Fresh blood just wasn't enough to fire Saints to glory
| Published date | 13 September 2021 |
| Publication title | Paisley Daily Express |
St Mirren's new signings couldn't help inspire Jim Goodwin's side to their first league win of the season as Dundee United escaped Paisley with a point.
Recruits Matt Millar and Connor Ronan were both handed debuts, with the latter especially impressing in his first start in the stripes.
It was the Terrors who were dominant in the first half, with Peter Pawlett and Marc McNulty both spurning excellent chances to open the scoring for the visitors.
The Buddies were much better after the break, with substitute Richard Tait going closest to breaking the deadlock for the hosts when his close-range volley was saved superbly by Trevor Carson from point-blank range.
Eamonn Brophy saw a fierce strike controversially ruled out, while McNulty spurned a glorious one-on-one chance for the Tangerines, with the game somehow finishing goalless.
That meant the Saints' wait for a first Premiership victory this season continued, with the Paisley side facing a tricky trip to Easter Road next Saturday to face Hibs.
Saints boss Jim Goodwin went into the game short of options in midfield, with Alan Power and Ethan Erhahon both suspended after picking up red cards against Celtic and St Johnstone respectively.
Teenager Dylan Reid was thrust into the action, with the 16-year-old earning his first start for the club alongside Ronan and Jamie McGrath.
The Terrors started the brighter of the two sides, with Ilmari Niskanen drawing an early save from Jak Alnwick as the visitors impressed.
Pawlett burst down the wing after being released by an excellent pass, but his cut back just evaded McNulty as the Saints tried to weather the storm.
Eamonn Brophy was looking sharp for the Buddies up front, using all his strength to get behind the visitors on a couple of occasions.
New wing back Millar was doing his best to impress on his first start in Paisley, robbing Jeando Fuchs in midfield before almost getting on the end of a dangerous cross into the box as St Mirren grew in confidence.
Brophy went into the book on the 20-minute mark as referee Colin Steven deemed the striker to have gone in rashly on Charlie Mulgrew.
Reid, who captained Scotland's under-17 side over the international break, was holding his own at the base of Saints' midfield trio, with the hosts looking more balanced in the middle of the park than in recent matches.
Pawlett was looking dangerous for United every time he got on the ball. After another marauding run, he picked out McNulty in the box, with Alnwick...
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