Saints ran out 3-0 winners against Montrose this afternoon in Andrew Steeves’ testimonial match.
Simo Valakari’s side took the lead on 19 minutes as Ruari Paton slotted home from close range after Jamie Gullan’s effort had been saved by Cameron Gill.
Cheick Diabate doubled Saints lead on 23 minutes as he got on the end of a dangerous Gullan free kick. Logan Chalmers then wrapped up the win just after the hour mark with a sweet left footed finish from 20 yards.
Saints are back in action next Saturday as they head north for their final pre-season friendly against Cove Rangers, kick off 2pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints continued their pre-season programme this afternoon as they headed up the east coast to take on Montrose at Links Park for former Saints player Andrew Steeves’ testimonial match. Simo Valakari made five changes to the side which started Tuesday’s 4-0 win at Forfar Athletic as Craig Hepburn replaced the absent Ross Sinclair between the sticks, whilst Daniel Finlayson, Reece McAlear, Taylor Steven and Ruari Paton were also handed starts. Logan Chalmers, Sam Stanton, Josh Fowler and the trialist defender all dropped to the bench.
It was a sunny afternoon on the Angus coast as Jaime Gullan got the match underway for Saints.
The first chance of the match came after 4 minutes as Jason Holt was played into the box by a brilliant ball however, the midfielder’s cross was cut out by Sean McGinty for a corner. It was taken from the left by Gullan and his delivery into the box was met by Ruari Paton, but the forward glanced his free header at the near post wide of the far post.
The hosts then created a brilliant chance to take the lead a minute later as Ewan Loudon burst down the right channel before sending a good ball into the box which was missed by Jamie Barjonas. The loose ball was then picked up by Blair Lyons who laid it off to Andrew Steeves, but Craig Hepburn produced a good save palming away the strike from the Montrose captain.
With 10 minutes on the clock a good passing move by Saints ended with Kai Fotheringham picking out Matty Todd in the box however, he couldn’t direct his effort on target. Then 5 minutes later Fotheringham was involved in the thick of the action again, this time picking out Gullan in the box, but his effort was turned behind for a corner by Aidan Quinn.
PHOTO: Taylor Steven closes down Flynn Duffy
Saints eventually found the breakthrough on 19 minutes as Fotheringham again played in Gullan, but Cameron Gill produced a good save to palm away the effort from the forward however, the ball fell perfectly for Paton who slotted it into the net from close range to put Saints a goal up.
Cheick Diabate doubled Saints lead on 23 minutes. Saints were awarded a free kick after Matty Foulds was fouled. Gullan delivered an excellent free kick into the penalty area, where Diabate rose highest to power a header past Gill and make it 2-0.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton celebrates his goal with Taylor Steven
On the half an hour mark a cross from the left by Foulds picked out Fotheringham in the box, but Gill collected his effort safely with Paton poised to capitalise on any rebound.
With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Fotheringham got another sight of goal as he was played in by Paton but the strike from the attacking midfielder was palmed away by Gill.
On 42 minutes the hosts got a great chance to pull a goal back as Lyons’ cross from the left picked out the unmarked Harry Craig at the back post however, he blasted his effort well wide of the target. Then just before half time Montrose were awarded a free kick just outside the box following a foul on Lyons by Reece McAlear. Steeves stepped up to take the free kick however, he was unable to test Craig Hepburn in the Saints goal.
PHOTO: Cheick Diabate powers home a header to make it 2-0
Saints made seven changes at half time as Jack Baird, Trialist, Liam Smith, Sam Stanton, Jack Robertson, Logan Chalmers and Josh Fowler came on to replace Cheick Diabate, Daniel Finlayson, Matty Foulds, Reece McAlear, Jason Holt, Taylor Steven and Jamie Gullan.
Montrose created a couple of early chances as the second half got underway. On 47 minutes Loudon was unable to trouble Hepburn with a free kick from just outside the box. Four minutes later, half-time substitute Archie Clelland played Lyons through on goal, but Hepburn was equal to the effort, producing a fine save to deny the Montrose forward.
The hosts were finding space in the early exchanges of the second half and on 53 minutes Clelland burst forward before being stopped in his tracks by the Saints trialist however, the ball then broke to Lyons but again he was denied by the impressive Hepburn.
Despite the early second half pressure from Montrose, Saints extended their lead on 63 minutes as Logan Chalmers swept home a superb left-footed finish after Paton picked him out with an excellent cut-back.
PHOTO: Logan Chalmers celebrates his goal
Saints then made further changes as Arran Brookfield, Dougal McAdam and Arran Clark came on to replace Matty Todd, Kai Fotheringham and Ruari Paton.
As the second half progressed, Montrose made numerous changes to give more players valuable minutes, and they almost grabbed a consolation goal just before full time. Clelland exchanged a neat one-two with fellow substitute Kyle McClements before unleashing a powerful effort, but Hepburn produced an excellent save to preserve his clean sheet.
PHOTO: Arran Brookfield in action
Montrose: Gill (Millar 80’), Williamson (Mochrie 73’), Steeves (Masson 86’), Quinn (Adeoye 80’), McGinty (Conner 80’), Byrne (Freeman 63’), Barjonas (Clark 73’), Loudon (Bertie 73’), Lyons (McClements 63’), Duffy (Donaldson 76’), Craig (Clelland 45’)
Saints: Hepburn, Diabate (Baird 45’), McAlear (Stanton 45’), Steven (Chalmers 45’), Holt (Robertson 45’), Gullan (Fowler 45’), Foulds (Smith 45’), Todd (Brookfield 68’), Fotheringham (McAdam 68’), Finlayson (Trialist 45’), Paton (Clark 68’)
Unused Substitute: Thomson (GK)
Scorers: Paton (18’), Diabate (23’), Chalmers (63’)
Referee: Greg Souter
Attendance: TBC
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Kai Fotheringham unleashes a powerful strike at goal
