MATCH REPORT | MORTON HIT BACK TO SHARE THE SPOILS AT TANNADICE

DUNDEE UNITED 1 (Moult 18’)

GREENOCK MORTON 1 (Muirhead 58’)

3PM SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2023

TANNADICE PARK

CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 7,075

United finish the match with ten men as the points are shared at Tannadice. 

THE TEAM TALK 

Jim Goodwin made two changes from last weekend's SPFL Trust Trophy victory over Dunfermline Athletic. 

Kevin Holt and Mathew Cudjoe both return to the starting eleven - with Ross Graham and Kai Fotheringham taking their place on the bench. 

The match again came too early for Skipper Ross Docherty, however, there were welcome returns to the bench for Craig Sibbald and Chris Mochrie - who both missed recent weeks through injury. 

Seven DUFC Academy graduates featured in our matchday squad - with Declan Glass keeping his place in the eleven following impressive displays in his last three starts.

TOING AND FROING

The visitors were pegged back in the opening exchanges and our first effort on goal fell inside five minutes. 

It's proved a common theme this season - Scott McMann working space for a cross down the left. An inviting delivery was headed clear only as far as Glass who volleyed over the bar with his first-time effort. 

Robbie Muirhead had Morton’s first effort of the match but his free-kick following Jordan Tillson’s foul was wildly high off the mark. 

Morton went close to opening the scoring through Steven Boyd after 17 minutes when his effort from range crashed off the post.

IN COMMAND

It was a familiar old story for our number nine who notched his third cinch Championship goal of the season. 

Starting the move off, Moult worked the ball out wide before bursting into the penalty area. Returning the favour, Glass delivered a teasing cross which was nodded down into the far corner by Moult to give us the lead.

There was little to write home about in the second part of the half as United went in at the break goal to the good. 

SECOND PERIOD

With 48 minutes on the clock, the away side appealed for a penalty as Lewis McGrattan went down inside the area. It was clever play from Boyd initially as he skipped past Liam Grimshaw before sliding the ball across the box. There didn’t look much in it as Morton’s number 17 went to ground, and didn’t himself add to his teammates’ protests. 

Ten minutes after the restart a strong save from Morton’s substitute ‘keeper Ryan Mullen denied us our second of the afternoon. 

Commanding play from Declan Gallagher set up the chance as he took control of the ball and cantered out of defence. A delicate chipped ball over the top was neatly taken into stride by Middleton, but Mullen was out quickly to smother and send the ball behind for a corner. 

A SHOT IN THE FOOT

The game seemed to gain an edge in the minutes prior to Morton finding their equaliser. 

Appeals for a United penalty and some agro outside the box were waved away as the battle became a bit more scrappy. 

With 58 minutes on the clock, the visitors drew level. Miscommunication at the back saw Gallagher head the ball beyond the on-rushing Jack Walton for Muirhead to capitalise and blast home into an empty net. 

Five minutes after the equaliser, Cudjoe was shown a straight red card after being hauled to ground in a challenge. 

Two changes followed with Watt and Glass being replaced by Fotheringham and Sibbald. 

STILL CREATING 

United had chances as the game drew to an end. 

Moult went close as he met Middleton's free-kick, heading on to the outside of the post. 

Our number nine was again denied, this time by Mullen as his snapshot was saved from close range. 

Goodwin's side continued to pepper the Morton penalty area but to no avail as the referee brought the game to a close with the score level.  

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

This afternoon's Player of the Match chosen by our Matchday Sponsor is Louis Moult!

TEAMLINES

Dundee United FC

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Moult, Middleton, Tillson, Glass, Cudjoe, Gallagher, Watt, McMann
 
Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Sibbald, Meekison, Fotheringham, Freeman, Mochrie, Stirton

Greenock Morton

Starting XI: McDonald, Baird, Waters, Boyd, Blues, Muirhead, Crawford, Broadfoot, McGrattan, Power, French

Subs: Mullen, O’Connor, Bearne, Gilliespie, Wilson, Davidson, Keay

NEXT UP

Our only away outing of the month comes next weekend, as we travel North to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 

CLICK HERE for ticket details!