Club
SUMMER REGENERATION WORK UNDERWAY
20th May 2024
Losing a cheap goal cost the Reserves dearly against Motherwell at Ochilview this afternoon as it proved to be the winner.
However, that was harsh on them, because they had four or five decent chances against and deserved to take something against Motherwell’s more experienced side.
United lined up in their usual 4-4-2 formation with Lee Mair making his first appearance in almost a year after all his problems with a knee injury.
The full line-up was – Samson – Burnett, Kenneth, Mair, Gardiner – Abbot, Cameron, Robertson, Easton – Feeney & Goodwillie.
Midfielder David Robertson had the best of the first half chances, sending one narrowly past and then bringing out a great save from Colin Meldrum.
But it was Motherwell who opened the scoring when Clarkson drove home a Jim Paterson corner from 15 yards after 31 minutes.
In the second half, United again had the better of things with David Goodwillie looking lively, hitting the side net and unlucky to see an angled drive whistle across the face of the goal in the final minute.
Biggest bonus of the afternoon was Lee Mair coming through the 63 minutes he played before being replaced by Kieran McAleenan.
Despite the result, coach Tony Docherty drew plenty of positives.He said, “I was pleased with the effort and commitment, but the manner of their goal rankled, because it meant that we ended up losing a game that we should have won.
“But it was good that the lads were at no stage outplayed by a Motherwell side with far greater experience in its ranks.”
Team: Samson, Burnett, Kennedy, Mair (McAleenan 63), Gardiner, Abbot, Cameron, Robertson, Easton, Feeney, Goodwillie. Subs not used: Gibson, Flynn, Andreoni, O’Byrne.
