A dramatic late Alex Greive header saw St Mirren win 3-2 against Hibernian on the opening day of the 2023/24 cinch Premiership season.
The Buddies had been in control at half-time with two goals in two minutes from Mark O'Hara and Toyosi Olusanya seeing us 2-0 up inside 17 minutes. But the hosts hit back in the second-half with Adam Le Fondre and Christian Doidge levelling the scores in the final 10 minutes. The drama didn't end there though with New Zealand striker Greive heading home the winner on 89 minutes to give Saints an opening day three points.
Manager Stephen Robinson had originally made one change from the side that defeated Forfar Athletic 4-0 in the Viaplay Cup last weekend with Greg Kiltie returning from injury in place of Stav Nahmani. But Saints would be forced into another change before kick-off when Mikael Mandron dropped out with an injury in the warm-up and was replaced by Olusanya.
The Buddies started brightly and were awarded a penalty on 13 minutes after a VAR check. Kiltie was tripped in the box by Joe Newell and the Buddies midfielder was incredulous no spot-kick was initially forthcoming. But VAR advised referee Euan Anderson to take a look at the monitor and he pointed to the spot after his check. Saints captain O'Hara sent David Marshall the wrong way as he rolled into the net from 12 yards to score his third goal of the season already.
Less than two minutes later the skipper turned provider as he set up Olusanya to double Saints' advantage. The forward burst ahead of Hibees defender Will Fish to reach O'Hara's pass and slotted through the legs of Marshall to make it 2-0.
Toyosi Olusanya doubled our lead with his first league goal for the Buddies (Image: Craig Brown)
The hosts responded by making two changes before the half hour mark with Jordan Obita and Dylan Levitt introduced in place of Allan Delferriere and Josh Campbell. But still Saints were controlling the match and Ryan Strain almost added a third in the final few minutes of the first-half. Newell fouled Keanu Baccus 25 yards from goal and his Australian teammate stepped up to take the free-kick, but flashed the effort just over the bar.
The home side began to exert more pressure as the game headed towards the hour mark and almost pulled one back when Elie Youan managed to get in behind the Saints defence. The Hibs winger bore down on goal but saw his effort well blocked by Zach Hemming at the near post with Will Fish heading the resulting corner over.
Hibs would pull one back with less than 20 minutes remaining after hitting Saints on the counter. Substitution Le Fondre knocked the ball down the line for Doidge and burst forward into the box to receive the return pass from his strike partner before sliding into the far corner of the net to reduce the deficit.
It was Doidge who would draw the hosts level on 82 minutes when he turned in Youan's low ball across from the right to equalise much to the delight of the previously frustrated home support.
The Buddies dug deep though and showed terrific character to find a winner seven minutes later. Kiltie's cross was perfect for Greive who glanced beyond Marshall to win it in front of the nearly 1000 strong travelling Saints support.
Full-Time: Hibernian 2-3 St Mirren
St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, R.Taylor, Strain (Bolton 90), Baccus, O'Hara (c), Tanser, Kiltie, Olusanya (Greive 68), McMenamin (Boyd-Munce 77)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Dunne, Flynn, Jamieson, Nahmani
Hibernian: Marshall, Delferriere (Obita 29), Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson, Doyle-Hayes (Jeggo 81), Newell, Campbell (Levitt 29), Boyle (Le Fondre 63), Doidge, Youan
Subs Not Used: Boruc, Miller, Melkersen, Harbottle, McAllister
Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Gordon McCabe
Fourth Official: Gavin Duncan
VAR: Kevin Clancy
Assistant VAR: Andrew McWilliam
