MATCH REPORT | SAINTS HIT BACK TO TAKE THREE POINTS AT TANNADICE

DUNDEE UNITED 1-2 ST JOHNSTONE
3PM SATURDAY 18TH FEBRUARY
CINCH PREMIERSHIP 

Stevie May's double stole the points at Tannadice.  

THE TEAM TALK

There was a change in formation this afternoon as United opted for four at the back. The recalled Academy graduate Kai Fotheringham got his first start following 17 goal contributions whilst at Stirling Albion. 

Loick Ayina was also available for selection despite his red card in last weekend’s Scottish Cup clash with Kilmarnock. 

There was also a welcome return to the fold for Jamie McGrath who has been missing since picking up a knock in the warm-up against Hearts. 

END TO END 

After a positive start from United, the game eventually evened up, with both sides showing intent in the first 15 minutes. 

The first foray forward came courtesy of a United counter, Aziz Behich looking to cut one back which was well dealt with by the Saints' defence. 

Dylan Levitt was next up to have a go for United with a first-time effort but failed to test Remi Matthews. 

With twelve minutes on the clock, Cameron MacPherson’s effort from range called Mark Birighitti into action but it was easy pickings for the United ‘keeper. The tangerines retaliated with a quick counter, winning a corner following Sibbald’s in-swinging free kick.

The ball broke to the edge of the box for Liam Smith who teed up Levitt with a cushioned pass, but his effort was high and wide of the target. 

Saints’ best opportunity of the half came courtesy of Adam Montgomery’s low cross across the six-yard box - which was thankfully just out of Stevie May’s reach. 

Fotheringham’s debut was almost off to a flyer, just inches away from connecting with Smith’s cross. It was a clever move from Liam Fox’s side who found a dangerous opening down St Johnstone’s left. Smith did well to dig out his delivery before the ball crossed the line, but it was just too high for the Academy graduate to glance it home. 

United's next opportunity came as Behich slid in McGrath following some neat hold up as he looked for an opening. However, it came to nothing as the Irishman's pass across the six-yard box was cut out by James Brown before it could find Steven Fletcher. 

SAINTS HIT THE FRONT

A goal looked on the cards for both sides but it was the visitors who took the lead just after the half-hour mark. 

Finding space down the right, Melker Hallberg set himself and delivered a cross for May who's clever movement opened up space in the box for a first-time finish low beyond Birighitti. 

A snapshot from Liam Smith was the last United chance of the half but his first-time half-volley was wide of the mark.  

A BRIGHT SPARK

The aforementioned Fotheringham looked sharp following the restart and some smart play almost had us level. 

Some trickery and close control left Mitchell chasing as he raced to the byline and cut back for Sibbald. A few ricochets later, the ball looked certain to bulge the net, but a last-ditch block kept United at bay. 

Another sighting at goal came a few moments later when Ayina’s cross from deep found Fletcher, but his looping header landed just wide of Matthew’s right-hand post. 

The Saints almost had their second just ten minutes after the restart. Phillips held off several challenges inside the United box before beating Birighitti to the ball, but couldn’t find a purple shirt with a weak pass. 

UNITED PUSHING

A multitude of chances fell United's way as we entered the final twenty-five minutes. 

Fotheringham went close again as McGrath’s corner was nodded into his path by Mulgrew - but under pressure from a number of purple shirts he couldn’t get a clean strike at goal. 

Two blocks in quick succession then denied Smith and then Mulgrew who let fly from the edge of the box - a strike which indeed would have troubled the Saints' goal. 

One of our many corners this afternoon was met by Sibbald, whose glancing header was only kept out by a combination of defence and goalkeeper on the line.  

ON TERMS 

It took something special, but we had our equaliser with just less than ten to play. Ayina worked the ball to the Welshman who curled a superb effort from distance low into the bottom corner - the bounce taking it away from Matthews. 

SAINTS HIT BACK

However, United were undone quickly, with Stevie May sliding in on Birighitti to restore the visitors’ lead.

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Birighitti (85’ Newman), Smith, Mulgrew, Fletcher, Djoum, Sibbald, Behich, McGrath (75’ MacLeod), Levitt, Fotheringham (90’ Cudjoe), Ayina

Unused subs: McMann, Graham, Niskanen, A.Sadat, Freeman, Thomson