St Mirren victorious over MK Dons as Stephen Robinson outlines challenge for Fraser Taylor

Daily Record

07-07-2025

The Saints head into their final pre-season game against Airdrie before Premier Sports Cup action this Saturday on the back of a 2-1 win over MK Dons in Spain where Taylor impressed his gaffer
St Mirren head into their final pre-season game on the back of a strong 2-1 win in Spain over MK Dons.
First-half goals from Roland Idowu and Alex Iacovitti saw Stephen Robinson's men finish their warm-weather training camp in Murcia on a high after beating the EFL League Two side.
‌
It was also an opportunity to test several players, with no fewer than 22 men taking to the field in Pinatar Arena.
‌
However, Liam Donnelly and Declan John remained on the sidelines after the Saints boss confirmed they had 'niggles' and opted not to take any risk; Alex Gogic was rested for the duration of the match.
The Saints lined up with a team consisting of Peter Urminsky, Marcus Fraser, Luke Kenny, Alex Iaccovitti, Jayden Richardson, Killian Phillips, Mark O'Hara, Scott Tanser, Conor McMenamin, Jonah Ayunga and Roland Idowu.
A host of changes were made in the second half with Ryan Mullen replacing Urminsky in goals, as well as Oisin Smyth, Billy Hutchison, Callum Penman, Fraser Taylor, Evan Mooney, Carrick McEvoy, Thomas Falconer, Mikael Mandron and James Scott all featuring after the break.
It took just over a minute for the Saints to hit the front, thanks to a well-worked goal from Idowu.
Ayunga rode a challenge from the Dons' defender and worked his way into the box before playing a ball across to the Irishman who tucked it away.
The Saints had another golden opportunity through Ayunga to double their lead, but the Buckinghamshire club's shot-stopper Connal Trueman was quickly off his line and did well to block the shot at the edge of the area.
‌
Ayunga finally found the back of the net, but unfortunately, it was his own when he turned in a dangerous cross from Liam Kelly on 17 minutes as Dons drew level.
However, the Buddies would go back in front just before the interval.
O'Hara's cross-field pass found Conor McMenamin who burst forward before seeing his shot blocked, the ball fell kindly to Ayunga who saw his strike from the edge of the area deflected just over.
‌
Iacovitti met McMenamin's delivery from the resulting corner and he nodded home at the near post.
After a number of changes in the second half for both sides and a few half-chances for each team, the game petered out and saw the Saints head into tomorrow's friendly with Airdrie on the back of a win.
Following the encouraging display, Paisley chief Robinson revealed he is still looking to add to his team, confirming the club is looking to add two new bodies to the squad.
‌
The Northern Irishman also says whilst some of the academy prospects will be going on loan for game time, some might have found their way into the squad due to the size.
'We have a very small squad and we still need to add two [players],' he said after the game on Saturday.
'So, when you are an academy under-18 player at St Mirren, you are never too far away from the first team.
‌
'Some have shown that they need a little bit more. They've had a little flavour and they [now] need to go out on loan and get stronger, their decision-making needs to be quicker.
'But others, you can see the difference in Fraser Taylor after his two years on loan and he is ready to compete for a place in midfield.'
Tomorrow's game against Airdrie will kick off at 7.30pm at the Albert Bartlett Stadium and will be the final friendly before heading into the Premier Sports Cup against Arbroath on Saturday.