MATCH REPORT | UNITED KEPT AT BAY IN OPENING MID-SEASON FRIENDLY

DUNDEE UNITED 0-2 SWANSEA CITY
MID-SEASON FRIENDLY

12PM SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2022

TANNADICE PARK

Goals in either half ensured victory for the Swans as we kicked off the first of our mid-season friendlies with a tough test at Tannadice. 

SHAPING UP

It’s been three weeks since the Terrors were last in action - with Liam Fox making six changes to the side that were defeated by Aberdeen back in mid-November. 

In: Jack Newman, Charlie Mulgrew, Ilmari Niskanen, Ian Harkes, Archie Meekison and Arnaud Djoum. 

Out: Mark Birighitti, Aziz Behich, Craig Sibbald, Jamie McGrath, Dylan Levitt and Kieran Freeman. 

OPENING FIFTEEN 

The visitors enjoyed the better of the possession in the early encounters and had two quick sightings at goal. 

Inside the first two minutes, Luke Cundle - who was involved in a lot of Swansea’s good link-up play - slipped a cushioned pass through for Jamie Paterson but he was only able to fire high and wide of the target. 

A quick interchange between full-back Ryan Manning and Cundle allowed the young midfielder - on loan from Wolves - inside the area. A neat touch opened up a pocket of space but he dragged his shot just past Newman's near post. 

Just after a quarter of an hour, a superb outside-of-the-foot pass from Djoum found Steven Fletcher through on goal but our number nine couldn’t take the ball in his stride as he moved towards goal. 

Djoum was involved once more for United in the 28th minute. He weaved his way between defenders inside the Swansea penalty area. Keeping his cool, he looked up and tried to pick out Niskanen but Steven Benda was able to gather at the feet of our Finnish international. 

SWANSEA PRESSURE

Russell Martin’s side had the ball in the net after 32 minutes before it was pulled back for offside. It was a sweeping move from the Championship side. Jay Fulton picked out Joel Piroe with a through ball. After working the ball out of his feet, he slotted home only for the linesman to cut short his celebrations. 

From the resulting free-kick, the Swans won the ball back immediately inside the United box but a smart stop from Newman kept it goalless. 

Two minutes before the break, Liam Smith looked for Newman with a backpass but it was cleverly read and intercepted by Paterson. The Swansea midfielder stayed composed to round the 'keeper and pass the ball into the net - giving the visitors a deserved lead at the break. 

Fletcher almost equalised with the last kick of the half but his header from range dropped just wide of the post. 

It was 45 minutes in which United were penned inside their own half for the majority, and struggled to escape the Swansea press.  

FRESHENING IT UP

Head Coach Liam Fox opted to make six changes to the side that finished the half. 

Charlie Mulgrew, Ilmari Niskanen, Steven Fletcher, Arnaud Djoum, Glenn Middleton and Ian Harkes all made way at the break. 

They were replaced by Tony Watt, Kieran Freeman, Scott McMann, Jamie McGrath, Craig Sibbald and Rory MacLeod.

The United changes instantly appeared to offer more of an attacking threat as we pushed more bodies forward in search of an equaliser. 

Watt had a chance to bring us level, latching onto a slack pass and attempting a lofted effort over Benda but it was no trouble for the Swansea 'keeper. 

TWO TO THE GOOD

Swansea substitute Matt Sorinola had a glorious chance to double their lead, but he blazed his half-volley over the bar with the goal gaping. 

However, they did have their second of the afternoon with just 20 to play. 

Full-back Ryan Manning latched onto a long through-pass and raced towards goal finishing low beyond Newman at his near-post to double the visitor's advantage.

STILL PUSHING

Liam Fox's side showed glimpses of quality in the second period, with substitute Mathew Cudjoe being heavily involved in some of our best spells as the clock ticked on. 

Sustained pressure inside the Swansea half created a half-chance for McMann outside the box but he couldn't direct his left-footed effort on target. 

A low strike from MacLeod was the closest we came to halving the deficit, but his goalbound effort was blocked on the line by a combination of Benda and Joel Cotterill. 

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Newman, Smith (Cudjoe 63'), Mulgrew (McMann 45'), Graham, Niskanen (Freeman 45'), Fletcher (Sibbald 45'), Djoum (McGrath 45'), Edwards (c), Middleton (MacLeod 45'), Meekison, Harkes (Watt 45').

Unused subs: Birighitti, Eriksson, A.Sadat, Duffy, Robson, Thomson.  

NEXT UP 

We’re back at Tannadice next Saturday taking on Ayr United in our final friendly before returning to league action. 

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