DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | MOTHERWELL (H)
31st October 2024
ST MIRREN 2-1 DUNDEE UNITED
CINCH PREMIERSHIP
3PM SATURDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2022
THE SMISA STADIUM
A late winner in Paisley saw St Mirren claim all three points in the cinch Premiership.
Substitute Steven Fletcher’s strike minutes after coming on cancelled out a Carljohan Eriksson own goal in the first half.
A VAR intervention stopped the Saints from going back in front just a few moments later however Alex Greive’s late header secured victory for the hosts.
TWO CHANGES
Liam Fox named two changes to the side that were defeated by Kilmarnock midweek.
Craig Sibbald began id midfield alongside Ilmari Niskanen who made his first start of the season.
Dylan Levitt missed out on the matchday squad through injury whilst Kieran Freeman had a place on the bench.
There were also changes to the bench as Miller Thomson featured in place of Mathew Cudjoe.
QUICK CHANCES
Both sides had chances to open the scoring inside the first 10 minutes.
The Terrors went close with what would have been an own goal, but Trevor Carson did enough to keep the ball out at his near post.
United followed up with Niskanen having an effort but his powerful, low drive was blocked on its way towards the target.
Down the other end, an out-swinging cross to the back post caused trouble for the United defence. Charles Dunne got on the end of it and his header crashed off the bar.
More chances fell either way as the game opened up in the first half.
The home side had the ball in the net after 16 minutes but play had already been halted for a foul on Ryan Edwards in the build-up.
Liam Smith was then on hand to block Jonah Ayunga’s effort as he was played through on goal at the 20-minute mark.
Tony Watt went closest to opening the scoring for the Terrors as Trevor Carson was found wandering outside the box. Watt latched onto a loose ball and almost found the empty net from distance but the ball bounced just wide.
SAINTS MAKE THE BREAKTHROUGH
The hosts had the opener their play deserved just five minutes before the interval. Main worked some space for a header inside the area. His nodded effort struck the post and ricocheted off of Eriksson before trundling into the net.
United had half chances before the break but it was the Saints that took the lead into half-time.
IMPACT OFF THE BENCH
It was a fast opening to the second period.
Arnaud Djoum saw yellow for a foul on Keanu Baccus as the Saints midfielder looked to charge goalwards.
United responded with a change moments later as Niskanen was replaced by Steven Fletcher.
In some fast action, Ayunga crashed an effort off the post from inside the area before the following United counter-attack was halted by Ethan Erhahon who was cautioned for his challenge.
A quick free-kick and United were in flowing action down the left flank. Behich worked a hanging cross into the box which was knocked down by Watt. His cushioned header found Fletcher who drove the ball home from close range to bring us level.
VAR INTERVENES
Less than four minutes later, the Saints thought they had retaken the lead through Ayunga’s cool finish.
However, after a lengthy VAR check and an on-field review, the referee disallowed the goal for a foul during the attacking phase of play.
The decision was a great example of VAR being used correctly after Baccus’ arm clearly struck Behich’s face in the build-up.
SMITH GOES CLOSE
Our best chance to take the lead came as Liam Smith drove through the heart of the Saints’ midfield.
The full-back got his shot away 25 yards from goal but it sailed just past the post.
ST MIRREN TAKE THE POINTS
A change for the hosts with ten to play came as Greive replaced Ayunga.
Greive wasted no time, latching onto a cross and sending a glancing header into the net.
Scott McMann’s teasing cross that eventually clipped the back post was the closest United came to an equaliser as the home side held on for the victory.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
Liam Fox gives his assessment of our defeat in Paisley. pic.twitter.com/xQgzyVDEQy
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) October 22, 2022
TEAM LINES
Starting XI: Eriksson, Smith, McMann, Niskanen (Fletcher 54’), Djoum (Harkes 67’), Edwards, Sibbald, Middleton, Behich, McGrath, Watt (A.Sadat 69’)
Unused substitutes: Birighitti, Graham, Pawlett, Meekison, Freeman, Thomson
NEXT UP
We’re back on home turf following three away matches on the spin.
Motherwell travel to Tannadice next Saturday for a 3 o’clock kick-off in the cinch Premiership.
