MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
An excellent late fight back, capped by a marvellous Jim McIntyre strike, saw United deservedly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - despite Lady Luck once more acting as a twelfth man for the opposition.
There were three changes to United's starting line-up from the mid-week win over Stranraer. Jim McIntyre was promoted from the bench to join Jason Scotland in attack. Billy Dodds was handed a starting spot in the centre of midfield, where he partnered new signing Grant Brebner. Duff, Grady and McLaren all dropped to the bench. SPL newcomers Inverness Caley brought Roy McBain and Richard Hart back into their starting line-up in place of Hislop and Duncan, following their midweek triumph over Ross County at Dingwall.
The first half was an even contest, but while both sides worked hard, goalkeepers were rarely threatened and possession was often surrendered in the final third. Caley started brightly, and Juanjo set up Bayne with an early chance, but his 20-yard volley was well over. At the other end United were continually frustrated by the Inverness offside trap. The home side's best chance of the half came after 18 minutes. Wilson played a lovely ball inside for McIntyre, and his clever pass to release Scotland into the box breached the offside trap. Scotland fired a powerful low shot towards the far post, but with the crowd already on their feet, Mark Brown pulled off a superb fingertip save. Shortly after, Mark Wilson collected a poor Golabek clearance and cut inside, however his shot from the edge of the box was bravely charged down by McCaffrey. Juanjo caused United's back four problems and a one touch interchange with Bayne set up Barry Wilson whose excellent 20 yard shot was brilliantly pushed behind for a corner by Bullock, diving high to his right. Then the best move of the half with Wilson, Brebner and Archibald all involved saw McIntyre released to the right of the Caley box. His cross was fed back to Dodds, but the striker mishit his shot high and wide. The game seemed to be petering out towards half time but at the death Mark Brown had to tip a dangerous Barry Robson cross behind with McIntyre ready to score.
Half time, 0 v 0, and possibly a fair reflection on the first half.
There were no changes in personnel at half time - but United moved up a gear in their search for the opener. A lovely left-foot Wilson cross put Dodds in behind the Caley defence, and with the ball sitting up nicely he lobbed the onrushing Brown - but cleared the bar as well. Brebner then released Dodds on the left of the box. His low driven cut back almost set up Scotland, but Brown dived bravely at his feet to snuff out the danger. Scotland then set up Brebner at the edge of the box, and the ex-Hibs man came within inches of a debut goal, the ball scraping past Brown's left hand post with the keeper well beaten. But it was the visitors who took a shock 59th minute lead. A fine chipped through pass from Tokely put Juanjo in the clear, albeit with a suspicion of offside. He rounded the advancing Bullock before going to ground after what must have been the slightest of touches from the big keeper - but it was enough to have referee Rowbotham pointing to the spot. Barry Wilson converted calmly. Caley's best spell then followed, and Wilson should have had his second minutes later but he sliced wide from 15 yards with only Bullock to beat. United fought back, but for a long time it did not look like it was going to be their day. Mark Brown made his first mistake flapping at a Robson corner. With the goalkeeper stranded the ball fell for Archibald but his net-bound shot deflected cruelly off the back of McCracken for a goal kick. However, the equaliser was on its way - seventy-one minutes in, Brown made another superb stop from Dodds, but Innes was on hand to smash home from close range. Both managers adjusted their forward lines to look for the winner, with Grady replacing Scotland for United, and Prunty coming on for Juanjo to freshen up Caley's attack. But it was McIntyre who was to make the difference. With barely five minutes left on the clock the striker took a Brebner pass to feet, back to goal, with defenders in close attendance. In a split second he swivelled round to send a rasping left foot drive low past Brown and sent the home crowd into raptures. There was no way back for Caley now: full-time 2 v 1, and a deserved three points for United.
Man of the Match - Grant Brebner: slotted into midfield as if he had been at the Club for years. Tackled hard, passed well and was always looking for the ball.
United: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Robson, Dodds (McLaren 83) (c), Scotland (Grady 77), Innes. Subs not used: Hirschfeld, McInnes, Duff, Bell, Kenneth.
Inverness: Brown, Tokely, Golabek (c), McCaffrey, McBain (Hislop 87), Wilson, Bayne, Hart, Juanjo (Prunty 82), Munro, Keogh. Subs not used: Fraser, Dods, Duncan, Thomson, Black.
