First Team

MATCH REPORT | UNITED MAKE IT TWO WINS ON THE SPIN

15th April 2023

MOTHERWELL 1
DUNDEE UNITED 2
3PM SATURDAY 15TH APRIL
CINCH PREMIERSHIP
FIR PARK

An outstanding second-half comeback seen United take all three points in Lanarkshire.  

THE TEAM TALK

There was one like-for-like change in Jim Goodwin’s starting eleven this weekend. 

Ilmari Niskanen was handed a starting spot ahead of Kai Fotheringham, a change that was made in the 60th minute during last weekend’s victory over Hibernian. 

A BRIGHT START

It was a first five minutes in which Jim Goodwin’s men dictated the game without testing Liam Kelly in the Motherwell net. 

Good spells of possession came down United’s left, with Aziz Behich playing the role of a wide-roaming midfielder as per recent weeks. 

Despite the bright start, the home side were the first to saunter forward and fashion an opportunity. Michael Mandron worked a cut back into the box for James Furlong but he was crowded out and couldn’t force a shot at goal. As the ball broke, Blair Spittal’s cross found a dangerous area but Aziz Behich was on hand to head clear. 

The Motherwell attack appeared to kick us into gear, with chances falling thick and fast for the men in mint. 

Again down our left, a one-two with Ian Harkes saw Behich coasting down the line once more, he delivered a cross into the box which was just ahead of Steven Fletcher who looked certain to get on the end of it. The dogged Niskanen picked it up, again delivering a dangerous ball which was headed clear. Scott McMann latched on to it - skipping past Paul McGinn’s challenge to win a corner for United. 

A change in delivery duties saw Craig Sibbald deliver an in-swinger - and only a clearance on the line from Furlong denied Fletcher from opening the scoring. 

 

MOTHERWELL PROBING

Quick chances fell the hosts’ way before an eventual opener. Kevin Van Veen’s effort flashed wide before Spittal’s corner was headed just wide by Dan Casey. 

The deadlock was broken on 22 minutes as a quick counter allowed Van Veen to break free. He slid Johnston in down the line before the ball was cut back to the Dutchman to finish at the second time of asking after a smart initial stop from Mark Birighitti. There was a lengthy VAR check for offside following a goal-line scramble - leaving both sets of fans disgruntled - however the goal was awarded, giving Motherwell the lead against the run of play. 

CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS

Five minutes after the opener, Loick Ayina slid in to block Sean Goss from doubling Motherwell’s advantage. 

United, however, had chances to restore parity in the opening 45. 

Ian Harkes managed to dig out a cross which saw Fletcher go down under a challenge in the box. Missing everyone, the ball fell to Behich at the back post but the Australian could only fire low into the ground and out of harm’s way.

With just under five minutes until the break, United carved an opportunity which should have led to more. A swift counter and some neat one-touch football between McGrath, Harkes and Fletcher sent Niskanen racing clear. He edged towards the box, but just couldn’t adjust his feet in time to let fly. 

A PULSATING RESTART

High octane tempo was in store for the second half, with United looking in a menacing mood. 

Van Veen thought he’d doubled his tally for the afternoon with a clever curling finish, brushing the post on its way in, however, the assistant was quick to put his flag up for offside and this time, a quick VAR check confirmed his decision. 

United came close to a leveller as Behich teed up  Harkes inside the area, but he was denied by a smart stop from Kelly before the ball was cleared for a United corner. The out-swinging ball was met head-on by Ayina, but his glancing effort fell agonisingly wide of the upright. 

Moments later a huge save from Birighitti ensured we didn’t fall further behind - getting down well to save from Van Veen who raced clear one-on-one. 

A FRANTIC TURNAROUND

It was a chaotic ten minutes that followed. 

After being handed a start this afternoon, Niskanen came up trumps to draw us level with aplomb. Harkes was the creator, evading a challenge inside the box before pulling it back for the Finnish International to slide home from close range with a neat left-footed finish. 

There was a change that followed - Rory MacLeod taking the place of Kieran Freeman as United switched to a back three heading into the final 25 minutes. 

No less than seven minutes after the leveller, United were awarded a spot kick as Fletcher went down under the challenge of Kelly inside the Motherwell penalty area. 

As cool as you like from twelve yards, McGrath stepped up and stroked the ball down the middle, sending the United fans into raptures behind the goal. It was a winner our play deserved after a spirited and determined second-half showing.

Substitute and Academy Graduate MacLeod almost had our third with a snapshot from inside the box - Kelly was equal to it however, with a strong hand to push the ball around the post. 

There was a flurry of bookings in the dying embers. After letting fly from 25 yards, Ayina was then carded at the other end for a strong, headed challenge on Cornelius. United looked to be awarded a second penalty into the eight additional minutes, but Fletcher was infact cautioned for simulation - which looked contentious. As we looked to see the game out, the on-form Birighitti was shown the final yellow card of the match as he kicked the ball away before a United goal kick.  

The win sees United pick up back-to-back wins for the first time since the turn of the year, moving us into tenth place for the time being. 

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS

 

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Birighitti, McMann, Mulgrew, Niskanen, Fletcher, Sibbald, Behich, McGrath, Freeman (66’ MacLeod), Harkes, Ayina

Subs: Newman, Graham, Djoum, Edwards, A.Sadat, Fotheringham, Cudjoe, Thomson.

NEXT UP

We’re back at Tannadice on Saturday, taking on Livingston in a 3pm kick-off. 

CLICK HERE to purchase your match ticket!

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