United secure victory with dominant first half performance

United gained a first league win thanks to a terrific first half performance. Goals from Stanton and Safranko gave them a wholly merited two goal lead. Queens hit back in the second half through Dobbie, but United held on for a much-needed victory at a difficult venue.

By Levente Bartha

Csaba Laszlo made three changes to the United line-up for the trip against Queen of the South. Pavol Safranko, the new striker, got straight into the starting eleven as he made his debut to replace Craig Curran whilst Paul Watson and Fraser Aird replaced William Edjenguele and Sam Wardrop respectively. 

First Half:

The match started with one minute of silence in memory of Queens' legendary goalkeeper Alan Ball who passed away recently. United got off to an impressive start winning three corners in the first minute.  The first shot on goal though came from QOTS through Andrew Stirling. A minute later United produced a quick counterattack with Loemba who crossed the ball from the left to Nicky Clark whose header didn’t hit the target. A dangerous cross from Josh Todd was subsequently cleared by Frederic Frans at full stretch. After ten minutes new striker Safranko made his first shot from a sharp angle. It looked like United’s new formation paid off when, on 14 minutes, Stanton picked up the ball to run through the defenders to shoot from 20 yards from the middle area to give United the lead. A little later, Rabitsch cleared the incoming pass aimed at Stephen Dobbie who looked to score. In the 24th minute, Frans passed the ball to Safranko who scored from an acute angle for United's second. A great ball from Stanton to Loemba after a tackle in front of United’s goal ended in an unlucky shot from Robson who didn’t hit the target. Gary Harkins got booked for a challenge on Safranko in the 32nd minute as QOTS were trying to get back into the game. Harkins had the opportunity to get one back before the teams went in for half time but missed the target. 

Second Half:

QOTS opened the second half by putting United under pressure for the first time.  Soon however it was United who threatened with Loemba making a surging run but he failed to cross from the corner. Rakovan then saved three times in quick succession, from Dobbie, Harkins and then from Dykes. But when Jacobs crossed to the far post, Dobbie arrived in time to put the ball into the net to make it 1-2 twenty minutes into the second half. A big chance was missed by United after a great run from Clark who passed the ball to Safranko; both had the opportunity to shoot but looked for other options. QOTS then brought on their first substitute of the game replacing Todd with Murray in the 25th minute and five minutes later United brought on Curran for Safranko. Rabitsch got booked in the 33th minute for pulling a jersey. There was a big chance for QOTS as Dykes arrived at the far post but Fraser Aird was in the right place to clear it from the six-yard area. Another yellow card was issued, this time to Doyle. Rabitsch crossed the free kick well but Frans failed to connect. Andrew Stirling was subsequently replaced by Declant Tremble 37 minutes into the second half. There was a fair bit of shoving around after Queens chance resulting in yellow cards for Rakovan, Robson and Dykes in the dying minutes of the game. As United brought on Smith for Clark, there was a final save from Rakovan from a Jacobs header securing the victory for United.  

Queen of the South: Martin, Marshall, Fordyce, Doyle, Stirling, Jacobs, Todd (Murray 70), Dobbie, Semple (Tremble 82), Harkings, Dykes

Subs: Leighfield, Mercer, Watson, Murray, Bell, Harvey

United: Rakovan, Frans, Barton, Clark, Stanton, Safranko, Robson, Rabitsch, Aird, Watson, Loemba

Subs: Siegrist, Curran, Smith, Allardice, Wardrop, Edjenguele, Glass 

Referee: Steven Kirkland

Assistant Referees: Dougie Potter, Calum Doyle

Attendance: 1690