Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 Saints

The hosts took the lead on 13 minutes as Craig Wighton got on the end of an Aaron Comrie cross to slot the ball home from 9 yards.

Saints though responded and were back on level terms on 26 minutes as Graham Carey sent a brilliant strike into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Saints introduced a number of promising youngsters as the second half progressed as both sides created chances to win the friendly but in the end the honours were shared.

Next up for Saints is another trip to Fife next Tuesday evening as they make the trip to Methil for a pre-season friendly with East Fife at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, kick off 7:45pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints made their first public appearance of pre-season this evening as they took on Championship side Dunfermline Athletic at the KDM Group East End Park. Saints fielded a strong starting eleven which also included starts for youngsters Alex Ferguson and Liam Parker. Callum Booth was the only senior player on the bench as the rest of the Saints bench was made up of promising youth players.

Craig Wighton got the match underway for the hosts and the first chance of the match came on 8 minutes as Aaron Comrie took advantage of a slack pass by Tony Gallacher. The former Saints player drove forward before crossing the ball into the box but Liam Parker made a great interception as he cut the ball out for a corner with Wighton lurking looking to get on the end of the cross. Ewan Otoo took the corner from the right and he played it to Matthew Todd on the edge of the box. The midfielder then slipped the ball into the feet of Sam Fisher who put his effort inches wide of Ross Sinclair’s left-hand post.

The Pars came very close to taking the lead 2 minutes later as Wighton played in Lewis McCann and the forward unleashed a strike from distance which hit the post.

The pressure from Dunfermline eventually told as they took the lead on 13 minutes. Comrie sent over an inviting ball from the right which was missed by McCann however, Wighton didn’t miss as he slotted the ball beyond Sinclair and into the corner of the net to give the Fife side the lead.

PHOTO: Cammy Ballantyne and Aaron Comrie battle for the ball

Saints looked to make a quick response and on 16 minutes Graham Carey whipped over an inviting ball into the box which Stevie May got on the end of however, Kyle Benedictus made an excellent block to deny the Saints forward.

Steven MacLean’s men were back on level terms on 26 minutes as Ryan McGowan played the ball into the feet of Carey who turned with the ball before unleashing a brilliant effort from the edge of the box as it nestled in the top corner of the net.

Before the game could re-start Saints made a change as Taylor Steven came on to replace Alex Ferguson.

Saints were now creating the better chances and on 33 minutes Carey curled a strike wide from almost the same position he had scored. Then a minute later Steven sent over an inviting ball from the left which Drey Wright couldn’t make a clean connection with as The Pars defence cleared the danger.

PHOTO: Ewan Otoo is closed down by Ali Crawford

The Perth side continued to apply the pressure and on 36 minutes Tony Gallacher made an excellent run down the left channel before picking out May in the centre of the box however, he sliced his effort wide. May then got another sight of goal 2 minutes later however, this time his effort was blocked by Christopher Hamilton who turned the ball behind for a corner.

With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Wright cut the ball back from the byline to May and the Saints number seven attempted to backheel his effort but it was blocked by a Pars defender. Carey was next to unleash an effort at the Dunfermline goal however, his effort took a nick off a Saints player before going wide.  

Into the second half and Carey came close on 52 minutes as his volley went narrowly wide of the far post.

On the hour mark McGowan won Saints a free kick out wide on the right. Carey took the free kick and he curled his effort inches wide of Deniz Mehmet’s right-hand post.

Saints made their second change of the game on 65 minutes as Callum Booth made a welcome return to action, replacing Tony Gallacher.

PHOTO: Drey Wright goes by Ewan Otoo

May got another chance to give Saints the lead 2 minutes later as he burst in The Pars box but he couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as his effort went wide of the target.

The hosts then created a couple of chances of their own as on 70 minutes Paul McGowan played in Miller Fenton but Sinclair made great block with his legs to deny the defender. Then barely a minute later Sinclair was called into action again this time making a good save to thwart McCann.

Saints third change of the game came on 71 minutes as Ali Crawford made way for Ben McCrystal.

Saints came close to a second goal on 77 minutes as Carey’s corner from the right was flicked on by May at the near post however, Liam Gordon was inches away from connecting with the ball at the back post as it went out for a goal kick.

Fran Franczak was then introduced into the action as Saints made another change as the youngster came on to replace Ryan McGowan.

PHOTO: Taylor Steven is tackled by Miller Fenton

The Pars created a chance to regain the lead with 6 minutes remaining as a corner from the right by Joseph Chalmers was met by Otoo however, the defender couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Saints then made a further change as Stevie May was replaced by Jackson Mylchreest.

The final chance of the match fell to the hosts as McCann did well to get on the end of a McGowan ball. The forward was able to get a touch on the ball to take it past the advancing Sinclair however, it trundled agonisingly wide of the post as the match ended in a draw.

Dunfermline Athletic: Mehmet, Comrie, Edwards (Fenton 45), Benedictus, Hamilton, Otoo, Wighton (McGowan 45), Todd (Tod 62), McCann, Breen (Chalmers 62), Fisher (Allan 43)

Unused Substitutes: Little (GK), Sutherland, Young, Hoggan

Booked: None

Scorer: Wighton (13)

Saints: Sinclair, Ferguson (Steven 27), Gordon, Parker, Gallacher (Booth 65), McGowan (Franczak 77), Ballantyne, Crawford (McCrystal 71), Wright, Carey, May (Mylchreest 84)

Unused Substitutes: Thomson (GK), Ellison, Klimionek

Booked: None

Scorer: Carey (26)

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 1,617

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Ben McCrystal and Joe Chalmers