MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
A sparkling fresh United line-up full of Academy Graduates played out a vibrant draw against an experienced Motherwell in the final home game of the season.
United’s line-up thrilled. The Terrors had called upon the tremendous talent of Our Academy Graduates, and structured it with a spine of experienced senior players. The nous of Captain for the fixture Connolly alongside 16-year-old Kerr Smith at the back, the width and vibrancy of Meekison and Chalmers anchored by the adept internationalist Fuchs. Up front, the increasingly tried and tested Appere the physical foil for Shankland. A line-up to set any Arab's mouth a-water.
Motherwell named a very strong team, the Lanarkshire outfit clearly fixing a steely gaze on 7th spot in the table.
The match began with intensity, with Our Academy Graduates taking it in turns to star in the first half.
Initially Appere took in a ball and played in Shankland. The striker squirmed for space in a throng of challenges, and snuck away a shot. The rebound found ‘Young Airch’ Meekison who looked to curl a ball around the onrushing keeper. Only a goal-line clearance stopped Young Airch opening the scoring on his first start for the first team.
Half a breath later, with the play thundering away down the other end of the pitch, Our Academy Graduate Kerr Smith thwarted the designs of deadly penalty box striker Devante Cole, cooly winning the ball and playing it out of danger in his own six-yard box.
With so many young charges out on the pitch, the United manager took an even more active role on the touchline. Micky Mellon coached the youngsters through theirs shapes, egged on their transitions, vocally celebrating their individual moments of success. They responded by contributing to a very lively and enjoyable performance.
Goals seemed in the offing from the outset, and it was the home side that opened their account first.
Logan Chalmers picked an interception out the air as Motherwell looked to play it long. Our Academy Graduate controlled the ball and charged down his flank. He had the ‘Well rearguard scattering backwards as he advanced. Suddenly Chalmers was on the edge of the penalty box, and struck a shot. Senior striker Shankland nodded the flighted ball into a new trajectory mid-air, skewing it beyond the stranded goalie. One nil United!
Motherwell were unbowed by the setback and looked to spring counters. Their raids came principally down the flanks, and United had plenty firefighting to do on the back foot. They proved equal to the early challenges, however, and went on to generate the next good chance.
It was the turn of another of Our Academy Graduates to shine. Louis Appere, who moved like a sprinter to press and harry across the backline all evening, put the Motherwell keeper under tremendous pressure. The flustered goalie knocked it forward to a marked defender, who tried to return the ball. Appere was there again looking to intercept, and found himself cleaned out. Penalty United! Shankland stepped up, but fired the spot kick just wide.
Meekison might not present the same stout silhouette as Appere but he showed that he could mix it against Motherwell’s muscular midfield. On several occasions Young Airch used his body well to shield, contest and win possession in the middle of the park. A promising first start indeed for the young man.
United struck again on 33 minutes. Pawlett held a forward ball up on his toe, then played it wide to Chalmers. The pink booted youngster took his man this way and that, then cut the ball back to fellow Academy product Meekison. The Motherwell defence were screaming forward, but Young Airch tucked his shot beautifully into the far bottom corner. A sensational strike, manufactured in the talent factory of Our Academy.
United saw the first half out comfortably.
The dash and sparkle of the first half dulled slightly as Motherwell ground their way into the game in the second period.
On the 53rd minute Alexander’s side got a goal back. An O’Donnell through on the George Fox side of the pitch found Devante Cole. He brought it across to striker Long, who squared up Smith and scored from close range.
Some more experience came on for United, with Harkes, Butcher and Our Academy Graduate Robson and Mark McNulty making their appearances.
A late ball into the box with only 30 seconds left on the clock was won by Motherwell head. The ball was directed to Devante Cole who tucked away his strike.
United forced another couple of chances on goal, but couldn’t find a late, late winner.
A disappointing end to a compelling contest in which young players shone brightly.
UNITED: Doohan, L.Smith, Sporle, Connolly, Pawlett, Chalmers, Shankland, Appere, Meekison, K.Smith, Fuchs. SUBS: Deniz, Reynolds, McNulty, Clark, Edwards, Robson, Butcher, Harkes, Davidson.
MOTHERWELL: Kelly, O'Donnell, Magloire, Lamie, McGinley, Campbell, Foley, Lawless, Hastie, Cole, Long. SUBS: Fox, Carroll, Dunne, Gallagher, O'Hara, Crawford, Maguire, Cornelius, Watt.
