After back to back victories in their opening matches of the league campaign United sat top of the Championship table as they welcomed Brechin City to Tannadice. Following from the gritty 10 man win a week ago over Queen of the South boss Ray McKinnon made two changes to the starting side. Incoming were most recent signing Paul Quinn in place of William Edjenguele and Scott Fraser who replaced the suspended Paul McMullan. Today's match was the first meeting between the teams since a Scottish Cup tie in February 1987 and not since January 1960 had they faced each other on league business.
First Half:
Inside the opening minute there was an opportunity for the hosts when Fraser played in Billy King but his shot from inside the box was blocked by a Brechin defender. Fraser Fyvie was orchestrating much of the early play, and in the 10th minute Scott Fraser forced a fine one handed save from Brechin keeper Graeme Smith after cutting in from the right and curling a lovely left foot shot towards goal. Despite being almost completely dominated until then Brechin did fire a warning shot in 19 minutes when Kalvin Orsi's cross to the far post sailed just out of the reach of Andy Jackson who had ghosted in unmarked. Moments after Jackson then clipped a dangerous ball across the six yard box which the United rearguard cleared. After a crude challenge in the Brechin half United had a free kick opportunity in the 26th minute and James Keatings delivery sailed over the defence, forcing Smith to claw the ball away, before Scott McDonald saw his effort on the rebound blocked. It wasn't all one way traffic at this stage with the Angus side coming more into it but despite some joy down either flank were failing to create a meaningful opening. Keatings almost reached a through ball in 37 minutes with Smith just making it first to gather before referee Anderson lost patience and booked Brechin captain Paul McLean in the 40th minute after a succession of fouls from his side. Keatings took the free kick and McDonald headed over from close range before there was to be a real let off for United. A cross from Jordan Sinclair was turned onto the post by Mark Durnan's outstretched leg before Harry Lewis was able to gather after the rebound had initially hit him. After a dominant opening spell there was a bit to think about for Ray McKinnon as we reached half time with the game still goalless.
Second Half:
The half time talk in the home dressing room would undoubtedly have been about taking the game to Brechin from the restart, but it was the visitors who first seriously threatened to make the breakthrough. 5 minutes after the break it required a last ditch tackle from Quinn to halt Jackson who had broken clear and then Lewis was forced into a top class save when he turned over a rasping shot from outside the area by Sinclair. After good hold up play in the box by Orsi, Jackson then had another chance but slipped his shot wide as the feeling of concern within the United ranks intensified. On the hour mark there was a half chance for United when a clever pass by Fraser released McDonald but his shot veered off target having taken the ball on whilst slightly off balance. Despite struggling with their delivery from corners for much of the game this time King whipped in a teasing ball to the back post which found Durnan lurking but the couldn't direct a header towards goal. With little under 20 minutes to go McDonald's cross from the left flashed across the face of goal as the tide gradually appeared to be turning in United's favour. An injury to Fraser ended his afternoon early with midweek scorer Patrick N'Koyi coming on in his place and in the 80th minute the big front man was to play a part as the deadlock was finally broken. A superb headed knock down from N'Koyi allowed King to drive down the right flank and link up play with Stewart Murdoch whose ball into the box eventually fell to McDonald who despatched into the net from close range. N'Koyi again showed a glimpse of his ability when he spun his man on the right wing and swung in a superb cross which was cleared for a corner as McDonald looked poised to double his tally. From the corner N'Koyi should really have done better however as King's ball found him unmarked at the back post but his attempt was off target. In the dying moments there was a heart stopping moment for the terrors when the ball fell to Sean Crighton at the edge of the box and he hooked a right foot shot which didn't clear the crossbar by much. In the end a hard earned three points were secured and United's place at the summit assured for another week.
Man of the Match - On a day when United were below their best this was another example of the character in the squad as they stayed calm in their efforts to get the job done. Despite his tender years Jamie Robson was an example of this and he became more and more prominent as the game wore on as he continued his excellent recent form.
United - Lewis, Murdoch, Durnan, Quinn, McDonald, Fraser (N'Koyi 76), King, Stanton, Robson, Keatings (Flood 61), Fyvie. Subs not used - Mehmet, Toshney, N'Koyi, Edjenguele, Allardice, Chalmers.
Brechin - Smith, McLean, Dyer, Dale, Graham, Jackson (Layne 81), Lynas (C O'Neill 86), Spark (Watt 72), Orsi, Crighton, Sinclair. Subs not used - P O'Neill, Love, Ford.
Attendance - 6060
Referee - Euan Anderson
