Late Sapsford Spot-Kick Secures Victory

Dundee United opened their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a hard-fought one-nil victory over Stirling Albion, as Zac Sapsford's stoppage-time penalty secured all three points at Forthbank Stadium.

The Terrors controlled much of the contest and created the better opportunities throughout, with the breakthrough finally arriving deep into added time.

Manager Jim Goodwin handed debuts to summer signings Jack Walton for a third time, Michael Forbes, Josh Rawlins, Lachlan Rose and gave Dylan Tait the honour of pulling on the armband in the starting eleven. While Academy Graduates Jack Anderson and Cohen Leiper were also introduced for their first senior appearances in the second half. 

The young duo helped change the complexion of the contest off the bench, with Leiper's driving run and dangerous delivery into the penalty area leading to Sapsford winning the decisive spot-kick. The striker dusted himself down to confidently convert from 12 yards and hand the Tangerines the perfect start to their Premier Sports Cup campaign.

Leiper's fearless cameo was recognised after the final whistle as the 16-year-old academy product was named Premier Sports Player of the Match following an eye-catching senior debut.

Stirling Albion 0 

Dundee United 1 (Sapsford 93')

5.30pm Saturday 11 July 2026

Forthbank Stadium

Premier Sports Cup

Attendance: 1,553

Teamlines

DUNDEE UNITED

Starting XI: Walton, Rawlins, Forbes, Esselink, Naamo, Camara, Agyei, Tait (c), Eskesen, Sapsford, Rose
 
Subs: Amissah, Iovu, Ševelj, Graham, Gilligan, Constable, Anderson, Lieper, Forrest 

STIRLING ALBION

Starting XI: McNeil, Thomas, Hamilton, McNab, Banner, Hepburn, McLean, Mullen (c), Denham, Allan, Crane
 
Subs: Duffy, Russell, Wright, Boyle, Nelson, Raine, Laird 

Next Up

We continue our Premier Sports Cup Group B campaign on Tuesday evening with a trip to Links Park to face Montrose, before returning to Tannadice next weekend to take on Arbroath.

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