DUFC

YOUNG UNITED SIDE WIN AGAINST BRECHIN

27th July 2004

A young United side that also included Stuart Duff, Andy McLaren and Collin Samuel completed a 2 - 0 pre season win over a full strength Brechin side at Glebe Park. A goal in each half from the very impressive Aaron Conway and young prospect David Robertson gave them victory over their 2nd Division hosts.

United took a grip on the match from the start and really should have opened the scoring in the sixth minute when a great move involving McLaren and Samuel led to Steven Bell shooting wide. Following a period of intense pressure, United took the lead when Andy McLaren pounced on a short passback from David White. He fed Aaron Conway who calmly slipped the ball into the empty net. United continued to press for a second and before the break both Samuel and McLaren were very unfortunate with fine efforts. In the 42nd minute, United really found themselves hard done by, when following a free kick from Andy McLaren, young defender Garry Kenneth saw hit shot rebound from the inside of the post.

The second half started with United boss Ian McCall giving midfield trialist Tom Williamson from Leicester City his chance to impress. It was the home side though that dominated early proceedings with Paul Jarvie twice saving brilliantly from long range efforts by Scott McCulloch. During this period, Chris Templeman also saw a powerful shot strike the bar. Steven Bell did force City keeper Vanderdyl to make a fine save at his back post with a powerful header. Both sides made several changes with United replacing Samuel, McLaren and O'Donnell with David Robertson, Keiron McAleenan and Gregg Burnett. In the 82nd minute, Robertson put the game beyond Brechin when from a long through ball he beat the offside trap and drilled the ball low past Vanderdyl. The game was played out with the home side pressing for a consolation goal but with Paul Jarvie in great form the Tangerines made the short journey home with a clean sheet under their belts.

A very worthwhile friendly that ended with a good victory for Ian McCall's young side. In Graeme Holmes, Aaron Conway and Paul Jarvie the future looks very promising.

Teams:

Brechin City : Vanderdyl, McNicol, McCulloch, Smith, White, Jackson, Byers (Johnston), McLeish (Winters), Templeman, Gibson (Ritchie), King (Mitchell)

Subs : Deas, Hay

Dundee United : Jarvie, Abbott, Easton, Duff (Trialist - Williamson), Kenneth, Holmes, McLaren (Burnett), Bell, Samuel (Robertson), O'Donnell (McAleenan), Conway

Subs: Trialist, Andreoni (GK)

Referee - Alan Freeland