Would all fans going to the game at Dumbarton on Saturday 17th September please take note of the statement below by Scotland TranServ in relation to works which start on Erskine Bridge on 17th September that will create an expected increase in the travel time for those using the bridge

A898 Erskine Bridge
Installation of tower aircraft navigation lighting

As part of a £3.25m investment by Transport Scotland to upgrade lighting on the A898 at Erskine Bridge, weekend works at the top of the two Bridge towers will commence on Saturday 17 September.

Principal Contractor, Lightways will access the towers to replace the existing aircraft navigation lamps with new LED lights. Operatives will be working at heights of 40 metres above the bridge deck therefore to protect both the workforce and road users, offside lane closures will be required in both directions on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September and again on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September 2016. Traffic management will be in operation from 6.00am to 6.00pm each day.

It is expected that journey times will increase by approximately 45 minutes and road users are advised to plan ahead using Traffic Scotland’s WEBSITE and TWITTER feed for real time traffic information.

Scotland TranServ is currently overseeing the 28 week programme which will result in up to 70% in energy savings for Transport Scotland.

Operating company representative for Scotland TranServ, Andy Fraser said:

“We have considered all the available options for carrying out this work and the safest way for the contractor to access the towers and install the new lighting is during daylight hours under offside lane closures.

“Delays are expected to be around 45 minutes therefore we would urge road users to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys.”

The cycle and pedestrian lanes on the eastbound side of the Bridge will remain closed during the works with the westbound side operating as normal.

Academy player Ethan Erhahon has been named in the Scotland Under-16 squad for an international challenge match against France later this month.

The 15-year-old midfielder will join the rest of the young Scots for the match that takes place at Oriam, the new Sports Performance Centre, on Tuesday 27th September.

The match details and full squad are as follows:

Vauxhall Under-16 International Challenge Match
Scotland v France
Thursday, 27th September 2016, kick-off 7.30pm
Oriam, Edinburgh

Scotland Under-16 Squad:

Goalkeepers

Ryan Mullen (Celtic)
Archie Mair (Aberdeen)

Defenders

Taylor Wilson (Hamilton)
Andrew Kerr (Celtic)
Nathan Patterson (Rangers)
Chris Hamilton (Hearts)
Kane O’Connor (Hibernian)

Midfielders

Marc Leonard (Hearts)
Harry Cochrane (Hearts)
Terry Taylor (Aberdeen)
Dean Campbell (Aberdeen)
Ethan Erhahon (St Mirren)
Billy Gilmour (Rangers)

Forwards

Kieran McGrath (Celtic)
Zac Butterworth (Rangers)
Jamie Semple (Motherwell)
Anthony McDonald (Hearts)
Joshua McPake (Rangers)

Our next home match is on Saturday 1sth October 2016 when Falkirk come to visit in the SPFL Ladbrokes Championship.

Corporate Hospitality bookings can be made for this Category C match with prices from as little as £70 per person (season ticket holders - £85 for non season ticket holders) for an inclusive drinks package, a three course meail, half time tea and snacks and an executive seat in the main stand for the match.

To find out more or to book your place please click here

The Under-20 side's 100% start to the season was brought to an end on Tuesday evening as they went down 2-1 to Hibernian at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in a SPFL Development League match-up.

The Leith side were one-up at half-time but it looked as if Saints had saved a point with a late equaliser from Lawrence Shankland but an injury time goal from Hibs saw Saints suffer their first defeat of the new season.

Match report pictures © John Millar.

Good news St Mirren fans - Topps Match Attax all-new SPFL 2016-17 collection lands in shops today!

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The SPFL Match Attax Starter Pack retails at £4.99 and includes a collector binder, A2 play pitch a game guide, and a six card packet containing an exclusive gold limited edition card. A packet of nine cards will be £1 for collectors.

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Saints continue to wait for their first win of the league season after losing to Queen of the South. Manager Alex Rae gives his thoughts. He said:

“We’re obviously in a difficult place. We’re conceding goals with considerable ease at the moment and it’s not the young ones, it’s the senior ones who are causing the problems. Unfortunately we’re making it very difficult for ourselves. We equalised and we allow them to just waltz up the pitch unopposed and get a tap in. It’s extremely disappointing.

