First Team

MATCH REPORT | UNITED BOW OUT OF THE SCOTTISH CUP

11th February 2023

DUNDEE UNITED 0-1 KILMARNOCK
3PM SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY
SCOTTISH CUP FIFTH ROUND 
TANNADICE PARK

Kyle Vassell’s second-half header sends Kilmarnock through to the next round. 


THE TEAMTALK 

Liam Fox named Loick Ayina amongst the starting eleven, making his debut for United. Also involved from the start were Mathew Cudjoe and Ilmari Niskanen - The Finnish international keeping his place in the side following an impressive display at Tynecastle last weekend. 

Miller Thomson featured on the bench alongside Greg Petrie - a stalwart for United’s Young Terrors - who was included in the matchday squad for the first time.  


A FITTING TRIBUTE

Before kick-off, there was a minute of applause from both sets of fans as we celebrated the life and career of our legendary goalkeeper Billy Thomson. 

A TAME AFFAIR

The first half lacked any real quality from either side. Both Mark Birighitti and Sam Walker had no real tests throughout the first 45. 

It took fifteen minutes for the first flashpoint of the half. Vassell’s clever chest found the onrushing Brad Lyons who clipped a shot towards goal. There were appeals for a penalty as the ball looked to come off Scott McMann’s right arm but it was nothing doing in the eyes of the referee. 

Efforts from Rory McKenzie and Vassell further tested United but failed to break the deadlock. 

 

SECOND HALF INTENT

The men in mint looked in the ascendency during the opening period of the second half. 

We had a penalty appeal of our own just minutes after the restart. It was Liam Smith who intercepted Walker’s kick, his knockdown finding Cudjoe deep in the Killie half. He raced down the right and fired a cross into the box which looked to ricochet off of Joe Wright's arm in the middle of the penalty area. 

The referee dismissed all claims as the ball fell to Sibbald on the edge of the box but his sweetly struck volley was parried wide by Walker. 

The chance seemed to spur United on, and we had another sighting at goal moments later. 

Working it from back to front, Mulgrew’s long pass found Fletcher who cushioned it down for Liam Smith. Our number two worked it wide before darting into the box to meet Middleton’s clipped cross - his header just kissing the bar on its way over. 

 

AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY

Despite United’s pressure, it was Kilmarnock who opened the scoring just ten minutes after the restart. 

Armstrong’s in-swinging corner was met in the air by Vassell who nodded the ball home to break the deadlock. 

 

 
SWITCHING IT UP

Just before the hour mark Behich was on to replace Niskanen before another change minutes later saw Cudjoe make way for Rory MacLeod as we pushed for an equaliser.  

 
DOWN TO TEN 

After what in truth was a promising performance, a first-half booking followed by a late challenge on Vassell meant Ayina was given his marching orders by Alan Muir with just 12 minutes to play. 

It didn’t seem to break United’s spirit, still having chances to equalise through some dangerous dead-balls into the box. 

The closest we came to restoring parity was in the 87th minute. 

A route one ball from Birighitti was headed into no-mans land by a Kilmarnock defender. Behich picked up the bouncing ball 30 yards from goal and let fly with a ferocious half volley which crashed off the crossbar. 

Kilmarnock had chances to double their lead as United pushed forwards but Vassell’s header proved the only goal of the game to send the visitors through to the Quarter Final. 

 

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS

 

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Birighitti, Smith, McMann, Mulgrew, Niskanen (57’ Behich), Fletcher, Sibbald, Middleton (89’ A.Sadat), Levitt, Ayina, Cudjoe (63’ MacLeod)

Unused subs: Newman, Graham, DjouM, Freeman, Thomson, Petrie


NEXT UP

It’s back to league business next weekend as we celebrate Legends Day at Tannadice. 

CLICK HERE for full details. 
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