Referee: J Rowbotham.
Attendance: 6017
Read the full Match Report.
There were three changes to United's starting line-up from the mid-week win over Stranraer. Jim McIntyre was promoted from the bench to join Jason Scotland in attack. Billy Dodds was handed a starting spot in the centre of midfield, where he partnered new signing Grant Brebner. Duff, Grady and McLaren all dropped to the bench. SPL newcomers Inverness Caley brought Roy McBain and Richard Hart back into their starting line-up in place of Hislop and Duncan, following their midweek triumph over Ross County at Dingwall.
The first half was an even contest, but while both sides worked hard, goalkeepers were rarely threatened and possession was often surrendered in the final third. Caley started brightly, and Juanjo set up Bayne with an early chance, but his 20-yard volley was well over. At the other end United were continually frustrated by the Inverness offside trap. The home side's best chance of the half came after 18 minutes. Wilson played a lovely ball inside for McIntyre, and his clever pass to release Scotland into the box breached the offside trap. Scotland fired a powerful low shot towards the far post, but with the crowd already on their feet, Mark Brown pulled off a superb fingertip save. Shortly after, Mark Wilson collected a poor Golabek clearance and cut inside, however his shot from the edge of the box was bravely charged down by McCaffrey. Juanjo caused United's back four problems and a one touch interchange with Bayne set up Barry Wilson whose excellent 20 yard shot was brilliantly pushed behind for a corner by Bullock, diving high to his right. Then the best move of the half with Wilson, Brebner and Archibald all involved saw McIntyre released to the right of the Caley box. His cross was fed back to Dodds, but the striker mishit his shot high and wide. The game seemed to be petering out towards half time but at the death Mark Brown had to tip a dangerous Barry Robson cross behind with McIntyre ready to score.
Half time, 0 v 0, and possibly a fair reflection on the first half.
There were no changes in personnel at half time - but United moved up a gear in their search for the opener. A lovely left-foot Wilson cross put Dodds in behind the Caley defence, and with the ball sitting up nicely he lobbed the onrushing Brown - but cleared the bar as well. Brebner then released Dodds on the left of the box. His low driven cut back almost set up Scotland, but Brown dived bravely at his feet to snuff out the danger. Scotland then set up Brebner at the edge of the box, and the ex-Hibs man came within inches of a debut goal, the ball scraping past Brown's left hand post with the keeper well beaten. But it was the visitors who took a shock 59th minute lead. A fine chipped through pass from Tokely put Juanjo in the clear, albeit with a suspicion of offside. He rounded the advancing Bullock before going to ground after what must have been the slightest of touches from the big keeper - but it was enough to have referee Rowbotham pointing to the spot. Barry Wilson converted calmly. Caley's best spell then followed, and Wilson should have had his second minutes later but he sliced wide from 15 yards with only Bullock to beat. United fought back, but for a long time it did not look like it was going to be their day. Mark Brown made his first mistake flapping at a Robson corner. With the goalkeeper stranded the ball fell for Archibald but his net-bound shot deflected cruelly off the back of McCracken for a goal kick. However, the equaliser was on its way - seventy-one minutes in, Brown made another superb stop from Dodds, but Innes was on hand to smash home from close range. Both managers adjusted their forward lines to look for the winner, with Grady replacing Scotland for United, and Prunty coming on for Juanjo to freshen up Caley's attack. But it was McIntyre who was to make the difference. With barely five minutes left on the clock the striker took a Brebner pass to feet, back to goal, with defenders in close attendance. In a split second he swivelled round to send a rasping left foot drive low past Brown and sent the home crowd into raptures. There was no way back for Caley now: full-time 2 v 1, and a deserved three points for United.
Man of the Match - Grant Brebner: slotted into midfield as if he had been at the Club for years. Tackled hard, passed well and was always looking for the ball.
United: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Robson, Dodds (McLaren 83) (c), Scotland (Grady 77), Innes. Subs not used: Hirschfeld, McInnes, Duff, Bell, Kenneth.
Inverness: Brown, Tokely, Golabek (c), McCaffrey, McBain (Hislop 87), Wilson, Bayne, Hart, Juanjo (Prunty 82), Munro, Keogh. Subs not used: Fraser, Dods, Duncan, Thomson, Black.
Referee: J Rowbotham.
Attendance: 6017
Read the full Match Report.