“We created a couple of chances in the first half where their keeper pulled off a couple of decent saves. We need to remain positive. When I was at Dundee, we started the season exactly the same the opening five games without a win and we finished third so we know we can turn it round.”

Today’s results means Saints are now bottom of the table and the fans made their displeasure known during and after the match. The manager added:

“I can understand people’s frustration, I’m as frustrated as anyone. This has got nothing to do with tactics, this is purely down to individuals who, unfortunately, are crumbling under a bit of pressure.”

“It’s hard for me to watch as well at the moment but I’m part of it and I was obviously responsible for bringing these guys in so obviously the blame lies at my door.”

Saints slid to the bottom of the Championship table this afternoon after losing to Queen of the South in Paisley.

Derek Lyle curled Queens in front early on after good work from Stephen Dobbie, who was later denied by a great Jamie Langfield save. A stunning Tom Walsh over-head kick levelled things up towards the end of the half but a few minutes later Lyle scored again to ensure the visitors enjoyed the advantage at the break.

The game was as good as over as a contest by the hour mark, Lyle returning Dobbie’s earlier favour by sending him through to add the third. Lyle wasted a fantastic chance to complete his hat-trick before he was subbed, the closest Saints coming to reducing the deficit being when Lewis Morgan hit the post.

Saints had made two changes to the side that started last week’s seven goal thriller against Albion Rovers. Jason Naismith returned to the side in place of Jordan Stewart, who dropped out completely, with Ryan Hardie partnering John Sutton up front. Gary MacKenzie kept his place in defence as he made his home debut with Kyle Hutton lining up in midfield against his old club.

Saints created the first opening for the visitors, some miscommunication between Naismith and Langfield allowing Lyle to pinch the ball at the edge of the box but he lifted his shot well off target. Queens returned the favour by giving the Buddies a free-kick at the edge of the box when Mark Millar flattened Stephen Mallan. It was very much in his range and his effort was low and hard, however Lee Robinson did well to get across goal and turn it behind for a corner that MacKenzie headed into the keepers arms.

Moments later Queens took the lead. Dobbie was allowed to wander along the edge of the box and when the options appeared to have dried up, he back-heeled for Lyle and he curled a tremendous shot beyond the grasp of Langfield to put the Doonhamers in front.

Saints’ brightest moments were usually coming thanks to Lewis Morgan on the left, one of his crosses finding the unmarked Tom Walsh but he headed wide. Dobbie had a chance to double Queens lead when Jamie Hamill found him at the edge of the box with a free-kick, however he didn’t get a clean connection and his effort was dealt with by Langfield. Moments later he worked the Saints keeper properly. Dale Hilson took advantage of some hesitancy from Naismith to switch play across to Lyle and he delivered a fine cross for Dobbie, his header kept out by great save from Langfield.

Queens were looking comfortable and a foul just outside the box gave Lyle a chance with a free-kick in a decent position, however he sent his effort a yard or two over. Grant Anderson then scooped a shot over the bar before Saints drew level in spectacular circumstances. A cross from the left bounced off the head of Andy Dowie to Walsh, who conjured up a wonderful overhead kick that flew past Robinson before the keeper had even seen it.

That briefly transformed Saints and Walsh almost completed the turnaround seconds later, his shot inches away from the bottom corner. However, no sooner had that happened than Queens were back in front. Anderson outpaced Andy Webster to the ball and got to the byline before crossing for Lyle to slide in and score his and his side’s second. On this occasion the Saints response was immediate, Robinson doing well to turn Ryan Hardie’s powerful effort behind for a corner which led to MacKenzie’s header being hacked off the line.

Half-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Queen of the South

Despite being behind, Saints had finished the half with some momentum and should have been level shortly after hostilities resumed. A tremendous Walsh cross picked out the unmarked Hardie lurking at the edge of the six yard box, however his header was weak and Robinson was able to save. Queens were then forced into a change, Jake Pickard replacing the injured Mark Millar.

