Montrose vs ST Johnstone

Saints created the first chance inside four minutes when Jason Holt was played into the box, but his cross was cut out by Sean McGinty. From the resulting corner, Jamie Gullan's delivery found Ruari Paton, but the forward glanced a free header wide of the near post.

Montrose responded immediately — Ewan Loudon burst down the right and crossed for Blair Lyons, whose lay-off set up Steeves, but stand-in goalkeeper Craig Hepburn produced a smart save to deny the Montrose captain.

St Johnstone broke through on 18 minutes. Kai Fotheringham played in Gullan, whose effort was palmed away by Cameron Gill, but the ball fell kindly for Ruari Paton to slot home from close range — his first goal since joining permanently from Port Vale over the summer.

Five minutes later, Saints doubled their lead. Matty Foulds was fouled, and Cheick Diabate rose highest to power home Gullan's excellent free-kick delivery, making it 2-0 after 23 minutes.

Montrose had a chance to pull one back before half-time when Lyons' cross found Harry Craig unmarked at the back post, but he blasted wide. Steeves then saw a free kick fail to trouble Hepburn.

Valakari made seven changes at half-time, handing minutes to Jack Baird, a trialist, Liam Smith, Sam Stanton, Jack Robertson, Logan Chalmers and Josh Fowler.

Montrose pushed early in the second half. Archie Clelland played Lyons through on goal, but Hepburn denied him with a fine save. The Saints keeper then produced another stop to thwart Lyons again on 53 minutes.

Despite the pressure, Saints extended their lead on 63 minutes. Paton picked out Logan Chalmers with an excellent cut-back, and the half-time substitute swept home a superb left-footed finish from 20 yards to make it 3-0.

Montrose substitute Clelland almost snatched a consolation late on, exchanging a one-two with Kyle McClements before forcing another fine save from Hepburn.

Montrose came out strongly after the interval, creating three clear chances in the opening eight minutes. Hepburn's saves to deny Lyons — once one-on-one — preserved Saints' two-goal cushion. Had Montrose scored then, the dynamic shifts entirely. Instead, Chalmers' strike on 63 minutes killed the contest.

Craig Hepburn (St Johnstone) — The stand-in goalkeeper started in place of the absent Ross Sinclair and produced several crucial saves, particularly in the second-half spell when Montrose pushed for a way back. A clean sheet on his first start of pre-season.

Ruari Paton (St Johnstone) — A goal and an assist. The former Port Vale striker scored the opener (18') and laid on Chalmers' decisive third with a clever cut-back.

Cheick Diabate (St Johnstone) — Dominant in the air at both ends. His powerful header from Gullan's free kick doubled the lead and showcased the aerial threat he brings to this Saints side.

Player of the Match: Craig Hepburn — his saves in the second half preserved the clean sheet and prevented Montrose from building any momentum.

St Johnstone's first two goals came in a five-minute burst (18' and 23') that effectively settled the match before half-time. The seven changes at the break showed Valakari prioritising minutes across the squad, but the introduction of Chalmers proved decisive — he scored within 18 minutes of coming on. Montrose's second-half pressure (several chances inside the first 15 minutes) made Hepburn's performance all the more pivotal; his three one-on-one stops were the difference between a comfortable win and a nervy finish.

St Johnstone have won both pre-season friendlies so far — 4-0 against Forfar Athletic on 30 June and now 3-0 against Montrose. Valakari's side face their final pre-season test away to Cove Rangers on Saturday 11 July (14:00 kick-off) at Balmoral Stadium before competitive action begins.

Montrose, who play in Scottish League One, used the fixture to give minutes to a large squad ahead of their own season preparations.

A professional, controlled pre-season performance from St Johnstone. The early two-goal cushion allowed Valakari to rotate heavily, and the second-half cameo from Chalmers — a left-footed finish from distance — was the standout moment. Hepburn's clean sheet in goal is a positive for squad depth. Montrose had their moments but lacked the cutting edge to make them count.

Match report by Daryl Scott (St Johnstone FC) — used with permission.