Match report: Huntly 0-2 Saints

Saints took the lead on 3 minutes as Stevie May converted from the spot after the forward had been tripped in the box.

Huntly created chances to get back into the match as a header from Ross Still hit the crossbar whilst Lewis Crosbie saw his header hit the post.

Saints sealed the win with 12 minutes remaining as Joe Ellison headed home a Graham Carey corner.

Saints are back in action next Saturday as they head to Arbroath for a pre-season friendly, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints continued their preparations for the new season this afternoon as they took on Breedon Highland League side Huntly in a friendly at the Safelift Christie Park.

Following on from last night’s 6-1 win at Nairn County, Craig Levein fielded another side which contained a mixture of youth and experience as he aimed to ensure all players got minutes on the pitch.

Huntly’s number 10 trialist got the match underway however, 2 minutes into the match Saints were awarded a penalty after Stevie May was tripped in the box by Ross Still. May took the penalty himself and he sent Fraser Hobday in the Huntly goal the wrong way as he slotted his low strike into the bottom corner of the net to give Saints an early lead.

The hosts came close to an equaliser on 8 minutes as Ryan Sewell’s corner from the right was met by Still and the header from the defender crashed off the crossbar.

As the first half progressed Saints were passing the ball about well however, they didn’t create anything of significance to trouble Hobday in the Huntly goal.

Then on the half an hour mark the Highland League side came close to an equaliser. Sewell played in Sam Robertson with a great through ball and the forward’s cross from the bye-line was met by Lewis Crosbie at the back post and his header hit the post before Ross Sinclair gathered the ball.

Saints continued to press for a second goal and on 38 minutes Taylor Steven saw his strike headed clear by Still.

With 3 minutes of the first half remaining Saints were forced into change as Josh McPake came on to replace Alex Ferguson who had picked up a knock.

Just like last night Craig Levein rang the changes at half time with only Ross Sinclair, Stevie May and Josh McPake the only players remaining from those who finished the first half.

5 minutes into the second half Liam Parker sent a long ball forward which was chased down by McPake who then broke into the box before seeing his cross headed behind for a corner by Still. Matt Smith took the corner from the left and his delivery broke to Graham Carey just outside the box however, he blasted his effort high into the trees behind the goal.

On 62 minutes Drey Wright picked out the trialist in the centre of the box however, his strike was straight at Hobday.

Saints then made a further change a minute later as Ross Sinclair made way for Craig Hepburn.

Good play by Wright on 66 minutes saw his cross from the right met by the trialist who produced a spectacular overhead kick but Hobday was able to get down low to his left to palm away the effort.

The Saints trialist got another chance to extend Saints lead on 71 minutes as he latched onto a through ball from Matt Smith and was in on goal as he looked to round Hobday however, the Huntly number one did enough to put him off as he was unable to find the target with his effort.

Saints made another change a minute later as Stevie May was replaced by Jackson Mylchreest.

A good move by Saints on 77 minutes saw them advance down the right channel as Wright sent over a cross into the box which was cut out by Still for a corner. Carey took the corner from the right and his deep delivery was met at to back post by Joe Ellison who headed the ball into the net to double Saints lead.

With 9 minutes of the match remaining Mylchreest broke down the left before picking out Carey who had advanced into the box however, his shot was comfortably gathered by Hobday. Mylchreest then got a chance of his own as a minute later as he dispossessed Ruari Fraser before seeing his effort from the edge of the box tip around the post by Hobday for a corner.

The closing stages of the match were comfortable for Saints and with 2 minutes remaining they created a final chance as the trialist sent over an inviting ball across the face of the Huntly goal form the right however, no one in a Saints shirt was able to get on the end of it.

Huntly: Hobday (Trialist 87’), Jack (Fraser 63’), Still (Taylor 90+1’), Sewell (Halliday 75’), Robertson (O. Morris 63’), Trialist (Allen 53’), Murray (Etko 84’), Heslop, Gauld (Kaniewski 90+1’), Wallace (Foster 84’), Crosbie (A. Morris 63’)

Saints First Half Starting XI: Sinclair, Shiels, Keltjens, Sprangler, McClelland, Olufunwa, May, C. Smith, Ferguson (McPake 42’), Steven, Kimpioka

Saints Second Half Starting XI: Sinclair (Hepburn 63’), Ellison, Sanders, Parker, Bright, Wright, Trialist, M. Smith, McPake, May (Mylchreest 72’), Carey

Unused Substitute: Sidibeh

Scorers: May (3’ pen), Ellison (78’)

Referee: Lewis Brown

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Joe Ellison