St Andrews United officials and fans made the short trip down to Glenrothes seeking a first league win of the season on the back of a promising midweek showing against Sauchie. Not surprisingly, manager Garry Wright named the same starting eleven for the second fixture in a row and Saints began the match on the front foot. Freddie Rowe almost scored from a Ryan McManus knock-down in the fifth minute before Blair Smart made a goal-saving tackle on Lewis Sawers, with goalkeeper Dale Wortherspoon beaten. Owen Andrew also saw a shot blocked in the 20th minute and Rowe went close with a header from a James Collins cross a few moments later as Saints sought to take advantage of the home team’s lack of confidence. Indeed, the hosts could only muster two wild shots from long-range during the opening half-an-hour, whilst Collins did likewise at the other end of the park in the 27th minute. United then took the lead in the 38th minute as the game really burst into life. Halliday made a terrific save from Cammy Muirhead at his near post before the ball was launched forward by Kyle Sneddon. Andrew thus collected the ball as it dropped out of the sky and he calmly rounded Wotherspoon prior to tapping home the first goal of the match with the home defence posted missing. The Glenrothes forwards briefly rallied thereafter as Muirhead saw an effort disallowed for offside but St Andrews United deservedly led 1-0 at the break.

 

The visitors then went close to doubling their advantage in the 47th minute when a fabulous volley by Andrew from a Ross Cunningham cross was deemed to be offside and the Glenrothes players were delighted to only be one goal behind at that stage in the contest. The boys in red slowly found their feet thereafter and the lively Stuart Cargill ruffled the side-netting with a low drive before Muirhead beat a badly executed offside trap to equalise in the 53rd minute. The tall striker’s looping header over Halliday found the net via the underside of the crossbar but Saints created the next chance of the game through Sawers, who again shot straight at Wotherspoon. Lewis Payne subsequently replaced Andrew on the hour-mark and the former promptly hit the post with a powerful shot following an impressive solo run. Another late offside flag denied Jason Watson in the 73rd minute and both sides went in search of a winner as the clock wound down. However, the home cause was not helped by Watson receiving a second yellow card plus a red for making a desperate challenge on Rowe in the 75th minute. Muirhead then fired the resulting free kick straight towards Halliday but neither team looked capable of grabbing a winner. Glenrothes did however win a controversial penalty in the 91st minute and Muirhead coolly rolled the ball to Halliday’s left after the goalkeeper dived early in the opposite direction. The last action of the afternoon saw Sneddon booked for lunging towards Wotherspoon after the veteran goalie spilled the ball then the referee’s final whistle brought joyous scenes of celebrations from the Glenrothes players, fans and coaches. 

 

Crowd: 165. Thanks as always to all the Saint fans who made the journey to support the team