East Fife 0-3 Saints

The first half was a tight affair as both side had chances to take the lead. Saints were given a golden opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot with 5 minutes of the first half remaining however, Stevie May saw his effort saved by Allan Fleming.

Steven MacLean made ten changes at half time as a youthful Saints team emerged for the second half.

The young Saints took the lead on 63 minutes as Ali Crawford produced a clinical finish to convert a Fran Franczak cross. Jackson Mylchreest then doubled Saints lead 2 minutes later with a fine looping header.

Saints sealed a comfortable victory as they got a third with 5 minutes remaining thanks to a stunning strike from 25 yards by Callum Booth.

Saints will now look ahead to Saturday as they get their Viaplay Cup campaign underway as they take on Stenhousemuir at Ochilview Park, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints continued their mini pre-season tour of Fife this evening as they made the trip to Methil to take on cinch League Two side East Fife at the MMG Timber Bayview Stadium. Saints came from behind to draw 1-1 with Dunfermline Athletic last Tuesday night and manager Steven MacLean made three changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s friendly. Alex Ferguson, Liam Parker and Ali Crawford all dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Andy Considine, Cammy MacPherson and Max Kucheriavyi.

Stevie May got the match underway for Saints but it was the hosts who created the first chance of the match after 4 minutes as Brogan Walls played in Mikey Cunningham on the left however, the forward curled his effort wide of the target.

Saints got a sight of goal on 11 minutes as Max Kucheriavyi unleashed a strike from distance however, it was a comfortably save for Allan Fleming in the East Fife goal.

Play quickly switched to the other end as a minute later Ross Sinclair produced an excellent save as he touched Ryan Schiavone’s curling shot onto the bar before the Saints defence cleared the danger.

Good play by Graham Carey on 14 minutes saw him advance down the left channel before sending over an inviting ball into the box however, Stewart Murdoch was alert to the danger as the East Fife captain headed the ball behind for a corner.

PHOTO: Graham Carey is tackled by Sean Docherty

Both side continued to create chances and a minute later Walls carried the ball forward before again playing in Cunningham on the left and his shot at the near post was turned behind for a corner by Sinclair. The corner was taken by Cunningham and his floated delivery into the box was met Gregor Nicol however, he couldn’t find the target with his header.

On 17 minutes MacPherson unleashed a strike at goal which took a deflection off an East Fife player to take the sting out of it as Fleming comfortably gathered the ball. Then 3 minutes later Fleming was almost caught out by a Stevie May cross from the right into the box however, the keeper was able to get a touch on the ball before it was cleared by The Fifers defence.

Great play by Carey on 24 minutes saw him use his pace to beat Pat Slattery to the ball and he then carried it forward before crossing a dangerous ball into the box however, former Saints player Brian Easton got to the ball first as he turned it over for a corner with May lurking in the centre of the box looking to get on the end of the delivery.

Saints were starting to increase the pressure on the East Fife goal as they delivered some inviting crosses into the box however, the final ball was just not falling for the Perth side. On 34 minutes Drey Wright unleashed a strike from distance which Fleming held at the second attempt. Then 3 minutes later Carey picked out MacPherson who was in space in the centre however, his attempt went high over the goal and out of the ground.

With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Saints were given a great chance to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Ryan McGowan by Murdoch. May took the penalty however, his effort down the middle was saved by Fleming’s legs.

PHOTO: Stevie May's penalty is saved

Despite the disappointment of missing the penalty Saints created one final chance before half time as May picked out McGowan who made a good run in from the right however, his strike was blocked by Murdoch.

Saints made ten changes before the second half could get underway as only Ross Sinclair remained on the pitch as all the outfield players were replaced as a youthful Saints side emerged for the second half.

Saints created the first chance of the second half as Ali Crawford sent over a free kick from the left and it broke to Joe Ellison whose effort was saved by Fleming at his near post.

On 52 minutes great play by Cunningham saw the forward skip past Ellison as he broke down the left before sending an inviting ball into the Saints box however, the Saints defence cleared the danger before Schiavone could tap home.

PHOTO: Fran Franczak gets away from Sean Docherty

Just before the hour mark Jackson Mylchreest came close to breaking the deadlock. Then shortly after Callum Booth picked out Alex Ferguson in the centre of the box with his cross from the left however, Fleming produced a smart save as he tipped the header from the midfielder over for a corner.

The breakthrough finally came on 63 minutes as Saints took the lead. Great skill by Fran Franczak saw him beat the East Fife defender out wide on the right and he then delivered a fine ball into the box which Ali Crawford got on the end of at the back post to send a clinical finish beyond Fleming and into the net.

Saints then doubled their lead 2 minutes later as Taylor Steven’s cross was headed home by Jackson Mylchreest who sent a lovely looping header beyond Fleming.

PHOTO: Jackson Mylchreest celebrates his goal with Alex Ferguson

East Fife manager Greig McDonald made numerous changes throughout the second half and one of his substitutes, Nathan Austin, won the hosts a free kick in an inviting position on the edge of the box on 83 minutes as the forward was fouled by Ellison. Jack Healy took the free kick however, he curled his effort wide. Then shortly after Healy played a good ball into Schiavone but unfortunately for the forward he took a heavy touch as Sinclair came out to gather the ball.

Saints then wrapped up an impressive second half performance as they scored a third with 5 minutes remaining. Callum Booth gathered the ball in midfield and advanced forward before unleashing a stunning strike from 25 yards which gave substitute keeper Reece Beveridge no chance as it flew into the far corner of the net.

PHOTO: Callum Booth runs forward unchallenged and scores to make it 3-0

East Fife: Fleming (Beveridge 74), Murdoch, McManus, Schiavone, Slattery, Nicol (Shepherd 62), Cunningham (Austin 62), Docherty (Murray 68), Walls (Healy 68), Easton (Miller 62), Comerford

Unused Substitutes: Newton, Trouten, Page

Booked: None

Saints First Half Staring XI: Sinclair, Gallacher, Considine, McGowan, Gordon, May, MacPherson, Carey, Wright, Kucheriavyi, Ballantyne

Saints Second Half Starting XI: Sinclair, Ellison, Parker, Klimionek, Booth, Ferguson, Franczak, Mylchreest, Crawford, McCrystal, Steven

Unused Substitute: Thomson (GK)

Booked: None

Scorers: Crawford (63), Mylchreest (65), Booth (85)

Referee: Scott Lambie

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Callum Booth celebrates his goal with Ali Crawford