MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
United got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Falkirk at Tannadice. Two goals from Morgaro Gomis and a David Goodwillie penalty were enough for United to leapfrog Hibs into third place.
There was good news and bad news for United ahead of the visit of Falkirk. Paul Dixon returned from injury to replace Sean Dillon however Webster and Daly both missed out which meant starting places for Darren Dods and David Goodwillie.
First Half:
With only three minutes gone, the returning Dixon combined with Conway to create a chance for Casalinuovo who saw his volley well saved by Olejnik. Goodwillie was next to go close but he volleyed over from six yards. With 16 minutes gone, the United front man made amends when he was firstly tripped in the box by Scobbie and he then made no mistake with his resulting penalty kick. Fifteen minutes later Swanson was next to go close but his shot went just over but a minute later United did double their lead. Goodwillie broke from his own half and his fine shot was saved by the Falkirk keeper. Conway followed up and hit the post only for the ball to eventually fall to Gomis who rammed the ball home from close range. Towards the end of the half Conway had a further chance for United but he shot narrowly wide.
Second Half:
After the break United started where they left off before the half time whistle and only two minutes after the restart Swanson set up Conway but his shot was blocked by his team mate Darren Dods. Two minutes later Goodwillie skipped past three defenders and drove a shot that Olejnik spectacularly tipped over. The Bairns then had a chance to half the hosts' advantage but after Lima took advantage of a Dixon slip, Showunmi shot straight at Pernis. With 12 minutes left Goodwillie had a chance to get his second of the afternoon but unfortunately he slipped and the ball was cleared. Five minutes from the end Gomis then created another chance for the United forward but on this occasion the ball got stuck between his legs and again the visitors' defence scrambled the ball to safety. Shortly after, United's pressure did eventually pay off. Young Dale Hilson had come on as a late substitute and within a minute he gathered the ball on the right and his near post cross was fired home by Gomis to hand United a well deserved three points.
Summing Up: A fine three points for United on an afternoon when Hibs could only manage a draw. It was pleasing to see three goals and also a clean sheet. Other than a 15 minute spell midway through the second half United were in complete control all afternoon.
Man of the match - David Goodwillie had a great game for United and was unlucky not to add to his early penalty. He got into some fine positions and caused the Falkirk defence problems all afternoon.
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dods, Conway (Dillon 80), Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Kenneth, Kovacevic, Casalinuovo (Robertson 80), Dixon, Goodwillie (Hilson).
Subs not used : Banks, Myrie-Williams, Mihadjuks, Shala
Falkirk: Olejnik, Barr, Scobbie, Twaddle, McLean, Moutinho (Healy 51), O'Brien, Arfield, Flynn (Compton 71), Showunmi, Lima.
Subs not used : Wagenaar, Stewart, Lynch, Duffie, Bloom
Attendance : 6352
Referee : Calum Murray
There was good news and bad news for United ahead of the visit of Falkirk. Paul Dixon returned from injury to replace Sean Dillon however Webster and Daly both missed out which meant starting places for Darren Dods and David Goodwillie.
First Half:
With only three minutes gone, the returning Dixon combined with Conway to create a chance for Casalinuovo who saw his volley well saved by Olejnik. Goodwillie was next to go close but he volleyed over from six yards. With 16 minutes gone, the United front man made amends when he was firstly tripped in the box by Scobbie and he then made no mistake with his resulting penalty kick. Fifteen minutes later Swanson was next to go close but his shot went just over but a minute later United did double their lead. Goodwillie broke from his own half and his fine shot was saved by the Falkirk keeper. Conway followed up and hit the post only for the ball to eventually fall to Gomis who rammed the ball home from close range. Towards the end of the half Conway had a further chance for United but he shot narrowly wide.
Second Half:
After the break United started where they left off before the half time whistle and only two minutes after the restart Swanson set up Conway but his shot was blocked by his team mate Darren Dods. Two minutes later Goodwillie skipped past three defenders and drove a shot that Olejnik spectacularly tipped over. The Bairns then had a chance to half the hosts' advantage but after Lima took advantage of a Dixon slip, Showunmi shot straight at Pernis. With 12 minutes left Goodwillie had a chance to get his second of the afternoon but unfortunately he slipped and the ball was cleared. Five minutes from the end Gomis then created another chance for the United forward but on this occasion the ball got stuck between his legs and again the visitors' defence scrambled the ball to safety. Shortly after, United's pressure did eventually pay off. Young Dale Hilson had come on as a late substitute and within a minute he gathered the ball on the right and his near post cross was fired home by Gomis to hand United a well deserved three points.
Summing Up: A fine three points for United on an afternoon when Hibs could only manage a draw. It was pleasing to see three goals and also a clean sheet. Other than a 15 minute spell midway through the second half United were in complete control all afternoon.
Man of the match - David Goodwillie had a great game for United and was unlucky not to add to his early penalty. He got into some fine positions and caused the Falkirk defence problems all afternoon.
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dods, Conway (Dillon 80), Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Kenneth, Kovacevic, Casalinuovo (Robertson 80), Dixon, Goodwillie (Hilson).
Subs not used : Banks, Myrie-Williams, Mihadjuks, Shala
Falkirk: Olejnik, Barr, Scobbie, Twaddle, McLean, Moutinho (Healy 51), O'Brien, Arfield, Flynn (Compton 71), Showunmi, Lima.
Subs not used : Wagenaar, Stewart, Lynch, Duffie, Bloom
Attendance : 6352
Referee : Calum Murray
