MATCH REPORT: DUWFC CONSOLIDATE LEAD AT THE TOP

A comfortable four-goal victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday meant that Dundee United extended their lead at the top of the Bank’s Motor Group SWPL2.

Goals from Neve Guthrie, Cassie Cowper, Danni McGinley and a Molly Reeve own goal coupled with results elsewhere saw Graeme Hart’s side move three points clear of closest rivals Glasgow.

It was United’s first game in three weeks but just one change was made from that last game as Georgie Robb came in for her first start of the campaign.

The game started off with United keen to make their mark early on; Neve Guthrie and Chloe Clemison having efforts within the opening four minutes.

 Guthrie came close again with a shot that was dragged wide while at the other end Lisa Swanson fired straight into the arms of Lauren Perry.

In the 13th minute, Robyn Smith did well chasing down what looked to be a lost cause before sending a cross into the box for Rebecca Foote but the defender could only hook the ball over while off balance.

Perry was called into action again with an excellent save from Kirsty Munro before her fellow keeper Reeve did the same from Danni McGinley.

The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute after some excellent work from McGinley to beat Reeve to a loose ball and despite being forced wide she sent a lovely cross in for Guthrie to head home at the back post.

Foote and Smith had chances to double the advantage but the goal eventually came on the stroke of half-time. Cassie Cowper has developed a reputation for long-range strikes this season and it was yet another one as she curled a free-kick past Reeve from almost 35 yards out.

It didn’t take long after the break for United to further extend their lead as Danni McGinley was bundled over inside the box in the 50th minute. The top scorer brushed herself down and buried the penalty for her fourteenth goal of the season.

Three minutes later it was four when Robyn Smith’s corner was punched into her own net by Reeve with Smith, McLaren and Burns all claiming it was their goal.

McLaren almost got a goal of her own just sixty seconds later but was denied by the oncoming Reeve.

After scoring earlier with a header, Guthrie could have grabbed herself a second only for her effort to fly just wide.

Kilmarnock captain McLaughlin headed wide at the back post from a Robinson corner as they looked for a way back into the game.

Sub Mhairi Crooks fired wide from inside the six-yard box for the visitors while at the other end Clemison couldn’t find the target from distance.

The final twenty minutes saw little to no action with the only opportunity falling the way of Alex Middleton when she fired over the bar.

United saw out the game comfortable winners and were given another boost following the game as fellow title contenders Glasgow drew, meaning that Graeme Hart’s side went three points clear with a game in hand.

Despite the fact that they will top the league heading into 2022, they have the opportunity to extend their lead in the final game of the year when Glasgow come to the Regional Performance Centre this Sunday.

 Perry, Foote (Henderson 80), Burns, McLaren (Kern 67), Clemison, Cowper, Guthrie (Robson 80), McLaren, McGinley, Robb (L. Ross 61), Smith (Simson 61)

 Subs not used: E. Ross, Nachman