The Buddies were enjoying a bright spell but it came to an abrupt end. After Robinson sent a poor free-kick straight through to Langfield, the Saints keeper tried to take advantage of his opposite number being out of position by launching the ball upfield. Queens won back possession and worked the ball forward to Lyle who slipped it through to Dobbie. The forward waited on Langfield committing himself before squeezing a shot home from a tight angle, Anderson lurking at the back post just in case the ball didn’t cross the line on its own.

Saints soon found themselves with a mountain to climb and John Sutton and Naismith were replaced by Lawrence Shankland and David Clarkson in a bid to find a way back into the game. However, before the hosts had carved out a chance Lyle should have had a hat-trick. Dobbie robbed Andy Webster at the half-way line and as he raced forward he spotted his unmarked strike partner. His square ball was perfect, however Lyle inexcusably shot over. Next time Dobbie went himself, his shot getting the better of Langfield but flying narrowly past the far post.

A corner gave Saints some hope of reducing the deficit, however as the ball dropped both Walsh and Clarkson went for it, the former’s effort going wide. Webster had been struggling to deal with the Queens attack and was replaced by Ben Gordon for the final 20 minutes or so. There would be no hat-trick for Lyle as shortly after he was replaced by Steven Rigg before Morgan almost gave Saints some hope, beating a couple of men before rattling the post from 20 yards. The youngster tried again a few minutes later, however Robinson easily held the long range shot. Late on, Rigg and Dobbie were unable to take chances to pile the misery on the Buddies, the home fans making their displeasure clear at full-time.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-3 Queen of the South

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith (Shankland 60), Irvine, Webster (Gordon 69), MacKenzie, Sutton (Clarkson 60), Mallan, Hutton, Walsh, Morgan, Hardie.
Subs Not Used: Magennis, Baird, O’Keefe, Gallacher (GK).

Queen of the South: Robinson, Hamill, Marshall, Dowie, Brownlie, Anderson (Brotherston 83), Millar (Pickard 53), Lyle (Rigg 71), Hilson, Dobbie, Jacobs.
Subs Not Used: Higgins, Moxon, Tapping, Atkinson (GK).

Referee: Barry Cook.
Assistant Referee: Jordan Stokoe.
Assistant Referee: Chris McTiernan.

Attendance: 3,102 (273 Queen of the South fans)

Match report and match gallery pictures by John Millar – © John Millar.

St Mirren and Queen of the South face up to each other for the first time this season tomorrow afternoon in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Leading the team from Dumfries will be Gavin Skelton who took over the managerial helm at Palmerston Park at the end of last season after the departure of James Fowler. Having struggled by their own standards last season, the Doonhamers under Skelton have found their swagger again this term having got the season off to a flying start.

The Dumfries side lost a lot of good talent from their squad over the summer but Skelton has recruited well as he looked to find more balance again in the side. A really good pick-up is former Hearts and Kilmarnock defender Jamie Hamill who will shore up a defence that shipped 56 league goals last season, their poorest tally since season 2011/12 when they were relegated. Man of many clubs, Stephen Dobbie made a return to Palmerston this summer and has got off to a great start by scoring 6 goals in just as many outings so far this season, adding to his previous total in Dumfries of 54 goals in 97 appearances.

Skelton also brought in former Carlisle player Steven Rigg and midfielder Grant Anderson who made the move to Queens from Raith Rovers after a four year stint with the Kirkcaldy side. The Queen of the South manager also snapped up 20-year-old Aussie Lyndon Dykes Dykes from Surfers Paradise Apollo Soccer Club of Queensland Australia. There are also a few more familiar faces still around such as club captain Chris Higgins and striker Derek Lyle who knows the way to the back of the net having already bagged 6 this season.

The Doonhamers have got this season off to a really good start with three wins out of four ties in their Betfred Cup group, their only loss coming to Premiership side Partick Thistle, but the three wins assured qualification to the round of 16. A more than creditable 1-1 draw away to Dundee United on the opening day of the league season was followed by an incredible 3-1 victory away to high-flying Hibernian in the Betfred Cup which earned them a tie away to Rangers in the quarter-finals which will be played the midweek after next.

