DUFC

DUNDEE UNITED 1 BLACKPOOL 2

28th July 2004

Dundee United played host to Blackpool tonight at Tannadice in a battle of the tangerines. United were wearing their new away kit and the visitors from down south were dressed in tangerine tops and black shorts.

United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Stuart Duff deputising at centre half due to injuries. Jason Scotland lined up on the right hand side of midfield in an attacking line-up. A familiar face in the Blackpool team was number 10, Keigan Parker, and it was him who put the seasiders ahead in the tenth minute. There was no more scoring in an evenly contested first half although Jason Scotland and Jim McIntyre both had good efforts for United.

There was more urgency to United's play in the second half and the introduction of Billy Dodds and Collin Samuel, on for James Grady and Stuart Duff, gave the team a more lively appearance. A great run from Barry Robson in the 58th minute was ended unfairly on the edge of the box. From the resulting free kick Mark Wilson curled the ball into the keeper's left hand corner. Within 2 minutes United were behind again. A goal mouth scramble resulted in Murphy knocking home from close range despite a valiant effort from Chris Innes to stop him. This spurred United on, yet despite good efforts from O'Donnell, Dodds and Scotland and a cracking 30-yard strike from Mcinnes which brought out a spectacular save from the Blackpool goalkeeper, the seasiders' goal remained intact.

Over the piece United will feel hard done by the defeat. There well excellent performances by Mark Wilson, Aaron Conway and Mark Kerr. The game was played at a good pace and the squad look as if they are almost ready for the kick-off in ten days time. Credit should also go to our visitors from England who played fairly and openly and helped to create a good spectacle for the fans.

Please click here for the full match report.