By Ally Stewart
In his first Championship game in charge, new boss Csaba Laszlo made wholesale changes to the starting line up for the visit of Falkirk. Following the Irn Bru Cup outing the previous week he reverted to an eleven which saw just one change from the side which had defeated St Mirren, with Fraser Fyvie returning to the midfield in place of youngster Matty Smith. This was a hugely significant game with United handed the opportunity to go clear at the top with fellow league leaders St Mirren out of action. For Falkirk, they were also desperately seeking points having endured a tough start to the season and found themselves at the wrong end of the table.
First Half
The game began with a period of steady possession from the hosts but almost burst into life in the third minute after Billy King received a cross field ball on the left side before making his way off the wing and into the Falkirk box. He then unleashed a rocket of a shot with his right foot which swerved beyond goalkeeper Robbie Thomson and struck the underside of the bar and away to safety. Shortly after another spectacular effort from 30 yards from Fyvie was tipped over the bar by Thomson as United sought the early breakthrough. Twelve minutes in after winning one of several corners Scott Fraser laid the delivery low towards he in rushing Sam Stanton whose powerful first time effort sailed over the bar.
The Tangerines then made the breakthrough their early dominance merited in the 20th minute, after more good build up allowed Jamie Robson to work his way into the box from the left side. His ball into a crowded penalty box found a way to Scott McDonald who with his back to goal deftly guided the ball over Thomson high into the far corner of the net. Eight minutes later it should have been another after an in swinging cross from King was blocked and fell invitingly to Stewart Murdoch five yards out. Keeper Thomson made the block from point blank range before Murdoch’s ambitious overhead attempt from the rebound cleared the bar. The flanks were proving to be an area where the hosts were focusing their attack and this time Fraser sent in a low ball which McDonald again turned towards goal. Thomson did well to block the attempt which was very similar to the one which McDonald had previously scored from. Four minutes before half time United deservedly doubled their advantage and it was another well worked move that created the opening. When Murdoch received the ball in acres of space on the right he was able to pick out Robson at the penalty spot who controlled before spinning and drilling low first time shot into the net. Just before half time the Terrors added a third which was no more than they deserved following 45 minutes of complete dominance. Stanton sent Willo Flood clear on the right side of the Falkirk midfield and the Irishman drove into the box before drilling low across goal into the corner.
Second Half
As is often the case after an opening half so full of goalmouth action the game lacked the same life immediately following the break with United happy to knock the ball around as the visitors tried to create a lifeline. Aside from a James Craigen effort which was Falkirk’s first worthy of note in the game, neither goal had been troubled until a lovely move created another opening for the home team in 64 minutes. McDonald took the ball down and laid off to half time sub Paul McMullan whose neat pass sent Fraser in on goal. Thomson did well to come out and close the midfielder down before saving to prevent further damage for his side. King then swerved a long range shot off target before then setting up McMullan following some trickery at the outer edge of the box. His fellow winger met the cut back first time and only narrowly missed the target. Fyvie then stung the palms of Thomson, the busiest man on the park, as the pressure again started to build and it should’ve again been a fourth for United after 73 minutes. King’s shot from the edge of the box was parried out by Thomson with Fraser latching onto the rebound and crashing a shot off the underside of the bar from a tight angle. As the Falkirk rearguard struggled to clear Fyvie had a chance to finish but steered his shot wide of the post letting the visitors off the hook. Thomson was called into action yet again with just under 10 minutes left, blocking Stanton’s powerful angled drive before Fraser saw his shot towards the far corner headed away from goal. With three minutes to go Fyvie ended yet another drive forward from midfield with another United attempt off the woodwork, this time his curling a right foot shot beat Thomson and struck the base of the post in what was the last piece of action from either side.
Full Time Summary
Rarely will you see a half of football as one sided as the first half was this afternoon and the scoreline in no way flattered the hosts. While the intensity dropped after the break they still made chances to further increase their lead and can take a number of positives away from their display. Having now taken top spot in the league they’ll now be able to move ahead with confidence and if they can maintain this level then they will take some stopping come the end of the season.
Man of the Match
There were several clear contenders such was the quality of the display this afternoon but the award goes to Fraser Fyvie who orchestrated the game in midfield for the entire 90 minutes. On this evidence he could prove to be key to United’s hopes of achieving promotion at the end of the season.
United – Lewis, Murdoch, Scobbie, Durnan, McDonald (N’Koyi 83), Fraser (Quinn 86), King, Stanton, Flood (McMullan 46) Robson, Fyvie. Subs not used – Mehmet, Edjenguele, Smith, Chalmers.
Falkirk – Thomson, McGhee, Muirhead, Grant, McKee (Dunne 58), Kerr, Longridge, Harris, Miller (Austin 46), Gallagher (Craigen 28), Blues. Subs not used - Mutch, Kidd, Hippolyte, Loy, Dunne.
Attendance - 5915
Referee – Alan Muir
United – 3 (McDonald 20, Robson 41, Flood 45)
Falkirk – 0
