St Mirren's Under 19 side earned themselves a SFA Youth Cup semi-final berth this evening as they won 3-1 against their counterparts from Airdrie United at the Excelsior Stadium.

This game had been postponed several times prior to this evening and Saints made up for lost time by getting out of the traps quickly when they opened the scoring on the 5 minute mark.  Sean Burns played a great ball into the Airdrie penalty-area which the home defence had trouble defending with them eventually forcing the ball through their own goal.

Midway through the first half Jon McShane was brought down in the penalty-area leaving referee Mr Newlands with little option but to award a spot-kick which was coolly converted by Jamie McKernon.

The home side pulled back a goal back sixty seconds later when they took advantage of Saints switching off.

On the 67th minute the young Saints effectively killed off the tie when Jon McShane slid the ball into the back of the net from 8 yards out.

Saints now have a semi-final date with Rangers at St Mirren Park to look forward to - the date for the tie is as yet to be confirmed.

David Longwell (St Mirren's Head of Youth Development) said after the game: "It was a great result for the boys although they could maybe have played a wee bit better. It was a big match and opportunity for them tonight so it did get a wee bit nervy at times.

"That being said they did create a lot of chances and it was a great result for the boys.

"To be fair Airdrie worked us very hard but the boys really dug in and earned themselves another good result.

"The boys continued to show a really good attitude although they could have passed the ball a wee bit better but they did create a lot of chances and pulled in a really good result."

For more info on the youth academy and the Under 19 side please click here to access the St Mirren Football Club Academy's Official Website.

For more news on the Clydesdale Bank U19 League directly from the SPL please click here.

 

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