MATCH REPORT | UNITED DEFEATED AT TANNADICE

DUNDEE UNITED 1

ROSS COUNTY 3

3PM SATURDAY 13TH MAY

CINCH PREMIERSHIP

TANNADICE PARK

Attendance: 10,138

United suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since March. 

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that fell to defeat in Perth last weekend. 

Charlie Mulgrew missed out through suspension and was replaced by our Skipper, Ryan Edwards - allowing Academy graduate Lewis O’Donnell a place on the bench. Kieran Freeman also dropped to the bench, with Rory MacLeod earning a starting spot. 

Glenn Middleton was once again involved with the matchday squad - also named on the bench and keen to impress after not featuring as of yet under Goodwin. 

The match came too soon for Dylan Levitt - however, it’s hopeful he may play some part before the end of the campaign. 

AHEAD OF THE MATCH 

There was a warm welcome to Tannadice for two of our Scottish Cup-winning heroes as Craig Conway and Danny Swanson enjoyed the admiration of the fans. 

AN EARLY BLOW

The visitors opened the scoring inside 45 seconds. George Harmon’s deep corner caused problems and was nodded back across goal for Jordan White to head home from close range. 

UNITED UNPHASED 

The opening goal didn’t break the spirit of Jim Goodwin’s side - who enjoyed a plethora of first-half chances. 

Just after ten minutes, Ilmari Niskanen’s cross for Fletcher was well cut out by Jack Baldwin inside the area before Ian Harkes let fly from distance - comfortable for Ross Laidlaw who pushed wide. 

In the 13th minute, a surging run from Loick Ayina almost had us level. Harkes slid him through and after cooly beating his man inside the box, he fired over the bar with a left-footed effort. 

There were appeals for a United penalty on 16 minutes, as Craig Sibbald’s cross was deflected onto the arm of Alex Samuel by Victor Loturi. However, play continued and Fletcher was twice denied by goalline clearances. 

ICE IN THE VEINS

We had a well-deserved equaliser just after twenty minutes. 

It came via more United pressure, this time Fletcher flicking on a long ball for Aziz Behich. The Australian lifted his head to look for Fletcher at the back post but his cross was well-defended by Jack Baldwin. 

On the recycle of play, Behich fired in another cross - this time it was blocked by Josh Sims on its way through. John Beaton was advised to have a look at the monitor following the ball coming off the County man’s arm in the box, and he indeed pointed to the penalty spot. 

Jamie McGrath stepped up from twelve yards, and as calm as you like slotted the ball into the bottom corner, sending Laidlaw the wrong way. 

United were certainly on the hunt for a second as we approached half-time. Sibbald went the closest with an effort from distance but it finished even at the break. 

NOT TO BE

As we approached the hour mark, Ross County had their second of the afternoon in strange circumstances. 

A long ball was headed back towards goal by Yan Dhanda and some clever hold-up from Alex Samuel shrugged off Scott McMann. As the Staggies broke in numbers, the ball was played wide to the substitute Nohan Kenneh, whose scuffed cross was turned home by White for his second of the afternoon. 

With just under twenty to play, White had his hat trick as the ball was slid across the face of goal for him to tap home. 

United responded with three substitutions, Ryan Edwards, Harkes and MacLeod all being replaced by Kai Fotheringham, Mathew Cudjoe and Glenn Middleton. 

The Terrors huffed and puffed for the remaining 15 minutes but were unable to work Laidlaw. 

TEAMLINE 

Starting XI: Birighitti, McMann, Niskanen, Fletcher, Edwards (73’ Fotheringham), Sibbald, Behich, McGrath, Harkes (73’ Cudjoe), Ayina, MacLeod (73’ Middleton)

Unused subs: Newman, Graham, Djoum, Freeman, Thomson, O'Donnell

NEXT UP 

We’re back on the road next Saturday, taking on Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena - unbeaten there in our previous two outings this campaign. 

It’s a 3pm kick-off in West Lothian, CLICK HERE for full ticket details.