St Mirren V Hearts – Cinch Scottish Premiership (26/02/2022)
Boarded the 1239 train from Polmont for my first Hearts away day in what felt like forever, as I headed to Paisley for my second visit to St Mirren Park or SMiSA Stadium as it’s officially known as. I had a 30 minute gap between my train to Glasgow Queen Street and the one departing Glasgow Central for Paisley St James, so stopped for some food at Subway, only had a 6 inch sub so I would have room for a pie at the game. As I entered Glasgow Central I was met by the shouts of “H-E-A-R-T-S” which meant the Jambos were on the way to Paisley.
Got off the train and made the brilliantly short walk from Paisley St James to St Mirren Park which took a matter of minutes, popped in the club shop to grab a programme. Made my way round to the away end which was the North Stand, once in the stadium I was greeted by the greatly named “Pie Sports” pie shop where I got myself a prematch pie, lemonade and crisps for the price of £6.50, went with the pie of the month which was a kebab pie. I was a bit sceptical before trying the pie, but it was delightful and had some chilli sauce in mixed with the donner meat.
Got to my seat behind the goal on the right side of the edge of the 18 yard box at around half 2, in time to see the teams warm up. Just in front of me on the back of the advertising boards was a warning “beware of flying footballs”, just after spotting it a lad Walking past was hit in the side of the head by a stray ball and in a comedy like slow motion went down.
St Mirren Park is a modern stadium, and like many newer grounds lacks character but with the high roof and open end the Hearts fans in the away end managed to create a good noise before kick off. Just before kick off a pleasant sound of “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against The Machine played, a nice break from the usual dance music drivel you get at football matches.
Hearts started brightly and fashioned the first chance of the game after some good play from McKay who found Boyce, but the Northern Irishman shot wide. He looked up for it early on a he made a nuisance of himself in the box, getting on the end of a couple of headers.
St Mirren were down to 10 men following an awful tackle over the top of the ball on Beni Baningime by Ronan after 23 minutes.
As good as the atmosphere was in the away end it was a shame to hear lots of sectarian chants from the Hearts support, a bit embarrassing to hear to be honest. It’s not big, funny or clever, it just makes you an arsehole. Went to the toilet at half time and regretted it as I was greeted by clouds of smoke and a group of idiots blocking the way as they stood snorting cocaine, unfortunately football attracts these arseholes.
Mainly Hearts in the first half but at times lacked that killer instinct to take a chance, which shouldn’t be how we play against 10 men. It seems we though the midfield are lacking confidence. Some halftime entertainment was provided as Paisleys school children and possibly their mother taunted the Hearts fans, quite the sight a grown woman leading children in swearing in unison.
Stephen Kingsley tested the keeper from a cross that had to be tipped over the bar due to the wind by Alnwick in the Saints goal. Boyce had a chance but the ball got caught under players feet and ended in a scramble.
With nothing really happening going forward going down the right, Robbie Nielsen made a trip subs with Cochrane, Simms and Ginnelly coming on for Mackay-Steven, Woodburn and Atkinson. The changes made a difference as Ginnelly caused trouble down that right hand side.
One of those subs provided the breakthrough after Barrie McKay squared the ball across the box and Ellis Sims punted home the second time of asking from close range. What an impact and just what the crowd and game needed!!
Three minutes later and it was 2-0 to the Jambos, Simms involved again by not pulling out of a challenge with the keeper and the ball fell to Cammy Devlin and he fired into the roof of the net to send the away end into raptures!!
A massive improvement following the goals, as it was all Hearts with plenty of forward runs and attacks with both Simms and Boyce going close to add to the Hearts lead.
What a difference some subs can make, a much improved second half from the Jam Tarts. The two goals raised the spirits and instilled some confidence in the players. I think Ginnelly and Simms may have played their way into the starting eleven on Wednesday.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £12
Programme Price – £3
Programme Rating – 6/10
Refreshments – 9/10
Stadium Facilities – 6/10
Getting To Stadium – 10/10
Stadium Rating – 6/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on St Mirren against Hearts.
Daz Carding
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