Club
Dundee United Takes Part in Football's Great Save!
11th March 2025
United eased their way into the Third Round of the CIS Cup with a narrow victory over a hard working Stranraer side. After falling behind to a Murray Henderson volley in the 39th minute, United showed their superiority with goals from James Grady, Mark Kerr and Chris Innes.
United started their Cup campaign with three changes to the starting-line up from Saturday's draw with Livingston. David McCracken came back to captain the team in place of the unfortunate Paul Ritchie, whilst the experienced duo of James Grady and Andy McLaren started up front with Billy Dodds and Jim McIntyre listed as substitutes. Making up the home bench were skipper Derek McInnes, Collin Samuel and keeper Lars Hirschfeld.
With the home side keen to embark on a successful Cup run they started out full of intent and after only four minutes the lively looking Jason Scotland had a shot well saved by Andy McCondichie. United continued to press for an opener and five minutes later James Grady had a header pushed wide following a fine cross from Mark Wilson. Jason Scotland looked the most dangerous man in the home side and on the 16th and 22nd minute marks he went close with a snap shot and glancing header.
After 25 minutes the visitors came back into the match and following some good build-up play, Fraser forced Tony Bullock into his first save of the match. A minute later Finlayson again troubled Bullock with a header but his effort went just wide of the post. In the 39th minute, last year's Third Division champions took a shock lead when from a corner by Sharp, the ball was flicked on by Fraser and central defender Murray Henderson powered home his volley. With the shock of falling behind the home side went straight on the hunt for an equaliser and following a string of attacks they did find a leveller after 43 minutes. From Andy McLaren's superb cross, striker James Grady powered his header in off the underside of the bar. The 1 - 1 scoreline at half time was almost a fair reflection with United relieved to be on level terms.
United started the second half looking for an improved performance and had spectacular efforts from McLaren with an overhead kick and a 30 yard Mark Wilson shot. Barry Robson was also unfortunate to see a shot well saved by the Stranraer goalkeeper. Shortly after the hour mark United took the lead following a stroke of good fortune. Mark Kerr did well to make space for himself and his 25 yard speculative shot took a deflection off the unlucky John Fraser and ended up in the net. As the minutes ticked by the visitors continued to tire and it was no surprise when after 73 minutes the SPL side increased their lead further. This time from an excellent Mark Wilson corner, defender Chris Innes headed home. The match was played out with very few talking points. Stranraer did force a corner after 76 minutes from which Stephen Swift headed wide and in the dying minutes David McCracken forced his way through the defence and had a good shot saved by the keeper.
At the final whistle the home side looked pleased with the evening's work and must be happy to have their names in the hat for the Third Round.
Teams:
Dundee United: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken (c), Archibald, Kerr, Robson (Dodds), Duff, Grady, McLaren (Samuel), Scotland (McIntyre), Innes
Subs not used : Hirschfeld, McInnes
Stranraer : McCondichie, Swift, Wright, Wingate, Henderson, Jenkins (c), Finlayson, Fraser, Gaughan (Aitken), Graham (Donnachie), Sharp
Subs not used : Meechan, McCutcheon, Cruickshank
Referee : A Freeland
Attendance : 2511
United started their Cup campaign with three changes to the starting-line up from Saturday's draw with Livingston. David McCracken came back to captain the team in place of the unfortunate Paul Ritchie, whilst the experienced duo of James Grady and Andy McLaren started up front with Billy Dodds and Jim McIntyre listed as substitutes. Making up the home bench were skipper Derek McInnes, Collin Samuel and keeper Lars Hirschfeld.
With the home side keen to embark on a successful Cup run they started out full of intent and after only four minutes the lively looking Jason Scotland had a shot well saved by Andy McCondichie. United continued to press for an opener and five minutes later James Grady had a header pushed wide following a fine cross from Mark Wilson. Jason Scotland looked the most dangerous man in the home side and on the 16th and 22nd minute marks he went close with a snap shot and glancing header.
After 25 minutes the visitors came back into the match and following some good build-up play, Fraser forced Tony Bullock into his first save of the match. A minute later Finlayson again troubled Bullock with a header but his effort went just wide of the post. In the 39th minute, last year's Third Division champions took a shock lead when from a corner by Sharp, the ball was flicked on by Fraser and central defender Murray Henderson powered home his volley. With the shock of falling behind the home side went straight on the hunt for an equaliser and following a string of attacks they did find a leveller after 43 minutes. From Andy McLaren's superb cross, striker James Grady powered his header in off the underside of the bar. The 1 - 1 scoreline at half time was almost a fair reflection with United relieved to be on level terms.
United started the second half looking for an improved performance and had spectacular efforts from McLaren with an overhead kick and a 30 yard Mark Wilson shot. Barry Robson was also unfortunate to see a shot well saved by the Stranraer goalkeeper. Shortly after the hour mark United took the lead following a stroke of good fortune. Mark Kerr did well to make space for himself and his 25 yard speculative shot took a deflection off the unlucky John Fraser and ended up in the net. As the minutes ticked by the visitors continued to tire and it was no surprise when after 73 minutes the SPL side increased their lead further. This time from an excellent Mark Wilson corner, defender Chris Innes headed home. The match was played out with very few talking points. Stranraer did force a corner after 76 minutes from which Stephen Swift headed wide and in the dying minutes David McCracken forced his way through the defence and had a good shot saved by the keeper.
At the final whistle the home side looked pleased with the evening's work and must be happy to have their names in the hat for the Third Round.
Teams:
Dundee United: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken (c), Archibald, Kerr, Robson (Dodds), Duff, Grady, McLaren (Samuel), Scotland (McIntyre), Innes
Subs not used : Hirschfeld, McInnes
Stranraer : McCondichie, Swift, Wright, Wingate, Henderson, Jenkins (c), Finlayson, Fraser, Gaughan (Aitken), Graham (Donnachie), Sharp
Subs not used : Meechan, McCutcheon, Cruickshank
Referee : A Freeland
Attendance : 2511
