Richard Odada’s Dundee United secured a vital 2-0 victory over Jonah Ayunga’s St. Mirren in an exciting Scottish Premiership encounter on Saturday evening, with both Kenyan players named in their respective teams’ matchday squads. However, neither Odada nor Ayunga had a significant impact on the match. Odada remained an unused substitute, while Ayunga struggled to influence the game during his 18-minute cameo appearance.
The standout performances came from Dundee United’s defenders, Kevin Holt and Emmanuel Adegboyega, who scored the goals that handed the home side a deserved victory. Holt first converted a penalty in the 76th minute and later saw another spot kick saved, but it was Adegboyega’s late strike that sealed the win for Dundee United, lifting them to fourth place in the league standings, level on points with Rangers.
St. Mirren, who had been in impressive form going into the match, suffered their first defeat in five games, ending a four-match unbeaten run. Their chances were further diminished when Marcus Fraser was shown a red card late in the game, leaving the visitors with just 10 men on the pitch.
The match started with early chances for both teams. Dundee United had the first real opportunity in the 8th minute, when a long pass from Holt found Sam Dalby on the left wing. However, Dalby, on loan from Wrexham, blasted the ball over the crossbar, wasting a golden opportunity. The Terrors continued to press, and they nearly broke the deadlock moments later. Will Ferry combined with Dalby to set up a powerful strike, but his shot hit the post, much to the disappointment of the home fans.
St. Mirren also had their fair share of chances to take the lead. Scott Tanser’s effort was blocked by Declan Gallagher, while Olutoyosi Olusanya’s goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by a heroic defensive intervention from Holt. These missed opportunities would come back to haunt St. Mirren, as Dundee United grew more assertive as the game progressed.
The turning point came in the 76th minute, when Dundee United were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. St. Mirren’s Marcus Fraser was penalized for a foul on Kevin Holt in the box, and the Dundee United captain confidently converted the spot kick, sending St. Mirren goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe the wrong way. This goal gave the home side the crucial advantage, and it was made even more significant when Fraser’s troubles worsened. In the 81st minute, Fraser was shown a red card after a second VAR review, with his initial yellow card for a foul on substitute Louis Moult upgraded to a red. This left St. Mirren with just 10 men for the remainder of the match, making a comeback even more difficult.
Despite St. Mirren’s hopes of a late equalizer, their defensive resolve was tested once more. Holt was awarded a second penalty opportunity moments later after being fouled in the box again, but this time Balcombe made an excellent save to deny him. However, Dundee United were undeterred and continued to press forward. In stoppage time, they sealed the victory with a second goal from Emmanuel Adegboyega. From the ensuing corner following Holt’s saved penalty, Adegboyega stabbed home the ball to make it 2-0, ensuring the three points stayed in Dundee.
The win was crucial for Dundee United, not only boosting their league position but also helping them build momentum as they aim to finish higher in the Scottish Premiership standings. For St. Mirren, the loss was a disappointing setback, particularly after their strong recent performances. Their unbeaten streak came to an end, and they now face the challenge of recovering from this defeat to avoid sliding further down the table.
Both Odada and Ayunga will be looking for more prominent roles in their teams’ future matches. For Odada, the hope is that he will play a more active part in Dundee United’s midfield, while Ayunga will be eager to contribute more significantly for St. Mirren as they regroup for their next fixtures.
Dundee United’s strong performance highlighted the importance of defensive resilience and clinical finishing, while St. Mirren will need to address their defensive lapses and ensure they are more composed in future encounters. Both teams will be keen to build momentum, with their next matches offering opportunities for redemption and continued improvement in the league.
