DUFC

LIVINGSTON 1 UNITED 0

10th December 2005

There was little festive cheer for Arabs today as United lost at Livingston despite dominating the game for long periods. The hosts were without a victory at home all season but United failed to capitalise on their superior possession and will rue the chances that were missed.

United started well with Collin Samuel's pace looking as if it would trouble the home defence all day. Derek Stillie had to be on his toes to punch away a wicked inswinging corner whilst he was under pressure. United were passing the ball well at the start of the game and good interplay in midfield was often let down by a poor final ball into the box which meant that Ludovic Roy in the home goal wasn't called into action.

Lee Miller tried his luck with a header which went over the bar and a shot which was deflected. David Fernandez was being singled out for a bit of rough treatment by his former employers and had to leave the field for treatment after being felled. Lee Miller was also the victim of some meaty challenges as the home side attempted to physically dominate the United strikeforce. Tierney was then booked for a scything tackle on Fernandez as the United man broke free on the left.

Samuel continued to be the most obvious threat to Livi and a great turn of pace saw the Trinidadian run free of his marker but sadly his cross aimed at Barry Robson was cut out. United were being frustrated and nothing seemed to be working for them.

As the break approached, Livi took the lead with a goal, totally against the run of play. A throw-in was controlled by Dalglish and played into the path of Snodgrass who carried the ball infield, he went unchallenged before lashing an unstoppable left foot shot past Stillie.

United went in at half time behind which was hardly deserved. It was unfortunate that the possession that they had enjoyed had not translated itself into more clear cut chances or a goal.

The start of the second half didn't bode well for United with Stillie and McCracken getting mixed up with each other and giving away a corner needlessly. The pattern of play in the first half was soon replicated with Wilson and Duff pushing forward on the right and putting good crosses in. Alan Archibald had a shot charged down as United looked to equalise and get the scoreline to reflect the balance of play. Gordon Chisholm attempted to change things and replaced Fernandez with McIntyre.

Jim's impact was instant - he caught a Livi player in a tackle, from the reaction of the Livi players, they seemed to think he had been guilty of stamping. A short time after that incident, the United man was involved in another innocuous foul but the Livi reaction saw the striker booked.

Barry Robson was next to try his luck but his header from McIntyre's cross went over. United continued to dominate and McIntyre and Archibald both had chances but neither had any luck. Livi seemed content to sit in and defend relying on the pace of Dalglish as their outlet up front.

Barry Robson had a shot saved by Roy as Livi continued to ride their luck. Collin Samuel should have done better with a header when a free kick was knocked into his path. Sammy was trying everything to get a goal and saw a shot flash wide after a great turn away from his marker. Lee Miller had a header on target but Roy saved well. McIntyre was next in line to be frustrated; firstly he just couldn't reach a Miller knock-down then seemed to be fouled as he went through on goal but the referee who had infuriated both sets of fans all afternoon gave nothing.

Livi were happy to see time run out and secure a home win that may have been overdue but was certainly undeserved.

Man of the Match: Barry Robson - tried to make things happen when others seemed content to let things happen around them.

Teams:

Livingston:Roy, Mackay, Pinxten, Strong, Tierney, Brittain, Walker, Vincze, Dair (Scott 71), Dalglish (McPake 86), Snodgrass.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Dorado, Adam, Boyd, Tesevic.

Booked: Tierney, Walker, Pinxten.

Goal: Snodgrass 42.

Dundee Utd: Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Duff (Canero 71), Kerr, Fernandez (McIntyre 59), Robson, Samuel, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Samson, McInnes, Kenneth, Robertson, Goodwillie.

Booked: McIntyre.

Att: 3,845

Ref: C Thomson

Click here for the full match report by Grant Letham.