St Mirren edge past Queen’s Park on penalties to reach Scottish FA Youth Cup semis

St Mirren progressed to the semi-finals of the Scottish FA Youth Cup through spot kicks to defeat an astonished Queen’s Park side.  

The Buddies struck first through a Mooney penalty to set off the competitive affair. Queen’s Park full-back Clark responded with his roofed effort though, keeping the game at bay until penalties where St Mirren hero Grant saved two to grant his side a place in the final four.  

In the midst of a fresh afternoon at Lochinch, the match began with both sides going for the direct approach to catch each other off guard with offensive players staying on the last man of each back line. However, St Mirren captain Owen Carey was adventurous from the back to bring his team forward.  

St Mirren’s defensive set-up was keeping Queen’s Park at bay, keeping a high line to also press them into their own box making it hard for them to play out. 

Queen’s Park winger Connor Falls was ambitious to create from the right-hand side. He looked comfortable on the ball eyeing potential opportunities to take advantage of. 

St Mirren’s Thomas Falconer early on in the half from the left-hand side of the queen’s park box whipped a great ball in trying to find Evan Mooney but the ball narrowly missed his head and went just wide of the post.  

Falls then took matters into his own hands making an effort from the edge of the box which was blasted over the bar subtly showing his intent to create.  

St Mirren winger Evan Mooney stole the ball from Daniel Matheson who was caught off guard and struck wide from the edge of the box giving Queen’s Park a chance to breathe. 

St Mirren began then to pressure with Falconer constantly putting balls in the box and Queen’s Park clearing their lines to prevent any deficits St Mirren however were hungry for the first goal of the match. 

St Mirren’s Callum Penman had a swipe at Aiden Mcginlay catching him late, referee Thomas Denholm issued a caution for the uncontrolled act.  

A moment of brilliance from Queen’s Park Captain Leo Fisher who stepped elegantly onto the pitch floating a ball in behind St Mirren’s back line. Godspower Oguamo turned his man with ease fizzing a ball across the box but keeper Grant cleared the danger.  

William Thomson for the Spiders terrifically bypassed two midfielders finding space to play through Oguamo but the weight of the pass halted the progression. The side’s frustration was beginning to show.  

A Great challenge from Falconer denied Falls of a direct finish on the six-yard box outstretching his leg to block Falls’ strike that looked destined for a goal.  

Shortly after Mooney thundered a right-footed effort from 20 yards, testing Swilinski who was sharp to parry the shot wide for a corner.  

Then came a chance created and finished by Mooney which led to him winning his side a penalty after skipping his man in the box in a tight area and getting brought down as he was going to pull the trigger.  

He then in the 36th minute took the penalty and nailed it confidently to the right of the keeper who after getting a slight hand to it almost prevented the successful spot-kick  

0-1 St Mirren 

Referee Thomas Denholm gave his first booking to St Mirren’s Farquhar for a hard challenge on falls preventing a promising attack in which he had no choice but to give the decision. 

Excellent wing play from Falls beating his man with his blistering pace and close control at the by-line of the St Mirren box led to a narrow effort at goal which was comfortably parried by Swilinski.  

Captain Fisher was comfortable at the back for Queen’s Park dictating play and shouting instructions to his teammates who took his commands on board.  

It was then Leo Clark who roofed his effort into the St Mirren net at close range after a great slip ball through by Oguama who used his frame well to play the ball through creating some sharp build-up play which led to the equaliser 1-1.  

Penman was next in the book for another challenge on Falls, missing the ball and connecting with the winger late leading to a yellow being shown.  

A clipped ball in behind from Thomson was anxiously cleared for a corner but the half came to an end 1-1.

William Thomson from the wing clipped a pinpoint pass in behind for Falls and Oguama to chase but it was panickily cleared to prevent any danger.  

Half Time – Queen’s Park 1-1 St Mirren 

Second half begins  

St Mirren came out fast penetrating the back line of Queen’s Park,  Penman delivered a great ball into the box but the header from Hunter was narrowly wide.  

Some silky creation from Falls lofted a ball into the box for Oguama but his bicycle kick found the hands of Grant as he settled things down early in the second half. 

Then came a shout for handball in the box as the ball nudged Fisher’s chest which was waved clear by referee Denholm as he spotted the connection.   

Leo Clark following his goal in the first half was showing great intent with his enthusiasm to get up and down the line making things happen for his side.  

McGinlay who’s low dig to give Queen Park an edge on their competitors was saved by Grant in a crowd-rising moment as he caught it under his side.  

Sam Maclachlan cut in with ease and struck wide to try to get his side ahead in a quiet period of the match.

The game went through a quiet phase with Queen’s Park having the majority of the ball in the second half. Maclachlan cut in and tried to swerve a strike that just went by the upright.  

St Mirren tried to bite back when winger Falconer beat his man to attempt a cut back which was blocked by Fisher.  

Just after the hour mark, Queen’s Park’s quick play led to a ball across with pace by Coyle Marrow, but no one was on the end of it as the chance went to waste.  

Coyle Marrow was frequently bombing up and down the line delivering great balls into the box. He showed great intent to attack but unfortunately, a lack of teammates in the box couldn’t assist his significant efforts.  

St Mirren without having the ball continued to stay organised and difficult to break down frustrating the spiders. 

A yellow card was given for a shirt pull from St Mirren substitute Ben Stoddart and was deemed for preventing a break in play as McGinley tried to find his strikers on the rise.   

Time was closing in and McGinlay’s perfect threaded-through ball to Coyle Marrow was called offside in what would have sent him clean through for a one-on-one opportunity late in the match.  

Shortly after Oguama cut back on his right and aimed for the top right which shaved the bar with Queen’s Park still hunting for their opportunity.  

The tables then turned late on as pressure mounted for time and penalties looming, Thomson for St Mirren shot from close distance was saved unbelievably by Swilinski from a great ball by Mooney. 

Right at the death a softly touched pass back to the edge of the box by Mooney for the last chance in the match found ambitious defender Carrick McEvoy who put his foot through the ball with power thundered off the post in what was the last kick in 90 minutes. Meaning penalties were the only option to separate the two sides.  

Aiden McGinlay stepped up first as Queen’s Park won the toss however his strike into the bottom left was saved by Grant.  

In response, Carrick McEvoy’s penalty was saved brilliantly as he went for the left stanchion keeping the score at 0-0.  

 Connor Falls who had an excellent game punished his penalty top right.  

Lyle Hunter then comfortably finished into the right. 

Sam Machalan’s effort was saved by a stretching Grant who out his side in high hopes.  

Captain Owen Carey for the buddies calmly placed his penalty bottom right.  

Daniel Matheson nailed his effort left keeping his side in it.  

St Mirren substitute Struan Thompson rocketed his penalty top left with confidence.  

Captain Owen Carey who was terrific throughout the game steered his penalty off the bar granting St Mirren progression into the final four.

Queen’s Park Player of the Match: Leo Clark

Clark was excellent for the spiders, showing great enthusiasm to get up and down the line for his side as well as contributing with a goal.  

St Mirren Player of the Match: Evan Mooney

Mooney was at the forefront of a lot of attacks for the buddies showing great threat and technical ability to bolster the attack for his side.  

Queen’s Park Magic Moment:

This goes to none other than the brilliantly created goal from back to front. The floated ball over the top by the captain to find Oguama who played the layoff for Clark to finish, showed great counter-attacking play.  

St Mirren Magic Moment:

Mooney’s goal was the magic moment for St Mirren. He started and finished the goal with amazing feet to beat his man in the box getting brought down, comfortably finishing his penalty.