saints look to build on their win in the same tournament against Dundee. The matches between Saints and Falkirk tend to be exciting match-ups for the fans so there is a good chance we see more of the same tomorrow.
