Saints rounded off their pre-season schedule this afternoon as they defeated Cove Rangers 4-2 at the Balmoral Stadium.
Ruari Paton put Saints ahead on 16 minutes as he slotted home a pass from Josh Fowler following a defence-splitting ball from Sam Stanton.
However, Cove Rangers drew level on 33 minutes after Zach Mitchell’s headed backpass to Ross Sinclair fell short. Destiny Oladipo reacted quickest, racing in to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.
Saints responded impressively, restoring their advantage before half time. Josh Fowler converted from the penalty spot after Paton was brought down inside the area, before Kai Fotheringham capped off an excellent team move on the stroke of half-time, curling a superb finish into the far corner to make it 3-1.
Paton added his second of the afternoon on 69 minutes tapping home from close range after some good play down the right.
Cove Rangers pulled a goal back in the final minute when one of their Trialists bundled the ball home from close range following a scrappy passage of play inside the Saints penalty area.
Saints now turn their attention to the Premier Sports Cup as they head to Linlithgow Rose on Tuesday evening, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints headed to Aberdeen to take on Cove Rangers for their final pre-season fixture this afternoon at the Balmoral Stadium. Simo Valkari made five changes to the side which started the 3-0 win at Montrose last weekend as Ross Sinclair, Zach Mitchell, who joined the club earlier this week on a season-long loan from Charlton Athletic, Jack Baird, Sam Stanton and Josh Fowler came in to replace Craig Hepburn, who dropped to the bench, whilst Cheick Diabate, Jason Holt, Jamie Gullan and Matty Todd missed out completely.
Reuban McAllister got the match underway for the hosts, but it was Saints who created the first chance of the match on 4 minutes. Kai Fotheringham picked out Sam Stanton with his pass and the midfielder played in Taylor Steven down the right however, his shot was turned behind for a corner at the near post by Cove keeper Balint Demus.
Then a minute later Cove got their first sight of goal as Max Barry slipped the ball to Destiny Oladipo and the forward played a good ball across the box, picking out the Trialist at the far post however, Daniel Finlayson produced a good block to take the sting out of the shot as Ross Sinclair gathered.
Saints continued to search for the opening goal and on 14 minutes Finlayson headed over from a Ruari Paton corner. Then 2 minutes later Saints took the lead. Sam Stanton produced a brilliant defence-splitting pass which played in Josh Fowler and the forward then squared the ball to Paton who slotted it beyond Demus.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton celebrates his goal
Paton then got a great chance to double Saints lead on 23 minutes as the Saints forward was played in by Steven however, his shot was blocked for a corner by Mark Souter.
Cove Rangers were back on level terms on 33 minutes as Oladipo pounced on a short headed back pass from Zach Mitchell as he nipped in and lifted the ball over Sinclair and into the back of the net.
However, Saints responded and they were given the opportunity to regain their lead with 5 minutes of the first half remaining as they were awarded a penalty after Paton was fouled in the box. Fowler stepped up to take the spot kick, and he despatched it beyond Demus as his effort went in off the crossbar to restore Saints lead.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler scores from the penalty spot
Then on the stroke of half time Saints extended their lead as a good passing moved ended with Fotheringham playing a good one-two with Paton before despatching a brilliant curling effort into the far corner of the net.
Saints made a couple of changes at the break as Craig Hepburn and the Trialist came on to replace Ross Sinclair and Zach Mitchell.
PHOTO: Kai Fotheringham makes it 3-1
It was not long before Hepburn was called into action as on 48 minutes the Saints keeper turned Chris Maguire’s free kick around the post for a corner.
Fowler came close to getting his second of the afternoon just before the hour mark as his strike was deflected behind for a corner by Souter. Then on 62 minutes Stanton unleashed an effort from just outside the box which didn’t trouble Demus.
Shortly after Saints made further changes as Matty Foulds, Kai Fotheringham and Josh Fowler were replaced by Liam Smith, Jack Robertson and Logan Chalmers as Saints changed formation to a back three.
PHOTO: Craig Hepburn saves Chris Maguire’s free kick
On 67 minutes Reece McAlear’s long ball forward was chased down by Chalmers who gathered it before cutting the ball back to Paton, but Souter again came to the home sides rescue as he turned the ball behind for another corner. Then a minute later Chalmers won Saints a free kick after he was fouled by a Trialist. Chalmers got up quickly to take the free kick as he picked out Steven however, his effort sailed over the bar.
The pressure from Saints told on 69 minutes as Paton got his second and Saints fourth of the afternoon. Liam Smith played a good ball down the right to Chalmers and the attacking midfielder picked out Paton in the centre of the box who slotting home from close range.
With 12 minutes remaining one of Cove’s Trialists went on a brilliant run down the right channel before cutting inside and drilled his effort narrowly wide of the post.
Simo Valakari then made a double change as Taylor Steven and Ruari Paton were replaced by Arran Brookfield and Dougal McAdam.
PHOTO: Taylor Steven unleashes a shot at goal
On 84 minutes McAlear’s ball into the box was gathered by Arran Brookfield and he then cut the ball back to Chalmers however, his effort was saved at the near post by Demus.
With 2 minutes remaining Hepburn saved a shot from another Cove Trialist however, the Saints keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball, but the Trialist Saints defender was able to clear the danger. Saints then made a quick break forward as Chalmers burst away before unleashing a shot which Demus was able to turn behind for a corner.
In the final minute, Cove netted a consolation goal as one of their Trialists reacted quickest to scrappy play in the Saints box, tapping home from close range.
Cove Rangers: Demus, Bisland, Souter, Harrington (Maguire 45’), Oladipo (Trialist 45’), Barry, McAllister (Trialist 63’), Trialist (Enem 45’), Trialist (Parker 45’), Darge (Trialist 45’), White (Stephen 63’)
Unused Substitutes: Mutch (GK), Fraser
Scorers: Oladipo (33’), Trialist (90’)
Saints: Sinclair (Hepburn 45’), Mitchell (Trialist 45’), McAlear, Baird, Steven (Brookfield 78’), Fowler (Chalmers 63’), Stanton, Foulds (Smith 63’), Paton (McAdam 78’), Fotheringham (Robertson 63’), Finlayson
Scorers: Paton (16’, 69’), Fowler (41’ pen), Fotheringham (45’)
Referee: Greg Souter
Attendance: TBC
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Ruari Paton celebrates his second goal of the game
