MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
Honours were even at the end of a hard-fought encounter in a match switched from Tannadice to Forfar’s Station Park.
By Peter Rundo
With four first team squad members – Sean Dillon, Coll Donaldson, Stuart Murdoch and Charlie Telfer - in their ranks, the Tangerines made most of the early running.
Scott Allardice fired inches over after eight minutes and a minute later Ali Coote was through on the keeper, only for Robbie Thomson to deflect his shot for a corner.
Midway through the half, United deservedly went in front, though there was more than a hint of good fortune about it.
The impressive Allardice crashed a 25-yarder against the post and the ball rebounded from Thomson’s head and into the net.
However, that lead was short-lived because seven minutes later Luca Gasparotto nodded home after the United defence failed to deal with a free-kick.
After a scrappy start to the second half, both teams had chances in the latter stages.
For the visitors, substitute Conor Langton was played in on goal, but dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Then Murdoch’s slide-rule pass found Graham Taylor, but his attempted dink was clawed away by Thomson.
And with ten minutes left Brad Smith swept in a shot from Taylor’s cut-back that clipped the top of the crossbar.
Dundee United: Long, Ritchie, Dillon (Hornby 68), Donladson, Robson, Murdoch, Allardice, Taylor, B Smith, Telfer (Chalmers 85), Coote.
Subs not used: Reekie, Bollan, Dailly, Appere, Davie.
