14 September 2004
Tony Docherty took Dundee United’s reserve side to Links Park, Montrose, this afternoon to face Aberdeen but, despite creating more chances than the home side, United lost 0-2.
United lined up in the usual 4-4-2 formation with Lars Hirschfeld in goal behind a back four of Stuart Duff, Garry Kenneth, Ross Gardiner and William Easton. Alongside Andy McLaren, Stephen O’Donnell and Steven Bell, new arrival Karim Kerkar made his first appearance for the Club in midfield whilst up front the Trinidadian pairing of Collin Samuel and Jason Scotland spearheaded the attack.
The first half saw United create a number of goal scoring opportunities but it was Aberdeen who took the lead against the run of play from the penalty spot with around half an hour gone. United had more chances but were unable to make the best of them and turned around after the break with a one-goal deficit. Kerkar played the entire first half and looked comfortable on the ball and displayed some of the talent that brought him to the attention at Clyde. He was taken off at half time and replaced by David Robertson.
The second period was very much a repeat of the first with Aberdeen capitalising on some slack United defending to grab a second goal with around fifteen minutes left. United continued to play the better football without converting any of a number of chances. Other second half substitutes were Stuart Abbot for O’Donnell and Barry Callaghan for Bell.
After the match a disappointed Tony Docherty said “It was another game where we really should have won as we were well in control for most of the time but we failed to take our chances and paid the price with the loss of a goal in each half. It was a disappointing afternoon with nothing to show for all the effort that the players put in but there are some positives to take from the game, particularly the performance of Kerkar who showed some nice touches.”
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