MATCH REPORT | UNITED STRIKE LATE TO EARN A POINT AT TANNADICE

Dundee United 1 (Cudjoe 90+5')

Dunfermline 1 (Wighton 62’)

3pm Saturday 12 August 2023

Tannadice Park

cinch Championship

Attendance: 8,892

A stunner from Mathew Cudjoe ensures the points are shared on Matchday Two of the cinch Championship.  

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made just one change to the side that cruised to victory in Arbroath. 

It was an enforced one at that, with Ross Docherty picking up a minor knock during the week. He was replaced by Kieran Freeman as Liam Grimshaw took his place in midfield.

All four of last week’s goalscorers were involved alongside an unchanged back four. 

There were places on the bench for Logan Chalmers and Kai Fotheringham, who both returned to the fold following recent injuries. 

GETTING TO GRIPS

United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in what was a relatively tame first forty-five. 

Our first sighting at goal came within seven minutes following a tidy combination between Cudjoe and Tony Watt. It was the latter who found himself in space on the right, but his shot dragged narrowly wide of the far post. 

Just two minutes later, a strong save from Jack Walton denied Aaron Comrie as he fired at goal from inside twelve yards. As United looked to break, a cynical foul from Christopher Hamilton on Watt saw him receive the first caution of the match. 

Gilt-edged chances were few and far between. However, we did almost take the lead courtesy of our own goal. A tenacious, bursting run from Scott McMann down the left allowed him to work the ball across the face of the box in search of a tangerine shirt. It was in fact Comrie who almost turned the ball into his own net but luckily for the Pars Harrison Sharp was on hand to gather. 

Watt and Moult both had efforts blocked en route to goal before a last-ditch block from Holt stopped the visitors from going in front. 

After being drafted in from the start, Freeman’s race was run after just 32 mimes when he was forced off through injury. He was replaced by Archie Meekison with Grimshaw being re-deployed at right back. 

A goalless half petered out in the torrential rain at Tannadice. 

SECOND 45

Much like the first half, United’s first opening came inside the opening ten minutes. After wriggling clear of the Pars’ midfield, Cudjoe looked to curl one into the top corner, but a smart stop from Sharp kept United at bay. 

Just beyond the hour, the visitors took the lead. A cross into a dangerous area was glanced goalward by Craig Wighton - finding the far corner to put the Pars ahead. 

Meekison almost pulled us level just minutes later - shooting across goal from a narrow-angle. Unfortunately for the Academy graduate, it landed just wide of the far post. 

Two separate United changes followed:

OFF: Middleton and Watt

ON: Fotheringham and Glass

Fotheringham almost made an instant impact, but Cudjoe’s cross was just too high for our number 18 to connect. 

Cudjoe himself was inches away with a well-struck volley. A neat flick over a defender inside the box kept the ball alive before his thunderous volley crashed just wide. 

GRINDING IT OUT

Deep into five minutes of injury time, Cudjoe did have a deserved goal - his second in as many games.

United broke down the left in search of an equaliser. Coming inside, Fotheringham worked the ball to Cudjoe, who found himself in acres of space 25 yards from goal.

After a touch to get it out his feet, he arrowed a left-footed effort into the top right corner, leaving Sharp rooted to the spot. 

It proved to be the final action point of the match as we take a point at Tannadice. 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH 

This afternoon's ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? chosen by our Match Sponsor @DC_Thomson ????@CudjoeAnim | #UTDDUN | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/Z0SXqOUaXd

— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 12, 2023

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS

???? "For the boys to show the character they did, fighting until the end - they deserve a lot of credit for that. We're not happy to draw the game but lesser teams would have given up with five or ten minutes to go."#DUFC Manager Jim Goodwin reflects on #UTDDUN ???? pic.twitter.com/q2CGKny79i

— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 12, 2023

 TEAMLINES

Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Moult, Sibbald, Middleton, Freeman, Cudjoe, Gallagher, Watt (C), McMann

Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Chalmers, Meekison, Fotheringham, Glass, Duffy, MacLeod

Dunfermline 

Starting XI: Sharp, Comrie, Edwards, Benedictus (C), Hamilton, Otto, Chalmers, Wighton, Fisher, Allan, O’Halloran

Subs: Little, Summers, Fenton, Sutherland, Tod

NEXT UP

The Terrors are next in competitive action in a fortnight’s time, taking on Ayr United at Somerset Park. 

Full ticket details will be available in due course.