Premiership Saints needed penalties to edge past League 2 East Fife in the Betfred Cup, which started their competitive season.
Neither side could muster a goal in 90 minutes, and Zander Clark’s save from Craig Thomson edged the spot-kick competition 5-4. Saints had much more of the ball, but the Fife side did just as much with their lesser share and will be competitive in their division. St Johnstone had Drew Wright on from the start, while Tony Watt had a quiet half-hour from the bench, as Saints struggled to work Brett Long. “We should have won the game, but didn’t make enough of the good areas we got into and the chances we made,” said boss Tommy Wright. “We didn’t lump the ball long, we passed it and got into the box, but our finishing and, sometimes, the final ball in was not good.” East Fife manager Darren Young was pleased. “The guys protected the keeper well, and I was pleased with their aggression and work,” he praised. The Perth boss gave the home fans a glimpse into the season ahead, with Jason Kerr and Liam Gordon at centreback, in front of Zander Clark. Gordon looked particularly strong in the air and in the tackle, while he was keen to move forward and lend a hand at the attacking end. Scott Tanser tried to offer some width on the left, when Liam Craig moved inside, but the search is still on for a left-winger. They might have looked on ruefully as one of their youth products, Craig Thomson, sparkled wide on the right for the Fife team. His pace and delivery when he reached the bye-line created a wonderful 20th-minute chance for Scott McBride, but Clark saved the header. The Fifers were well served at the back by their two central defenders, Daryl Meggat and Ross Dunlop, and they did not look two divisions below their rivals.