First Team
CRAIG SIBBALD EXTENDS TANNADICE STAY
14th May 2024
In a first half which failed to live up to pre-match billing United were well on top in terms of possession and territory however clear cut chances had been rare.
The best opportunities for United had come from the in-form front pairing of Goodwillie and Cadamarteri, however both had been well marshalled by the tight Motherwell defence and as a result neither could seriously trouble Well keeper John Ruddy. The pick of the chances for United came midway through the half when Cadamarteri surged down the right flank and clipped in a dangerous cross which Goodwillie nodded wide from inside the six yard area. Despite their superiority the Terrors had Weaver to thank for keeping them level at half time, as the English keeper pulled off a magnificent save from Motherwell's Lucas Jutkiewidz's long range pile driver which was heading for the top corner.
The game followed much the same pattern in the second half with United mainly pushing forward but Motherwell doing a good job of limiting the openings in front of goal. Somewhat against the run of play however, Well took the lead after 66 minutes and it was really United's own doing. United gave away possession to O'Brien deep in defence and proceeded to trip the winger as he darted into the box. Ross Forbes stepped up to take the kick and placed the ball into the bottom corner just out of Weaver's reach. In the 70th minute United came within a whisker of levelling the game only to be thwarted by a fine double save from Ruddy. A Conway free kick from the left was turned towards goal by Darren Dods and the Motherwell keeper expertly turned the ball away from goal.
Cadamarteri pounced on the loose ball but couldn't work space for a shot and finally the ball broke to Webster whose shot on the turn from inside six yards was somehow again blocked by Ruddy. United probed and probed but Motherwell continued to limit the openings. If an equaliser were to come it would take something a bit special and, with three minutes left, Buaben almost provided this but Ruddy turned his fierce right foot shot over the bar for a corner as United's last real chance came and went.
Full Time Summary: Neither side managed to maintain their early season form for this match and after having had the majority of the play United only have themselves to blame for losing the game.
Man of the Match: On a real off day for United there were not many candidates but from a home point of view the outstanding moment of the match was the save in the first half by Nicky Weaver, and for this he takes the award.
United: Weaver, Dillon, Webster, Dods (C), Conway (Shala 76), Cadamarteri, D Robertson, Swanson (Myrie-Williams 61), Buaben, Dixon (Kovacevic 50), Goodwillie. Subs not Used - Banks, Wilkie, McCord, Russell.
Motherwell: Ruddy, Moutaouakil, Hammell, Reynolds (C), Coke, Jennings (Jutkiewidz 32), Sutton, O'Brien, Hateley, Forbes, Saunders. Subs Not Used - Kosiorowski, Craigan, Lasley, Murphy, McGarry, McHugh.
Referee - David Somers
Attendance - 7196
Read the full report by Ally Stewart.
The best opportunities for United had come from the in-form front pairing of Goodwillie and Cadamarteri, however both had been well marshalled by the tight Motherwell defence and as a result neither could seriously trouble Well keeper John Ruddy. The pick of the chances for United came midway through the half when Cadamarteri surged down the right flank and clipped in a dangerous cross which Goodwillie nodded wide from inside the six yard area. Despite their superiority the Terrors had Weaver to thank for keeping them level at half time, as the English keeper pulled off a magnificent save from Motherwell's Lucas Jutkiewidz's long range pile driver which was heading for the top corner.
The game followed much the same pattern in the second half with United mainly pushing forward but Motherwell doing a good job of limiting the openings in front of goal. Somewhat against the run of play however, Well took the lead after 66 minutes and it was really United's own doing. United gave away possession to O'Brien deep in defence and proceeded to trip the winger as he darted into the box. Ross Forbes stepped up to take the kick and placed the ball into the bottom corner just out of Weaver's reach. In the 70th minute United came within a whisker of levelling the game only to be thwarted by a fine double save from Ruddy. A Conway free kick from the left was turned towards goal by Darren Dods and the Motherwell keeper expertly turned the ball away from goal.
Cadamarteri pounced on the loose ball but couldn't work space for a shot and finally the ball broke to Webster whose shot on the turn from inside six yards was somehow again blocked by Ruddy. United probed and probed but Motherwell continued to limit the openings. If an equaliser were to come it would take something a bit special and, with three minutes left, Buaben almost provided this but Ruddy turned his fierce right foot shot over the bar for a corner as United's last real chance came and went.
Full Time Summary: Neither side managed to maintain their early season form for this match and after having had the majority of the play United only have themselves to blame for losing the game.
Man of the Match: On a real off day for United there were not many candidates but from a home point of view the outstanding moment of the match was the save in the first half by Nicky Weaver, and for this he takes the award.
United: Weaver, Dillon, Webster, Dods (C), Conway (Shala 76), Cadamarteri, D Robertson, Swanson (Myrie-Williams 61), Buaben, Dixon (Kovacevic 50), Goodwillie. Subs not Used - Banks, Wilkie, McCord, Russell.
Motherwell: Ruddy, Moutaouakil, Hammell, Reynolds (C), Coke, Jennings (Jutkiewidz 32), Sutton, O'Brien, Hateley, Forbes, Saunders. Subs Not Used - Kosiorowski, Craigan, Lasley, Murphy, McGarry, McHugh.
Referee - David Somers
Attendance - 7196
Read the full report by Ally Stewart.
