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LOYALTY PERIOD EXTENDED
29th April 2024
Dundee United won the inaugural City of Discovery Cup this afternoon, coming from a goal behind to defeat Sheffield Wednesday in a game in which the English side had looked more threatening for the most part. Earlier in the day, Wolves thumped Dundee 4-0 to take third place in the tournament.
Gordon Chisholm radically overhauled the starting eleven for today's final, with all eleven playing yesterday rested ahead of the start of the SPL season next Saturday, and chose a side made up of first team fringe players and youngsters with trialist Swedish goalkeeper Rami Shaaban between the posts. The side was captained by Assistant Manager Billy Dodds, who played as sweeper.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock also rang the changes against his former side, with only Graham Coughlan, Richie Partridge, Lee Peacock and Glenn Whelan retaining starting jerseys from the Owls' semi-final penalty win against Wolves.
With both teams featuring players with only limited first team experience for their current clubs, the first half was a relatively quiet one and Wednesday's side - with far more league experience behind them - had by far the best of possession and territorial play.
Chances were few and far between in the first half though, and other than a miss by Wednesday captain Glenn Whelan after 18 minutes, there was no goalmouth action until the 37th minute, when Wednesday opened the scoring.
Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Vasos put in a deep cross from the left which dipped over Dodds, and Lee Peacock was able to control and smash his shot into the roof of the net from 8 yards.
Burton O'Brien and Whelan both had chances to double the lead in the following minutes, while the closest United came was from the second of two late corners, when first Samuel had a shot blocked, and then Kenneth headed over.
Half Time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 0 Dundee United
The second half began largely in the same vein with Wednesday dominating possession. However, United sprang into action in the 56th minute, when Samuel found himself one on one with goalkeeper Adamson, who managed to block the Trinidad international's shot. The ball was only half-cleared though, and fell to Barry Callaghan, who shot just over.
That posed a warning to the Wednesday rearguard, but a through ball from midfield again allowed United to break the offside trap. This time Grady broke free, and clipped the ball to Adamson's right. There was some doubt as to whether the shot was going to go in or hit the post, but a lunge by Wednesday full back Patrick Collins took the ball behind the line.
Both trialists were central to the action on 72 minutes, when Richie Partridge's long range effort was well tipped wide by Rami Shaaban.
Chris Brunt had a good chance to put Wednesday back in front on 82 minutes, but he sent his shot wide left. United also came close two minutes later, when a long free kick into the Owls' box fell to David Goodwillie, who showed good composure before placing a shot low towards the far corner, but Adamson turned it behind.
However, the resultant corner produced the winner for the Tangerines. Samuel played an outswinging corner into the box looking for Kenneth, but Lee headed clear. The ball was played back in though, and Kenneth was found unmarked, with the big central defender powering a shot low into the far corner.
MacLean headed over for Wednesday as they chased a late equaliser, but time ran out to give United another trophy win at Dens Park.
Full Time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 2 Dundee United
Man of the Match: Garry Kenneth. Lee Peacock had been a thorn in the side for Wolves in the semi-final, but his physical presence was handled well by Kenneth in today's final. Add to that a sweet finish for the eventual Cup winner, and the young central defender can be proud of his day's work.
Teams:
Sheffield Wednesday: Adamson, Collins (Symek 73), Coughlan (Brunt 73), Diallo (Lee 46), Hills, Partridge, Adams (McAllister 66), Whelan, Vasos (Spurr 46), O'Brien, Peacock (MacLean 46).
Subs Not Used: Rocastle.
Dundee United: Trialist [Shaaban], Kenneth, Dodds, Gardiner, Callaghan (Goodwillie 77), Robertson, Cameron, Holmes, Easton (Abott 46), Grady, Samuel.
Subs Not Used: McLean (GK), McAleenan, Burnett, Archibald, Duff.
Referee: Calum Murray
Attendance: 5,081
Click here to read the full match report by Scott Simpson.
Gordon Chisholm radically overhauled the starting eleven for today's final, with all eleven playing yesterday rested ahead of the start of the SPL season next Saturday, and chose a side made up of first team fringe players and youngsters with trialist Swedish goalkeeper Rami Shaaban between the posts. The side was captained by Assistant Manager Billy Dodds, who played as sweeper.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock also rang the changes against his former side, with only Graham Coughlan, Richie Partridge, Lee Peacock and Glenn Whelan retaining starting jerseys from the Owls' semi-final penalty win against Wolves.
With both teams featuring players with only limited first team experience for their current clubs, the first half was a relatively quiet one and Wednesday's side - with far more league experience behind them - had by far the best of possession and territorial play.
Chances were few and far between in the first half though, and other than a miss by Wednesday captain Glenn Whelan after 18 minutes, there was no goalmouth action until the 37th minute, when Wednesday opened the scoring.
Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Vasos put in a deep cross from the left which dipped over Dodds, and Lee Peacock was able to control and smash his shot into the roof of the net from 8 yards.
Burton O'Brien and Whelan both had chances to double the lead in the following minutes, while the closest United came was from the second of two late corners, when first Samuel had a shot blocked, and then Kenneth headed over.
Half Time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 0 Dundee United
The second half began largely in the same vein with Wednesday dominating possession. However, United sprang into action in the 56th minute, when Samuel found himself one on one with goalkeeper Adamson, who managed to block the Trinidad international's shot. The ball was only half-cleared though, and fell to Barry Callaghan, who shot just over.
That posed a warning to the Wednesday rearguard, but a through ball from midfield again allowed United to break the offside trap. This time Grady broke free, and clipped the ball to Adamson's right. There was some doubt as to whether the shot was going to go in or hit the post, but a lunge by Wednesday full back Patrick Collins took the ball behind the line.
Both trialists were central to the action on 72 minutes, when Richie Partridge's long range effort was well tipped wide by Rami Shaaban.
Chris Brunt had a good chance to put Wednesday back in front on 82 minutes, but he sent his shot wide left. United also came close two minutes later, when a long free kick into the Owls' box fell to David Goodwillie, who showed good composure before placing a shot low towards the far corner, but Adamson turned it behind.
However, the resultant corner produced the winner for the Tangerines. Samuel played an outswinging corner into the box looking for Kenneth, but Lee headed clear. The ball was played back in though, and Kenneth was found unmarked, with the big central defender powering a shot low into the far corner.
MacLean headed over for Wednesday as they chased a late equaliser, but time ran out to give United another trophy win at Dens Park.
Full Time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 2 Dundee United
Man of the Match: Garry Kenneth. Lee Peacock had been a thorn in the side for Wolves in the semi-final, but his physical presence was handled well by Kenneth in today's final. Add to that a sweet finish for the eventual Cup winner, and the young central defender can be proud of his day's work.
Teams:
Sheffield Wednesday: Adamson, Collins (Symek 73), Coughlan (Brunt 73), Diallo (Lee 46), Hills, Partridge, Adams (McAllister 66), Whelan, Vasos (Spurr 46), O'Brien, Peacock (MacLean 46).
Subs Not Used: Rocastle.
Dundee United: Trialist [Shaaban], Kenneth, Dodds, Gardiner, Callaghan (Goodwillie 77), Robertson, Cameron, Holmes, Easton (Abott 46), Grady, Samuel.
Subs Not Used: McLean (GK), McAleenan, Burnett, Archibald, Duff.
Referee: Calum Murray
Attendance: 5,081
Click here to read the full match report by Scott Simpson.
