Mark Corcoran made his Saints debut up front alongside Stewart Kean, whilst John Potter and Ian Maxwell had to make do with a place on the bench. Midweek signing Billy Mehmet has the mumps and looks like being out for a few weeks!
This was a rather boring game with few incidents of note. In the first half Stewart Kean forced Colin Meldrum into a save from a close range shot, whilst Meldrum had to be alert to brilliantly turn Kean's header away for a corner. Corcoran had a few efforts, one a long range shot that went over and one an overhead kick that went wide.
The only other item of a note in the first half was the comical sight of forty year old Andy Millen charging down the wing and actually beating someone! The Forfar player in question wasn't impressed and promptly flattened him.
The second half was a bit better, with Forfar managing to create a few chances themselves. Corcoran could have scored but fell over when trying to take a shot, and Alan Reid went close when his lobbed effort hit the cross bar, whilst Forfar sprayed a few long range shots high and wide. Sub John Baird also had a good chance but he volleyed well over when Corcoran set him up.
With fifteen or so minutes to go Forfar should have taken the lead. Some good move saw Paul Shields with the ball out right, who crossed it to Aaron Conway on the other side of the penalty area. He played it in to David McClune, whose effort was somehow cleared off the line by Kevin McGowne into Craig Hinchcliffe's arms. As there was a pole in my way I can't really comment on whether it was in or not, but the linesman said no so that is good enough for me!
Five minutes later Saints could have been in front when Simon Lappin had a go from long range but Meldrum tipped it round the post.
That was it as far as normal time action goes and extra time was more of the same, Saints winning corners but not doing anything with them and Forfar having the odd attack, looking more dangerous than we did in the process. There was one exception to all this though.
Midway through the first period of extra time substitute Ian Maxwell got the ball on the left hand side of the pitch and produced a great cross into the box. There were a few Saints players in the box and it was Alan Reid who got onto it to volley home his first Saints goal from close range. A goal that was enough to settle an extremely uneventful match.
Saints dominated this match and we should have had it won easily in extra time. We desperately need another striker as we created openings and had a few chances but couldn't take them. Billy Mehmet might be the answer but we still need another new face.
On the plus side we didn't lose any goals, we went through and the three new signings look good. Let's hope we can open the league campaign with a win over Dundee next week.