First Team
MATCHWORNSHIRT | CHAMPIONS
7th May 2024
Manager Ian McCall was quick to take many positives out of the game against the leading Premiership side tonight. In commenting that United were unfortunate to be a goal down at half time, he also rightly pointed out that we won't meet a team including the likes of Okocha and Henrik Pedersen every week.
Contrary to expectations, the game was played over two halves in conventional terms; not the three half hour sessions as we were initially led to believe. United lined up in a familiar 4-4-2. Bullock, Wilson, Innes, McCracken, Archibald; Kerr, McInnes, Dodds, Robson; McLaren, McIntyre. Bolton fielded a number of trialists at the start of the game, including Jordi Cruyff and Emerson.
Bullock was the first keeper to be tested, making good blocks early on in the game. United countered with a Barry Robson free kick from 20 yards, which went narrowly past, hitting the side netting. In 28 minutes a textbook Mark Wilson free kick was met by Dodds but his angled header went just wide. Four minutes later, good work by Chris Innes prevented Emerson from scoring but in 36 minutes Kevin Nolan made the breakthrough, scoring for Bolton. While United continued to press, Bullock was called upon to make a great reaction save from Emerson just before half time.
In the second half, Samuel replaced an injured Billy Dodds and Bolton introduced a number of star players including Okocha, Campo and, tellingly, Henrik Pedersen. Despite this, United almost equalised 10 minutes after the re-start when a great McIntyre cross was headed onto the bar by Andy McLaren, who then had a second chance but fired the rebound over. Five minutes later, Jaaskelian made a great save at the top corner from a trademark Barry Robson free kick.
As promised, Manager Ian McCall shuffled the pack again, giving a first team debut to Steven Bell and replacing McLaren with Holmes. Conway then replaced McIntyre mid way through the half.
Bolton's big names started to make their presence felt and after Cruyff missed a good chance, Akocha used his strength to push the ball to Kevin Davis to hit home the second goal of the game. Late on in the game, Robson made way for O'Donnell and in the dying minutes, Bullock made another fine save from Pedersen.
Contrary to expectations, the game was played over two halves in conventional terms; not the three half hour sessions as we were initially led to believe. United lined up in a familiar 4-4-2. Bullock, Wilson, Innes, McCracken, Archibald; Kerr, McInnes, Dodds, Robson; McLaren, McIntyre. Bolton fielded a number of trialists at the start of the game, including Jordi Cruyff and Emerson.
Bullock was the first keeper to be tested, making good blocks early on in the game. United countered with a Barry Robson free kick from 20 yards, which went narrowly past, hitting the side netting. In 28 minutes a textbook Mark Wilson free kick was met by Dodds but his angled header went just wide. Four minutes later, good work by Chris Innes prevented Emerson from scoring but in 36 minutes Kevin Nolan made the breakthrough, scoring for Bolton. While United continued to press, Bullock was called upon to make a great reaction save from Emerson just before half time.
In the second half, Samuel replaced an injured Billy Dodds and Bolton introduced a number of star players including Okocha, Campo and, tellingly, Henrik Pedersen. Despite this, United almost equalised 10 minutes after the re-start when a great McIntyre cross was headed onto the bar by Andy McLaren, who then had a second chance but fired the rebound over. Five minutes later, Jaaskelian made a great save at the top corner from a trademark Barry Robson free kick.
As promised, Manager Ian McCall shuffled the pack again, giving a first team debut to Steven Bell and replacing McLaren with Holmes. Conway then replaced McIntyre mid way through the half.
Bolton's big names started to make their presence felt and after Cruyff missed a good chance, Akocha used his strength to push the ball to Kevin Davis to hit home the second goal of the game. Late on in the game, Robson made way for O'Donnell and in the dying minutes, Bullock made another fine save from Pedersen.
