MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
A Jon Daly header with seven minutes left was enough to hand United all three points in a tense Tayside derby at McDiarmid Park. The hosts could argue that they had chances to win the game and that United had keeper Dusan Pernis to thank for a penalty save from Liam Craig mid-way through the second half. But in typical fashion, the Terrors never gave up and finished well in command after Daly's breakthrough.
United made the short trip to Perth on the back of a fine 4-2 win against Hibs and there was only one change to their starting line up. Prince Buaben had picked up an injury and he started on the bench and was replaced by Paul Dixon who returned after his recent suspension. The large United support was also boosted by the news that Danny Cadamarteri was back amongst the substitutes after three months out through injury. After their fantastic 4-1 thumping of Rangers, St Johnstone were, unsurprisingly, unchanged for the game.
First Half
With both teams in fine goal scoring form it was the hosts who started the brighter and early on they had a shot from Morais that just missed the target and then Craig tested Pernis from 20 yards but the big Slovakian tipped over. On the quarter hour mark United had arguably the best chance of the half when a Dixon free kick landed at the feet of Andy Webster who saw his low shot from 12 yards well saved by Smith. As the half progressed it was St Johnstone who looked the more likely to break the deadlock. Firstly Jody Morris had a free shot in the box that he fired well wide and then shortly after Sheridan was well set up by Grainger but the Saints forward shot was well saved by Pernis.
Second Half
United looked brighter at the start of the second period and twice in the space of six minutes Daly found himself in goal scoring positions. The home side then had a good chance through Duberry but he shot over and then Craig did the same from the edge of the penalty area. With 20 minutes remaining the game really sparked to life. McKay went down in the box after a challenge from Dixon. The resulting penalty was taken by Liam Craig but Pernis made a great save to deny the Saints top goals corer. With eight minutes remaining, United grabbed the three points. Buaben and Gomis combined with the latter picking out Daly who from eight yards out powered a header past Graeme Smith.
Summing Up - A tough encounter but the team showed outstanding character once again and will be overjoyed with another three points.
Man of the match - United looked to have found another gem in the shape of Dusan Pernis and he was the reason United secured another vital win with a fine performance and hugely important penalty save.
Teams :
St Johnstone : Smith, MacKay, Grainger, Anderson, Duberry, Morris, Millar, Craig, Deuchar, Sheridan, Morais
Subs : Main, Irvine, Rutkiewicz, Falkingham, Swankie, Samuel, Reynolds
United : Pernis, Dillon, Conway, Daly, Swanson, Gomis, Kenneth, Dixon, Goodwillie, Watson
Subs : Banks, Myrie-Williams, Cadamarteri, Sandaza, Buaben, Smith
Referee : Steve Conroy
Attedance - 5769
United made the short trip to Perth on the back of a fine 4-2 win against Hibs and there was only one change to their starting line up. Prince Buaben had picked up an injury and he started on the bench and was replaced by Paul Dixon who returned after his recent suspension. The large United support was also boosted by the news that Danny Cadamarteri was back amongst the substitutes after three months out through injury. After their fantastic 4-1 thumping of Rangers, St Johnstone were, unsurprisingly, unchanged for the game.
First Half
With both teams in fine goal scoring form it was the hosts who started the brighter and early on they had a shot from Morais that just missed the target and then Craig tested Pernis from 20 yards but the big Slovakian tipped over. On the quarter hour mark United had arguably the best chance of the half when a Dixon free kick landed at the feet of Andy Webster who saw his low shot from 12 yards well saved by Smith. As the half progressed it was St Johnstone who looked the more likely to break the deadlock. Firstly Jody Morris had a free shot in the box that he fired well wide and then shortly after Sheridan was well set up by Grainger but the Saints forward shot was well saved by Pernis.
Second Half
United looked brighter at the start of the second period and twice in the space of six minutes Daly found himself in goal scoring positions. The home side then had a good chance through Duberry but he shot over and then Craig did the same from the edge of the penalty area. With 20 minutes remaining the game really sparked to life. McKay went down in the box after a challenge from Dixon. The resulting penalty was taken by Liam Craig but Pernis made a great save to deny the Saints top goals corer. With eight minutes remaining, United grabbed the three points. Buaben and Gomis combined with the latter picking out Daly who from eight yards out powered a header past Graeme Smith.
Summing Up - A tough encounter but the team showed outstanding character once again and will be overjoyed with another three points.
Man of the match - United looked to have found another gem in the shape of Dusan Pernis and he was the reason United secured another vital win with a fine performance and hugely important penalty save.
Teams :
St Johnstone : Smith, MacKay, Grainger, Anderson, Duberry, Morris, Millar, Craig, Deuchar, Sheridan, Morais
Subs : Main, Irvine, Rutkiewicz, Falkingham, Swankie, Samuel, Reynolds
United : Pernis, Dillon, Conway, Daly, Swanson, Gomis, Kenneth, Dixon, Goodwillie, Watson
Subs : Banks, Myrie-Williams, Cadamarteri, Sandaza, Buaben, Smith
Referee : Steve Conroy
Attedance - 5769
