Huntly 2 Saints 2
Team : Nelson, Robertson, Lovering, Ferry, Dods,
Maxwell, Stevenson, Reilly, Mixu, Bernard, McLaughlin
Subs : Cuthbert, Johnston (on for McLaughlin),
Fotheringham (on for Reilly), Forsyth (on for Lovering), Malone (on for
Mixu)
Saints drew 2-2 with Huntly on Friday night as the pre-season matches moved to the north east. With a trip to Inverurie still to come on Sunday, Billy Stark's men had another valuable run out, with Mark Ferry and Mixu on target. Huntly levelled the game in the dying seconds with a freekick. Craig Nelson made his debut for Saints while Keigan Parker wasn't risked as he is suffering from a slight thigh strain. Mark ferry took a midfild berth leaving Ryan Stevenson to move up front with Mixu Paatelainen.
Saints took up where they left off against Forfar with a lot of good possession football and the eraly stages saw Paatelainen, Stevenson and Reilly all prominent. The home goalkeeper had a couple of saves to make within a few minutes of each other and he did well to block the headed efforts from Ferry and Mixu. Other than that the home defence was happy enough to clear away the obvious aerial danger posed by high balls into the box. However, it was just such a high ball which allowed Saints to take the lead in the 39th minute. Paul Lovering and Brian Mclaughlin combined on the left and the latter's cros was met with a pwoerful header from Ferry which Huntly keeper Thomson got his hands to but couldn't stop from crossing the line.
Just prior to the Saints goal an otherwise quiet Craig Nelson showed alertness to cut out a couple of dangerous crosses but he had no answer in the 42nd minute when the home side's started and finished the move which brough an equalising goal, the big striker volleying home high to Nelson's left after running onto a through ball.
The second half was not a great affair and was a more even contest in terms of possession and the high level of substitutions didn't help the game flow. Ross Forsyth was introduced for an injured Paul Lovering while Martyn Fotheringham, Eddie Malone and you Craig Johnston were also introduced. What looked likely to be the winner actually came quite early on the in the second half and again McLaughlin was the provider with a strong run and cross which was met in trademark style by Mixu Paatelainen for his second goal in as many games, this time a header from 12 yards.
The small band of Saints fans anticipated another win but in the final minute a 25 yard free kick beat the Saints wall thanks to a deflection and beat Nelson low to his left leaving tha match all square at 2-2. Another good work out fo the team then with the Highland League side proving as tough if not tougher opposition than Forfar.
Nelson had little to do bar pick the ball out of the net, the back four looked solid enough with John Robertson also looking confident coming forward. The midfield looked sharp with Paul Bernard loking effective although perhaps not just as impressive as at Station Park. Mark Ferry showed that he intends to force his way into contention this season while up front Mixu put in another great shift while Ryan Stevenson started well but faded as the game went on
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