Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday July 12th 2008
Montrose 1-1 St Johnstone

A SUPERBLY-taken goal by John Baird helped Montrose to a draw against St Johnstone in their second pre-season friendly match.
Had it come in a competitive encounter, the former St Mirren man’s strike would have been a contender for goal of the season, his lob from 35 yards leaving Saints keeper Euan McLean helpless.
The Gable Endies’ second friendly tie with First Division opposition in the space of the week was watched by a healthy crowd at Links Park, with those in attendance treated to an open match between two teams fielding near full-strength sides.
Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris lined up for St Johnstone, as did striker Collin Samuel, previously of Dundee United. Montrose, meanwhile, named three trialists in their squad as manager Jim Weir continued to run the rule over potential signings as the beginning of the season draws closer.
Montrose started the match in better form than their Perth-based opponents, Jay Stein fizzing a drive across the box as early as the fifth minute. The same player linked well with Jamie Buchan a few minutes later, but the Saints defenders managed to clear the ball to safety.
The home side’s tenacity paid off in the 14th minute. St Johnstone right back Gary Irvine played a poor ball into the middle of the park, which found its way to BAIRD. Taking the ball in his stride, the youngster showed great awareness to spot McLean standing well off his line and sent a perfect 35-yard lob into the back of the net.
Former Arbroath winger Gavin Swankie looked to be St Johnstone’s most creative player in the first half, and his determined running down the left kept Montrose’s rearguard on their toes. He came close to causing problems in the 27th minute, weaving into the box from the left, but overhit his cross and could only watch the ball roll out of play.
Jody Morris, a player whose career highlights include winning the FA Cup and playing in the Champions League with Chelsea, came close to equalising for St Johnstone in the 33rd minute, crashing a half volley narrowly wide of Mark Peat’s goal. Three minutes later, centre back Steven Anderson headed the ball into the Montrose box from a corner, Andy Jackson rising to head just over at the post.
St Johnstone’s best chance of the match came in the 37th minute. Recent Montrose signing David Worrel pulled Swankie’s shirt in the box. Jackson stepped up to take the penalty, but his kick was weak, with Peat not forced to move to make the save. Following the ball into the box, Chris McLeod slid the ball to safety as Jackson shaped to slam the rebound into the net.
Former Poland U21 international David Topolski, on trial with St Johnstone, looked a lively figure throughout the match, using his pace to full advantage as he roamed the full length of the left flank from his place at left back. He came close to levelling the scores six minutes before half time, blasting a 30-yard shot straight at Peat.
The final action before the break saw St Johnstone’s Chris Millar’s shot tipped wide. The resulting corner fell to Morris 20 yards from goal, but he shot over the bar.
Though Montrose had been the match of their full-time opponents in the first half, the visitors looked more lively after the break, Jackson coming close with a half volley, Millar having a shot deflected wide and Samuel screwing a shot high and wide within 10 minutes of the restart.
The McDiarmid Park side finally equalised in the 72nd minute. Topolski’s shot from wide on the left was deflected off Worrel’s foot and spun over Peat and into the bottom corner of the net.
Swankie could have put St Johnstone ahead five minutes later, but instead shot wide after being sent clear down the left by Samuel. Saints substitutes McDonald and Weatherston both had chances as time ticked away, as did Roddy Hunter of Montrose, but neither side could capitalise.

Match Report by Mark Rae