MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
United recorded a thoroughly deserved win over Falkirk after striking late on through Mark Durnan. After an even battle in the first half the hosts were dominant after the break and again showed patience to get the result.
By Ally Stewart
It was a largely scrappy opening 45 minutes which produced plenty in the way of endeavour however neither side could find the opener. The closest the hosts came was in the 13th minute when Andreu took on a Van der Velden lay off first time in doing so producing a good stop from Rogers who parried his angled drive away to safety. Telfer then fed a superb ball through the middle for Andreu to race onto however he was just beaten to it by Rogers who sprayed himself well to clear. The visitors did come more into it towards half time with Sibbald twice failing to make the most of good positions in the box, first firing over from 12 yards and then on the stoke of half time hitting his shot right at Bell for a comfortable save. In the end a goalless opening half was a fair reflection on the game.
The Tangerines made a positive start to the second half and Scott Fraser went close with a left foot shot from distance which cleared the bar. A minute later Fraser swung a dangerous ball into the box which was glanced wide from 6 yards by Frank Van der Struijk. Close to the hour mark there was a moment of panic for the hosts as a quickly taken Falkirk free kick was headed towards the goalkeeper by Van der Velden who was unaware of the incoming Luke Leahy who prodded the ball towards goal. Thankfully Bell was alive to the danger and held to make the the necessary save. McKinnon sent on Simon Murray and Cammy Smith for Obadeyi and Van der Velden on the hour mark in an attempt to intensify the attack. Rogers then made another good save diving low to his left to turn away a strong effort from Fraser. Murray raced onto the loose ball and steered back towards goal but the visitors had numbers back to clear. In the 80th minute a fierce strike from Leahy was deflected out for a corner however at the other end the crucial opener was only minutes away. The Tangerines won possession in midfield and raced forward down the left through Fraser. The youngster played the ball inside to Smith who guided the ball into the middle of the box. After taking a touch off a defender it fell right into the path of Durnan who smashed the ball home past Rogers from 8 yards. Tannadice erupted to acknowledge what could be a potentially match winning moment. Edjenguele had to make a game saving tackle to prevent sub Bob McHugh from getting a shot in deep in injury time, before amidst a scramble in the United box the ball cannoned off the post however the offside flag had already been raised and a massive three points were secured for United.
Full Time Summary
It was definitely not the prettiest game of football you’ll ever see however there is no doubting this could prove to be a pivotal win come the end of the season. The trend of recent weeks in remaining patient to get the job done again displayed itself in the best possible way and the win was thoroughly merited.
Man of the Match
There were strong candidates at the back for United with Van der Struijk and Durnan rock solid throughout but the award goes to Scott Fraser who was United’s most creative threat throughout the game. What was also noticeable was his physical strength and willingness to contribute at both ends of the field – a sign of the improvement he is now showing under McKinnon.
United – Bell, Dixon, Durnan, Fraser (Donaldson 86), Obadeyi (Murray 60), Telfer, Edjenguele, Flood, Andreu, Van Der Struijk, Van Der Velden (Smith 60). Subs not used – Zwick, Dillon, Spittal, Robson.
Falkirk – Rogers, Leahy, Muirhead, McCracken, Rankin (Craigen 85), Taiwo, Kerr, Baird (McHugh 79), Sibbald (Hippolyte 72), Gasparotto, Miller. Subs not used – Mehmet, Grant, Shepherd, Watson.
Referee – Euan Anderson
Attendance - 7046
The Tangerines made a positive start to the second half and Scott Fraser went close with a left foot shot from distance which cleared the bar. A minute later Fraser swung a dangerous ball into the box which was glanced wide from 6 yards by Frank Van der Struijk. Close to the hour mark there was a moment of panic for the hosts as a quickly taken Falkirk free kick was headed towards the goalkeeper by Van der Velden who was unaware of the incoming Luke Leahy who prodded the ball towards goal. Thankfully Bell was alive to the danger and held to make the the necessary save. McKinnon sent on Simon Murray and Cammy Smith for Obadeyi and Van der Velden on the hour mark in an attempt to intensify the attack. Rogers then made another good save diving low to his left to turn away a strong effort from Fraser. Murray raced onto the loose ball and steered back towards goal but the visitors had numbers back to clear. In the 80th minute a fierce strike from Leahy was deflected out for a corner however at the other end the crucial opener was only minutes away. The Tangerines won possession in midfield and raced forward down the left through Fraser. The youngster played the ball inside to Smith who guided the ball into the middle of the box. After taking a touch off a defender it fell right into the path of Durnan who smashed the ball home past Rogers from 8 yards. Tannadice erupted to acknowledge what could be a potentially match winning moment. Edjenguele had to make a game saving tackle to prevent sub Bob McHugh from getting a shot in deep in injury time, before amidst a scramble in the United box the ball cannoned off the post however the offside flag had already been raised and a massive three points were secured for United.
Full Time Summary
It was definitely not the prettiest game of football you’ll ever see however there is no doubting this could prove to be a pivotal win come the end of the season. The trend of recent weeks in remaining patient to get the job done again displayed itself in the best possible way and the win was thoroughly merited.
Man of the Match
There were strong candidates at the back for United with Van der Struijk and Durnan rock solid throughout but the award goes to Scott Fraser who was United’s most creative threat throughout the game. What was also noticeable was his physical strength and willingness to contribute at both ends of the field – a sign of the improvement he is now showing under McKinnon.
United – Bell, Dixon, Durnan, Fraser (Donaldson 86), Obadeyi (Murray 60), Telfer, Edjenguele, Flood, Andreu, Van Der Struijk, Van Der Velden (Smith 60). Subs not used – Zwick, Dillon, Spittal, Robson.
Falkirk – Rogers, Leahy, Muirhead, McCracken, Rankin (Craigen 85), Taiwo, Kerr, Baird (McHugh 79), Sibbald (Hippolyte 72), Gasparotto, Miller. Subs not used – Mehmet, Grant, Shepherd, Watson.
Referee – Euan Anderson
Attendance - 7046
