17 September 2004
This afternoon’s Under-19 match against an unbeaten Motherwell side took on a familiar pattern as United dominated but were unable to convert opportunities into goals.
Coach Tony Docherty lined up his young players in a 4-4-2 formation with Scotland Under-19 keeper Euan McLean in goal behind a back four of Stuart Abbot, Garry Kenneth, Ross Gardiner and William Easton. In midfield Barry Callaghan was joined by David Robertson, Gregg Burnett and Kieran McAleenan with Nicky McDonald and Joe Andrew up front.
United opened against a very strong wind but were the better side and created a number of chances. Kenneth hit the bar with a close range effort and of a notable number of attempts on goal Andrew and Callaghan came closest. The young Tangerines played exceptionally well, giving one of their best performances of the season so far. They still could not find the net however and the sides went in at the break goalless.
After the interval United continued to look the more likely side and with the wind behind them they took the game to the home side, putting the hosts under some pressure. It was a similar pattern to the first half with Andrew having the best of a number of chances but United could not get the goal their play deserved. Against the run of play, Motherwell went ahead with a fluke goal, a cross that dipped suddenly over the keeper and into the net. Slightly stunned by this, within three minutes United conceded a second, leaving a hard task to get back into the game. Andrew pulled one back but try as they might United could not get a second and the match ended with a win for the home side 2-1.
Tony Docherty was disappointed after the match and said, “It might sound like the same old song, but we really created more than enough chances to win this game. The first half performance was the best I have seen from these lads with some excellent creative play but we just couldn’t find the goal. On the positive side there was a tremendous effort and commitment from the players and we will continue to work hard in training and hopefully start getting the results I feel our play merits.
Read the full match report by Steve Gracie.
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