First Team
SQUAD UPDATE | MAY 2024
8th May 2024
Over 300 United fans made the long journey to Gretna on a storm lashed night in wintery conditions. With an upset being tipped by many pundits, United were in a determined mood from the start. Constant pressure saw United storm into an early lead when Robson headed home in under 5 minutes. Three minutes later Kerr powered home a shot from outside the box to make it 0-2.
The strong blustery conditions were causing problems for both sides but United had the advantage of the wind in the first half..
In 20 minutes United went 0-3 ahead after Wilson slotted home a penalty. At this stage United were well in the ascendancy with chances being squandered by Grady and Crawford. Gretna were restricted to hitting on the break but did so quickly when given the opportunity.
In 38minutes another penalty was awarded after Robson was brought down by the keeper but this time Wilson's identical spot kick was well saved. Two minutes later Deuchar grabbed his 25th goal of the season after Bullock had parried the ball away. Instead of being four goals ahead at half time, United now faced an encouraged side in increasingly blustery conditions.
Within a minute of the restart there was real controversy as Gretna were awarded a disputed, if not farcical, penalty. A long ball was hit into the wind into the box and McCracken and Deuchar wrestled for the ball. The referee blew indicating a United foul. As the ball dropped, Skelton rifled it into the net. The Gretna players then celebrated a goal taking the ball to the centre spot. The ref seemed to change his mind and looked intent on following them until it was pointed out to him that he had blown for a foul before the ball was hit. He then ran to the centre spot, retrieved the ball and placed it on the spot for a Gretna penalty! At no time had he ever pointed to the spot but this didn't stop Birch scoring from it.
United then restored their two goal advantage when Crawford scored with a delightful chip.
Gretna now had a strong wind behind them and caused real problems with long balls over the top and a shoot on sight policy. In 60 mins Skelton illustrated this by scoring with a well hit , long range effort.
As the game raged from end to end, United held on and nearly scored another at the end from McCracken. Nerves may have been frayed but United held out in difficult conditions against a team with something to prove.
Read the full match report by Steve Gracie.
The strong blustery conditions were causing problems for both sides but United had the advantage of the wind in the first half..
In 20 minutes United went 0-3 ahead after Wilson slotted home a penalty. At this stage United were well in the ascendancy with chances being squandered by Grady and Crawford. Gretna were restricted to hitting on the break but did so quickly when given the opportunity.
In 38minutes another penalty was awarded after Robson was brought down by the keeper but this time Wilson's identical spot kick was well saved. Two minutes later Deuchar grabbed his 25th goal of the season after Bullock had parried the ball away. Instead of being four goals ahead at half time, United now faced an encouraged side in increasingly blustery conditions.
Within a minute of the restart there was real controversy as Gretna were awarded a disputed, if not farcical, penalty. A long ball was hit into the wind into the box and McCracken and Deuchar wrestled for the ball. The referee blew indicating a United foul. As the ball dropped, Skelton rifled it into the net. The Gretna players then celebrated a goal taking the ball to the centre spot. The ref seemed to change his mind and looked intent on following them until it was pointed out to him that he had blown for a foul before the ball was hit. He then ran to the centre spot, retrieved the ball and placed it on the spot for a Gretna penalty! At no time had he ever pointed to the spot but this didn't stop Birch scoring from it.
United then restored their two goal advantage when Crawford scored with a delightful chip.
Gretna now had a strong wind behind them and caused real problems with long balls over the top and a shoot on sight policy. In 60 mins Skelton illustrated this by scoring with a well hit , long range effort.
As the game raged from end to end, United held on and nearly scored another at the end from McCracken. Nerves may have been frayed but United held out in difficult conditions against a team with something to prove.
Read the full match report by Steve Gracie.
