Fixtures & Results
by Stuart Gillespie at St Mirren Park
The more things change, the more things stay the same. There may be new players and new coaching staff at Saints, but the old problem of late goals still remains - and not for the first time Dundee United struck late to deny a Buddies win.
However, unlike on previous occasions, there could be few complaints. Saints had taken a second half lead thanks to a debut goal from Sean Lynch, but it was completely against the run of play as United had been well on top after the break. It looked as if Danny Lennon's luck would hold and he would get a debut victory, but with just a couple of minutes remaining Jon Daly smacked the ball past Paul Gallacher from close range to give United a fully deserved point.
Despite that, Lennon can be quite positive with his first game in charge. His team didn't buckle under the huge amount of pressure that was exerted in the second half. Most of his new signings coped well, with the players he brought in from the lower leagues not looking out of place. Paul McGowan was excellent and the returning David van Zanten solid. His players kept possession well, although clear cut chances were few and far between. And, most importantly, his side got a point - the first time they've managed to avoid an opening day defeat since 2006.
United can feel frustrated at not getting the victory. Daly had plenty of chances to score, Craig Conway created plenty of opportunities and David Goodwillie missed a second half sitter. However, considering this was a trip into the unknown for both the Saints support and Arabs boss Peter Houston, he'll perhaps settle for a draw.
Unsurprisingly given the summer it's been, there were a number of Saints players making their débuts and no less than five of the starting line-up were making their first appearance in the black and white. Jure Travner, Darren McGregor, Paul McGowan, Sean Lynch and Gareth Wardlaw all started, with Danny Lennon's first team selection also marking the second coming of David van Zanten. The bench saw another returning Saint in Marc McAusland, with the youngsters and sub keeper Craig Samson being joined by Garry Brady and Lee Mair. Craig Dargo and Paul McQuade both failed to recover from injury, meaning there were no strikers on the bench. Scottish Cup winners, United fielded a strong team featuring star names such as David Goodwillie, Jon Daly and Craig Conway.
It may have been the start of a new era for Saints, but it was one of the old boys who almost got things off to the perfect start inside three minutes. A Steven Robb free-kick was met by John Potter, whose header was on target but was knocked behind by Daly. Saints were putting together some nice moves and seemed willing to get forward but were unable to create anything clear cut, although Wardlaw blazed miles over from miles out as the 15 minute mark approached.
United cup final hero Conway showed he's good at crossing as well as scoring with a good free-kick from the byeline that Darren Dods put just wide before Prince Bauben earned himself a booking for a foul on live wire McGowan. The next free-kick from Conway was even more effective than his first as it was inadvertently flicked on to Garry Kenneth, whose header was clawed away by Paul Gallacher, who was wearing a fetching pink top. As Potter gathered the ball, he was promptly taken down by Daly, who received a booking for his troubles. A few minutes later it was Gallacher who came off worse in a challenge and he had to receive treatment for a head knock before he was able to continue.
Both sides were getting possession in the final third but were unable to create any clear cut chances so players occasionally had to resort to long range shots, Morgaro Gomis producing a similar attempt to Wardlaw's earlier effort. A proper chance then arose at the other end when McGowan worked wonders to send in a cross for Thomson, only for the Saints midfielder to somehow hit his shot back the way. The ball clearly rattled off the arm of Paul Dixon and the home fans shouted for a penalty, but there was little the full-back could have done - especially as he probably wasn't expecting the shot to go backwards! As the Saints fans continued their protests, Bauben sent a long range drive just wide.
United were beginning to take control of things as half-time neared and forced a couple of corners, the second almost bearing fruit when Dods was unmarked but fluffed his header wide before Conway curled a free-kick wide. The former Ayr man was causing all sorts of problems and from another cross McGregor almost chested the ball into his own net, but fortunately for him it flew just wide.
Half-Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dundee United
A cross at the same end after the break almost provided the opening goal. Steven Robb's delivery was mis-hit but there was a clang of the woodwork as it went past the goal as either ball or keeper, Dusan Pernis made contact with the goal frame. A cross from Conway moments later proved far more dangerous after the winger had outpaced van Zanten to the ball, but Goodwillie somehow managed to direct his header off target. From another Conway corner United had another chance, Gomis seeing his shot knocked off the line by Robb.
United were clearly on top now and a foul on Goodwillie earned McGregor a booking. Sadly, as the hour mark approached, a groin injury put paid to Wardlaw's debut. He did pretty well for his first appearance in the SPL and the lack of strikers on the bench meant it was Lee Mair who replaced him. Saints took a few minutes to adjust to their new shape and United had a fairly decent penalty shout turned down when Daly went down at the edge of the six yard box. Under pressure from van Zanten.
It seemed just a matter of time until United finally made the breakthrough, Sean Dillon having a shot deflected behind before Daly got the better of Travner, only to see his shot tipped over by a full stretch Gallacher. van Zanten was then booked for hand ball as he tried to bring it under control, perhaps harsh as it didn't seem deliberate.
A rare Saints attack saw Hugh Murray and van Zanten exchange passes before van Zanten's cross was knocked behind. The corner was only cleared as far as Murray who laid it off to Lynch, who had a go with a shot from just outside the 'D'. The ball didn't seem to have much pace, but that didn't matter as it was miles out of the reach of the stranded Pernis and sailed into the top corner to give Saints an undeserved lead and the former Falkirk man his first senior goal. United boss Peter Houston responded immediately, replacing Scott Robertson with Jennison Myrie Williams.
Understandably United began to put even more pressure on the Saints defence and should have equalised with 12 minutes left when Conway sent in a brilliant ball that was missed by McGregor, only for Daly to miss it as well. It was then time for a debut for Saints youngster Ally Love, who replaced Steven Robb. Conway was then withdrawn as United threw on another striker in the form of Danny Cadamarteri. Another run from McGowan saw him pass to Love and while it won Saints a corner, it also earned Kenneth a yellow card after he flattened the on-loan Celtic man.
Sadly, there was to be no fairytale début victory for Lennon. In the final minute, a Gomis cross was diverted by Travner and Daly's luck was finally in as he beat the onrushing Gallacher to the ball and smashed it into the net. It was the least United deserved, and only a superb tackle on Goodwillie by Potter in stoppage time prevented them the chance from taking even more.
So Saints had to settle for a point, but after an hour Buddies fans would probably have grabbed that. In gaining a point, Danny Lennon and co have perhaps made one too. His new look Saints side will not be pushovers and the players signed from the lower leagues can cope in the SPL. It could be an interesting season.
Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Dundee UnitedSt Mirren: Gallacher, van Zanten, Potter, McGregor, Travner, Murray, Thomson, Robb (Love 80), Lynch, Wardlaw (Mair 61), McGowan.
Subs Not Used: McAusland, Brady, McLennan, McLean, Samson (GK).
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Dods, Kenneth, Conway (Cadamarteri 81), Robertson (Myrie-Williams 74), Buaben, Gomis, Daly, Goodwillie.
Subs Not Used: Douglas, Watson, Casalinuovo, Russell, Banks (GK).
Referee: Brian Winter.
Assistant Referee: George Drummond
Assistant Referee: Andy Tait
4th Official: Steve Conroy
Star Saint: He won't be able to play next week, but Paul McGowan made up for that with a fine display. There was a sense of excitement every time he got the ball and he could be a key player in the months ahead.
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