Robinson’s delight as Saints’ new man shines
Finlayson (19) ST MIRREN 2 Grieve (20), Ayunga (37)
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson hailed new striker Jonah Ayunga who scored in the Saints’ 2-1 win over Linfield at Windsor Park yesterday.
The 25-year-old former Brighton hitman was the standout in the second of two pre-season friendlies in Robinson’s native Northern Ireland, having beaten Crusaders 3-0 last Monday night.
Ayunga set strike partner Alex Grieve up to open from close range after just two minutes and after Linfield equalised through Daniel Finlayson, showed quick feet and a keen eye for goal eight minutes before the break.
After suffering a broken leg at Brighton, Ayunga dropped to lower leagues and followed Robinson from the Mazuma Stadium to St Mirren Park four weeks ago.
“Jonah’s a boy I signed at Morecambe, and I’m amazed they let him go for free because for me he’s got a big move in him”, said Robinson.
“He’s 6ft4in, uses both feet, scored one with his right foot and hit the crossbar with his left, he can run all day and he can play anywhere in the front three.
“I thought he was excellent, Alex as well. Obviously Jonah made the first goal for Alex and then a bit of individual stuff for the second.
“He’s a boy I feel if he keeps developing then we’ve got a real chance of making money out of him.
“Bear in mind we’ve still got Curtis Main, Eamonn Brophy and Toyosi Olusanya to come back as well.
“For sixty minutes I thought it was a good game, a good test. We looked tired, if we are honest. We’ve worked the players very, very hard this wee
“We started Murray Campbell, 15 years of age and a heck of a prospect and that’s what we are about, trying to develop boys and he’s one of many we believe will come through in the coming years.”
“We can play a lot better, but it was a good test and good preparation for Linfield going into Europe this week, and we wish them well in that.
“Unfortunately our pre-season is coming to an end as we play Arbroath in the League Cup in six days and we have to be ready for that.”
LIVINGSTON 0 MORTON 3
Livi manager David Martindale is sweating over a potential striking crisis after a costly friendly loss to Morton.
With less than a week to go before the Lions’ Premier Sports Cup opener away to Albion Rovers, Martindale has a selection headache in attack.
Bruce Anderson, last season’s top scorer, was forced to pull out in the warm-up with a thigh problem.
Jack Hamilton, his sub in the starting line-up, damaged his ankle just 20 minutes in and left Almondvale wearing a protective boot.
Esma Goncalves replaced Hamilton but lasted just 50 minutes.
Ayo Obileye misplaced a passback to keeper Max Stryjek after just six minutes to gift Ton the lead.
And two mistakes from keeper Max Stryjek in the final five minutes saw substitute Michael Garrity seal victory for the Cappielow visitors.
Morton manager Dougie Imrie, whose side open their cup campaign at home to Falkirk, said: “It was a good performance overall and I’m pleased to win the game.”