Since then league wins against Ayr United (4-1), Falkirk (2-0) and Dunfermline (1-0) see Queens sit in 3rd spot two points behind table toppers Hibs and on level points with Raith Rovers. Last weekend they went on a goal-scoring spree as the booked their place in the last 16 of the IRN-BRU Cup with a thumping 7-1 win against Stenhousemuir.

St Mirren also had success in the IRN-BRU Cup last Saturday as they battled back from two goals down to win 4-3 after extra-time. After going down to an early two goal deficit against Albion Rovers, goals from Lewis Morgan, Stephen Mallan and John Sutton hauled Saints into the lead but a quick equaliser just ahead of half-time saw both sides battle out a dour second half. With the game forced into extra-time Saints got the last say as Lawrence Shankland was on hand to head home to put Saints into a last 16 tie with Hibernian.

Another positive from last week’s match at Coatbridge was the return from injury of midfielder Rocco Quinn and a St Mirren debut for Gary MacKenzie who had been battling injury in the early part of the season also.

St Mirren had the upper hand across the four meetings with Queen of the South last season. The teams met in September last year in Dumfries with Saints running our 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Sean Kelly and Steven Thompson. Saints and The Doonhamers didn’t go head to head again until February when Stephen Mallan’s goal was the difference between the sides. But the following week an Alex Harris goal saw Queens get revenge at Palmerston. Stephen Mallan gave Saints the lead on the half-hour mark from a penalty-kick in the last meeting between the sides on 12th March. Gary Oliver pulled Queens level again midway through the second half but within sixty seconds Saints were back in front when Callum Tapping put the ball through his own goal.

It may only be the fifth league game of the season but both teams will be looking for maximum points. Queens will be looking to try and put pressure on the two sides above them in the league table while Saints will be looking to build on last week’s come-back win and hope to put together a game-winning performance to get their league season up and going.

The 1877 Supporters Club is offering FREE entry for members’ guests this Saturday and reduced admission for non-members.

As a result of feedback that many members will be unable to attend this Saturday’s match due to holidays, we plan to create an initiative to encourage more use of the club this weekend.

The biggest incentive is free entry for members’ guests which as always has to be pre-booked to allow us to monitor our numbers.

In addition we will also allow non-members entry for a reduced fee of £3 based on a first come, first served basis on the day.

This is very much a try and see initiative with the aim of getting better numbers using the bar prior to the two televised derbies in Glasgow and Manchester kicking off at 12:00pm and 12:30pm.

The club will open early at 11:45am due to the early kick-offs.

Our match day programme, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, will be available from the Club Shop ahead of Saturday’s game.

This issue, for the Ladbrokes Championship match against Queen of the South, is a 48 pager with a £3 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Stephen Mallan.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Alex Rae’s message to the fans ahead of the game.
Matchday Gallery – A gallery of pictures from the post-match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home game against Hibernian.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Last Time Out – A look back at last week’s match against Albion Rovers.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher reckons that this season’s English Premiership isn’t as wide open as others may suggest.
The Opposition – Brian Corry gives the lowdown on Saturday’s visitors – Gavin Skelton’s Queen of the South side.
Hall of Fame – David Cochran highlights the St Mirren career of Alistair Miller.
Player Interview – Rocco Quinn talks about his fight back from injury.
Action Shot (Centre Pages) – Midfielder Stephen Mallan.
St Mirren Supporters Trust – John White brings us up to date with the latest happenings at SMiSA.
Fans Corner – Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Championship Round-Up – Kyle Gunn’s run down on weeks 3 and 4 of the Ladbrokes Championship season.
Saints in the Community – A catch-up with the latest happenings at St Mirren in the Community.
The Academy – A look at the under-20 side’s opening two games of the SPFL Development League season.
Kit Sponsors 2016/17.
Marketing Matters – Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy brings us up to date with all the commercial activities within the Club.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2016/17 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures for this season.
Teams Lines – The two squads and match officials for Saturday’s match.

To buy this issue or to place your programme subscription for the 2016/17 season click HERE.