HamiltonhowlerhandsH Saintsallthreepoints
st mirren 2 DUNDEE 1
Alan Stubbs admitted St Mirren were fortunate to get off to a winning start in the Premiership.
The Buddies got the victory thanks to a horrible late blunder by Dundee goalie Jack Hamilton.
While the home supporters drifted away singing the praises of their favourites, Stubbs delivered a cold, hard analysis of the match.
He said: “It’s a happy start, but I wouldn’t say perfect. It wasn’t the way I like to play at times. It was expansive and a great game of football for the neutrals.
“Against teams who’ll hope to be higher up the table, we’d have been punished.
“I would have liked a little more discipline and substance.
“Having said that, there was a period in the second half when it would have been easy for the players to go under.
“They didn’t and kept going forward. That was very pleasing.
“We were fortunate in how we got the winner and I feel for their keeper. Neil Mccann will probably feel hard done-by, but I’m delighted we capitalised on the mistake.
“It made it a great occasion for the fans on the day when we got the Championship title flag.
“We’re looking to add strength in depth to squad and I’m hopeful there will be some movement this week.”
It looked like a share of the points as the game drew to a close and the St Mirren supporters would have been quite happy with that.
Hamilton then changed the outcome by inexplicably dwelling on the ball after getting it back from Cammy Kerr.
Flynn whipped it off his toes and squared it for Mullen to score the winner and his second.
It was an error the former Hearts goalie will take a while to shake off.
St Mirren were officially recognised for winning the Championship before kick-off, but the players didn’t hang around to reflect on a previous campaign.
They flew out the traps and were quickly ahead when Mullen headed home a Paul Mcginn cross.
Everything was quickfire about the game – it even started five minutes early for no apparent reason.
Although they only held the lead for three minutes, it was the perfect start for the Saints.
They’re continuing to look for a big-name striker, but Danny Mullen, previously untried at Premiership level, took his goal really well.
Elton Ngwatala’s equaliser was a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty box.
It was the Frenchman’s first goal for the Dark Blues and he’ll become a firm favourite if he continues to strike the ball as sweetly as that.
Dundee gave a far more aggressive display after the break, but couldn’t find a second goal.
Moussa and Mendy both failed to connect from close range before a failure to convert from the penalty spot.
Samson was yellow-carded for taking down Mendy, but made up for that with a fine save from Moussa’s kick.
Danny Mullen hopes his goals, although the second was incredibly easy, will help secure his future in the St Mirren side.
He said: “I think I’ve a got a point to prove. I’ve always felt I belonged in this league and can do it at this level.
“I’ve worked my way up, I’m here now and I hope to kick on from these two goals.”
Ultimately, it was a tale of two keepers.
While Samson was taking the acclaim of the home fans at time up, Jack Hamilton was disconsolate. st mirren:
(4-1-3-2) Samson 8; P Mcginn 6, Baird 7, Kpekawa 7, Coulson 7; S Mcginn 6; Willock 7, Smith 7 (Mcshane 86, 5), Magennis 6 (Kellermann 90, 5); Mullen 8, Stewart 6 (Flynn 77, 6). Unused subs – Rogers (Gk), Heaton, Cooke, King. DUNDEE:
(4-1-3-2) Hamilton 5; Curran 6, Caulker 7, Meekings 6, Kerr 6; Spence 7; Mcgowan 6 (Wighton 86, 5), Ngwatala 7, Madianga 6; Moussa 6, Mendy 6. Unused subs – Parish (Gk), Ralph, Kusunga, Nabi, Henvey, Moore.
match stats
star MAN
got both St Mirren goals on his top-flight debut and sent a clear message that he’s capable of hitting the net at this level
DANNY MULLEN