Forfar Athletic vs ST Johnstone

St Johnstone needed only 20 minutes to break the deadlock. Midfielder Sam Stanton opened the scoring, slotting home from close range to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Just four minutes later, the Saints doubled their advantage. K. Fotheringham found the net in the 24th minute, punishing a Forfar defence still trying to settle into the game.

The first-half rout was completed two minutes before the interval. J. Fowler made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute, leaving the Loons with a mountain to climb at the break.

St Johnstone continued to control the game after the restart. Taylor Steven added the fourth goal in the 65th minute, capping an impressive individual display and sealing the most emphatic of pre-season scorelines.

Forfar Athletic, managed by Jim Weir, were unable to register a shot on target that seriously troubled the Saints defence, with the St Johnstone backline enjoying a comfortable evening.

Stanton's opening goal in the 20th minute set the tone after a patient start from both sides. Once the Saints found their rhythm, Forfar struggled to contain the movement of Fotheringham and Fowler in the final third. The three-goal burst inside 23 minutes effectively ended the contest before half-time.

• Sam Stanton — Scored the crucial opener and dictated play from midfield. The experienced playmaker controlled the tempo throughout his time on the pitch.
• K. Fotheringham — A constant threat down the flanks, scoring one and creating problems for the Forfar full-backs with his direct running.
• Taylor Steven — Came off the bench to add the fourth goal, showcasing the squad depth Valakari is building ahead of the Premiership return.
• Forfar defence — Faced relentless pressure and while they conceded four, the scoreline could have been wider given St Johnstone's dominance in possession and territory.

Player of the match: Sam Stanton — his early goal broke the resistance and his all-round midfield performance set the platform for the rout.

The 4-0 scoreline accurately reflected St Johnstone's superiority. A three-goal half-time lead indicated the gulf in quality between a Premiership-bound side and a League Two outfit still assembling their squad. Forfar manager Jim Weir noted pre-match that injury and holiday commitments had stretched his numbers, and the starting XI featured several trialists. St Johnstone, by contrast, fielded a strong side including new signings, and the Saints' first-half intensity proved too much for the home side.

St Johnstone's pre-season preparations are off to the perfect start as they build towards the Premier Sports Cup group stages, which begin next weekend. The Saints followed up their Scottish Championship title win last season with a statement-of-intent performance. Manager Simo Valakari will have been delighted with the sharpness shown by his squad, particularly the new recruits who integrated seamlessly.

Forfar Athletic continue their pre-season with further friendlies scheduled against Banks O'Dee (July 4) and Peterhead (July 7) as Jim Weir assembles his squad for the League Two campaign ahead.

St Johnstone's next friendly is away to Montrose on Saturday, July 4 (14:00 BST).

A thoroughly professional pre-season performance from a St Johnstone side that looked sharper than expected for late June. The Saints barely got out of second gear but still scored four, with the midfield trio of Stanton, Fotheringham and Fowler pulling the strings. Forfar will take lessons from the game but will face far fewer formidable opponents in League Two this season.