First Team
THE TANGERINE ARMY | PARTICK THISTLE (H)
27th April 2024
DUNDEE UNITED 3-0 UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
3PM SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY 2023
SCOTTISH CUP FOURTH ROUND
TANNADICE PARK
Goals from Aziz Behich, Jamie McGrath and Glenn Middleton see the Terrors into the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup.
THE TEAM TALK
Liam Fox made it clear pre-match that despite playing Lowland League opposition, United were not taking this game lightly.
Ross Graham and the experienced Charlie Mulgrew were drafted in, with Rory MacLeod also starting from the off.
There were welcome returns for Dylan Levitt and McGrath in the midfield, both of whom have been out recently with injuries.
Tony Watt was also back amongst the substitutes after missing out on our trip to Easter Road with a minor groin issue.
KICKING OFF
A loud roar from the away support met the opening action, with the ball being blocked as United looked to drive forward straight from kick-off.
It was the visitors that struck at goal first. There was some neat hold-up from Cameron McKinley in the build-up as he took his time to pick an option. He found the feet of Jason Jarvis but his first-time effort at goal was comfortable for Mark Birighitti.
There were glimpses at goal for United in the opening 15 minutes.
MacLeod showed his eagerness to impress, driving down the byline and whipping in a left-footed cross which evaded a United shirt.
Levitt and McGrath then combined on the edge of the box to open up a shooting opportunity for the Welshman which was blocked en route to goal. The resultant corner was met by Fletcher whose effort was once again blocked - this time on the goal line.
A GLIMPSE AT THE TARGET
It was McKinley who caused United the most problems this afternoon, this time holding off a number of United challenges before firing a cross across goal which evaded everyone.
BREAKING THE DEADLOCK
It took until the 45th minute for United to hit the front. A clever cross from McGrath was knocked down by Fletcher who found Behich with his back to goal. The Austrailian spun his man with a quick swivel and blasted a left-footed effort into the roof of the net.
It was a goal that certainly settled some nerves inside Tannadice after a strong first 45 from the visitors.
THE SECOND HALF
There was an intensity about United as the second half opened.
There were headed chances for MacLeod and Mulgrew either side of McGrath’s one-on-one effort. It was an exquisite threaded pass from Levitt which found the Irishman but he pulled his effort just wide of the post from just inside the penalty area.
Ben Heal showed quality as he evaded a number of mint shirts, but when it came to pulling the trigger his effort skewed wide of the target.
DOUBLING UP
Our second of the afternoon came in some style.
It was a well-worked move from United, who moved it quickly from back to front. Behich was heavily involved in the build-up but as MacLeod’s cross deflected off of Jake Service, it sat up nicely for McGrath who hit a superb bicycle kick beyond Fry in the visitors' net.
CHANGING IT UP
Two sets of two changes followed with Peter Pawlett, Glenn Middleton, Mathew Cudjoe and Ilmari Niskanen all replacing MacLeod, McGrath, Fletcher and Freeman.
HITTING THE THIRD
With less than ten minutes on the clock, Middleton cutely wrapped it up. A route-one pass from Mulgrew found the substitute racing through on goal, and after some hesitation from the UoS ‘keeper, he cushioned a lofted effort up and over Fry into the empty net.
FIGHTING THROUGH
It’s a result that means United are in the hat for the fifth round of the Scottish Cup - which will be drawn tomorrow night.
TEAMLINE
Starting XI: Birighitti, Smith, Mulgrew, Graham, Fletcher (Cudjoe 73’), Sibbald (Harkes 83’), Behich, McGrath (Pawlett 69’), Levitt, Freeman (Niskanen 73’), MacLeod (Middleton 69’).
Unused subs: Newman, McMann, Edwards, Watt.
Attendance: 4,993 (including 1,047 away supporters)
NEXT UP
We’re on home turf once again next weekend as Celtic visit Tannadice on Sunday.
