Richard Odada's Dundee United get one over Harambee Stars teammate Jonah Ayunga's St. Mirren in epic Scottish top flight encounter.
Richard Odada’s Dundee United triumphed 2-0 over Jonah Ayunga’s St. Mirren in a lively Scottish Premiership encounter on Saturday evening.
Despite both Kenyan players being named in their respective matchday squads, neither made a significant impact, with Odada remaining an unused substitute and Ayunga unable to alter the game during his 18-minute cameo.
Defenders Kevin Holt and Emmanuel Adegboyega stole the spotlight for the home side, delivering the goals that propelled Dundee United to fourth place in the league table, level on points with Rangers. Holt converted a penalty and later saw another attempt saved, while Adegboyega sealed the victory with a late strike.
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St. Mirren, on the other hand, suffered their first loss in five matches, ending a four-game unbeaten streak. Their woes were compounded by Marcus Fraser’s red card, which saw them finish the game with 10 men.
Dundee United created their first real chance in the eighth minute when Kevin Holt’s long pass found Sam Dalby down the left. However, Dalby, on loan from Wrexham, squandered the opportunity by blasting the ball over the crossbar.
The Terrors nearly broke the deadlock when Will Ferry combined with Dalby to set up a fierce strike that rattled the post.
St. Mirren had opportunities to respond, with Scott Tanser’s shot blocked by Declan Gallagher and Olutoyosi Olusanya’s goal-bound effort denied by a last-ditch intervention from Holt.
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The game turned decisively in Dundee United’s favor in the 76th minute. After a VAR review, Marcus Fraser was penalized for a foul on Holt in the box. Holt confidently dispatched the resulting penalty, sending St. Mirren goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe the wrong way.
Fraser’s troubles deepened when he pulled down substitute Louis Moult, leading to a second VAR intervention. His initial yellow card was upgraded to a red, leaving St. Mirren further disadvantaged.
Although Holt’s second penalty was brilliantly saved by Balcombe, the reprieve was short-lived. From the ensuing corner in stoppage time, Emmanuel Adegboyega stabbed home the decisive second goal to ensure Dundee United’s victory.
The win consolidates Dundee United’s strong position in the league, while St. Mirren will need to regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table. Both teams will look to their next fixtures to build momentum, with Odada and Ayunga aiming to play more prominent roles for their sides.