A stroke of tactical genius from Tom Stewart gave St Peters their second win of the season as they demolished third place Diversity 3-1 at the Higgidy Pies Arena.

After 6 defeats in a row, Stewart was forced to ring the changes in order to drag his side out of the hole that they found themselves in. The under-fire gaffer opted for a bold 3-6-1 formation with the aim being to win the midfield battle.

Despite having an absolute howler in the 5-0 loss to The View, Andrew Stewart was given yet another chance in goal. “Gorgeous” George McGlaughlin and Dave “Big Dave” Garrett were joined in defence by Simon Kelly- back from injury. Greg Chua and Tim Lumgair were given starts in unfamiliar wing-back roles. They were joined in midfield by under-fire skipper Jordan Price, Ollie Little, Ivan Santos and making his home debut- the enigmatic German Janik Hanflink. Chris Bebb returned to the side to lead from the front after a reported training ground bust up with Tom Stewart.

In repulsive weather, the Saints started brightly and were taking the game to their opponents. They took the lead when Janik Hanflink picked up the ball deep inside Diversity’s half, he drifted past 5 opponents before firing the ball into the bottom corner, much to the delight of the bumper Higgidy Pies Arena crowd.

The first half was marred when the infamous “Saints Ultras” attempted to ruin the buoyant mood by throwing a live dog onto the pitch, in protest of Stewarts running of the side.

The visitors, themselves pushing for promotion, began to pile on the pressure, with Andrew Stewart pulling off a fantastic save in the 30th minute to answer his vocal critics. However, Diversity’s pressure pulled off when winger ‘Desire’ drifted in a perfect cross for ‘Yvan’ to head home from close range.

The sides went in level, much to the disgust of the infamous ‘Saints Ultras’ who let their feelings towards Stewart perfectly known as cries of “Stewart Out” rang around the Higgidy Pies Arena.

Stewarts infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ team talk obviously worked as his side came out all guns blazing in the second half. They were piling on the pressure and star striker Chris Bebb went close several times. They were well on top when Simon Kelly’s 60th minute corner was met by a bullet header from the enigmatic German Janik Hanflink.

The visitors failed to respond and it was in fact the Saints who went closest to scoring when “Gorgeous” George McGlaughlin saw his header go agonisingly close to finding the net.

They did manage to add to his lead when substitute Ronan Banerji, yet another product of the clubs famed youth academy- himself making his home debut, saw his 85th minute bullet header fly into the net past the beleaguered Diversity ‘keeper to seal the win.

Stewarts tactical gamble had paid off and his side have halted the seemingly irreversible losing streak with a highly impressive performance. Stewart said after the game: “I have been saying for weeks that my side would turn this run around. We were fantastic today from start to finish and now the vocal minority of our so-called fans need to shut up and let me get on with my job.”

His side will next week welcome Boys Brigade Old Boys to the Higgidy Pies Arena, keen to avenge their narrow 3-2 defeat earlier in the season.

St Peters (3-6-1): STEWART, Andrew; GARRETT, David; KELLY, Simon, MCGLAUGHLIN, George; PRICE, Jordan (captain), SANTOS, Ivan (sub: OTTAWAY, Josh), LITTLE, Ollie, HANFLINK, Janik; CHUA, Greg (sub: BANERJI, Ronan), LUMGAIR, Tim (sub: AKEHURST, Joe); BEBB, Chris

Goals: Hanflink (5, 60), Banerji (85)