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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ben Ramage

Greg Kiltie and Ethan Sutherland shine in comfortable St Mirren pre-season win against Dumbarton

Greg Kiltie inspired his Buddies from the middle of the park as St Mirren cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Dumbarton.

In the Saints first pre-season friendly on home soil after a week away in Belfast, the Paisley side were in total control from the off with midfielder Kiltie slotting home twice to put Stephen Robinson's side ahead.

Ryan Strain slotted home a third just before half-time from a tight angle, with St Mirren passing up several chances in the second half to add more gloss to the scoreline - not least Toyosi Olusanya who failed to convert a gilt-edged opportunity from a couple of feet out.

Nevertheless it was another fruitful outing for the Saints, who continue to gear up for their League Cup opener against Montrose next weekend. Before that they take on Ayr United in a behind-closed-doors clash today, with a highly-anticipated trip to rivals Morton coming up this Saturday.

As well as Kiltie and Strain, youngster Ethan Sutherland looked particularly sharp down the left flank - with playmaker Caolan Boyd-Munce growing into the game after an indifferent start.

The Saints still looked very light up front, with Robinson keen to bring in at least one more striker in the coming weeks.

The Buddies dominated proceedings early on against their League Two opponents. Alex Greive led the line and sliced a decent opportunity wide after collecting a Zach Hemming long ball.

Kiltie saw a decent effort saved after picking up a clever knock down from Olusanya, before firing wide of the left post again.

It was third time lucky for the playmaker as he opened the scoring just after the quarter-hour mark. While Kiltie's first effort was blocked, he picked up the loose ball before firing home to break the deadlock.

Olusanya slotted home Strain's pass just a few minutes later to double the lead, but unfortunately for the Saints fans the linesman had his flag up.

Greive took a very heavy knock from Dumbarton skipper Mark Durnan as the home side tried to grab a foothold in the game.

Skipper Mark O'Hara hit the side netting after collecting an Olusanya pass.

It wasn't long before the pressure told again with Kiltie grabbing his second, this time slotting home an excellent cross from Strain.

Strain was looking particularly sharp down the right wing and put the result to bed just before the break.

A trademark driving run down the wing saw him tearing down on goal, with the Aussie squeezing the ball underneath Sons keeper Harry Broun at the near post.

The Buddies returned from the break unchanged, with boss Robinson keen to get plenty of minutes in his players' legs.

After an uneventful 15 minute spell, a clever Boyd-Munce clever through ball set Olusanya through on goal. He was rashly brought down by Durnan, who picked up a yellow card for his troubles.

From the resulting promising free-kick, Strain's curling effort dipped onto the top of the crossbar.

Olusanya should have made it four when he latched onto a cross, but he somehow cleared the ball away from danger despite being just two yards out.

There was a lengthy break in play late on as a Dumbarton player received treatment for a serious injury - eventually being stretchered off.

There was a quadruple change for St Mirren when play did eventually restart, with Ryan Flynn, Fraser Taylor, Lewis Jamieson and Aiden Gilmarton on for Olusanya, O'Hara, Greive and Kiltie.

Jamieson had the perfect opportunity to make an instant impact when he raced on to Ethan Sutherland's pinpoint cross. The striker headed into the side netting with the goal at his mercy.

Sutherland, who impressed throughout, almost had a goal his performance merited when he fired inches wide of the left post from the edge of the box.

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