By Club Spokesman Jordan Sibley in Thun

Saints lost their opening pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening, going down 4-2 to FC Thun despite a spirited second half come-back. Thun, who play in the top division of Swiss football, took advantage of a tired looking Saints to race into a 4-0 lead after fifty five minutes, before a Dean Hammond volley and a Jose Fonte header arrived late in the day.

The Lachen Stadium, Thun

Saints team 1st Half (4-5-1):

Davis. Harding, Fonte (c), Martin, Dickson. Oxlade-Chamberlain, McNish, Wotton, Puncheon, Holmes. Barnard

Wearing the smart new black away kit, Jose Fonte led Saints out of the tunnel, as Saints took to the pitch for the first of their two fixtures in Switzerland. Alan Pardew opted to give former Eastleigh centre back Aaron Martin a start alongside the Portuguese defender, whilst youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was given a start out on the right of a five man midfield.

Jose Fonte prepares to lead the team out against FC Thun

After five days of hard work on the training pitch the team looked a little sluggish in comparison to their Swiss counterparts, who had completed a full pre-season campaign ahead of their season opener on Saturday.

After 12 minutes, a fairly harmless looking foul by Jason Puncheon allowed Thun a free kick from around 25 yards. Oscar Scarione stepped up and dispatched the dead ball with Rickie Lambert-esque precision past a full stretch Kelvin Davis to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

Thun take the lead with a superb free-kick

Slipping behind seemed to wake Saints up as they fought back immediately, Jose Fonte going close as he fired over from a Lee Holmes corner, before Lee Barnard followed up a Puncheon strike, only to be ruled offside.

However, as half time approached Thun took advantage of some tiring Saints legs, with Muhamed Demiri picking up on a loose ball in midfield, breaking into the box and curling in a fine effort into the top corner to make it 2-0.

The soaring temperatures meant the game stopped after 25 minutes for the players to take on fluids

The second goal seemed to well and truly take the wind from Saints sails, as right on the stroke of half time Scarione got clear down the left and fired in an effort which Davis managed to block with his legs. However, the ball bounced straight onto the knee of Nick Proschwitz and into the back of the net without the striker knowing too much about it as Thun raced to a 3-0 lead at half time.

Half Time: FC Thun 3-0 Saints.

Saints team 2nd Half (4-4-2):

Forecast. Harding, Fonte (c), Martin, Dickson. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Puncheon. Lambert, Connolly

Alan Pardew made five changes at the break and opted for a 4-4-2 formation as Saints looked to get back into the game. Strikers Rickie Lambert and David Connolly came on up front, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Dean Hammond forming a new central midfield partnership. Tommy Forecast replaced Kelvin Davis in between the posts.

The changes saw Saints manage to close down a Thun side far more efficiently as they appeared quite happy to knock the ball around amongst their defenders. However, after fifty-five minutes, they were gifted another lifeline. An aimless punt downfield by the Thun keeper was allowed to bounce in the middle of the park, and Rama was quickest to react to the loose ball lobbing Forecast from 30 yards to make the scoreline 4-0.

David Connolly finds the back of the net, only to be ruled offside

Shortly after, Joseph Mills was introduced for Ryan Dickson, before Saints were presented with their best chance of an opener. Poor marking at a Dan Harding corner allowed Aaron Martin to head towards goal, but his effort hit the turf and somehow bounced up and over the bar. Ten minutes later David Connolly broke through to shoot home, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

On eighty-one minutes Saints finally got the goal that their increasing pressure deserved. Connolly, who had proved a thorn in the side of the Thun defenders since his introduction, broke through down the left and delivered a fantastic cross which was met by Dean Hammond as he slammed home from six yards to make it 4-1.

Dean Hammond fires home Saints' first from close range

With the clock ticking down, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had looked lively throughout, did well to force a corner on the right, before being replaced by Radhi Jaidi. The resultant corner was well delivered by Puncheon and Jose Fonte rose highest to powerfully head home Saints second on eighty-six minutes - 4-2.

The ref blew for full time shortly afterwards, calling an end to a keenly contested encounter from which Alan Pardew will have learnt a great deal as Saints continue on the path to full match fitness.

Full Time: FC Thun 4-2 Saints