First Team

MATCH REPORT | WATT AT THE DOUBLE AS UNITED PUT THE SPIDERS' TO THE SWORD

30th September 2023

DUNDEE UNITED 4 (Watt 37’ 61', McMann 56', Fotheringham 68')
QUEEN’S PARK 1 (Thomson ‘1)
3PM SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
TANNADICE PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 7,256

A clinical second-half showing keeps United top as we go ten unbeaten!

THE TEAM TALK 

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that defeated Inverness late on last weekend. 

Louis Moult missed out through injury whilst Archie Meekison featured on the bench. 

Their replacements were Tony Watt and Kai Fotheringham, the latter starting his first league match of the season. 

Nine DUFC Academy graduates featured in our matchday squad, with Keir Bertie being named on the bench for the first time this campaign. 

AN EARLY BLOW

It was an uncharacteristic start for United, who fell behind after just 43 seconds. The goal came largely out of nothing when Ruari Paton teed up Jack Thomson on the edge of the area, and the midfielder opened the scoring with a killer finish into the bottom corner. 

United had an opportunity to hit back almost immediately when Glenn Middleton’s low cross found Watt inside the area, but our number 32’s effort was comfortably held by Calum Ferris. 

Again Watt looked for goal as we approached the ten-minute mark but he could only head Scott McMann’s cross wide of the target.

Fotheringham almost marked his start with a goal, latching onto Robson’s wayward header inside the Queen’s Park penalty area. However, the onrushing Ferrie was out to meet him and he could only lift his left-footed lob over the crossbar. 

DRAWING LEVEL

Moments after Kevin Holt headed Middleton’s corner narrowly wide, Watt brought us level with a close-range finish. 

Again it was Middleton the provider, driving at the Spiders’ defence and cutting the ball across the face of goal for Watt to tap home!

The first-half action ceased Thomson being cautioned following a heavy sliding challenge on Liam Grimshaw. 

HITTING THE FRONT

Just ten minutes after the restart Goodwin’s side took the lead.

Combative midfield play from Liam Grimshaw saw him win the ball back deep in the Queen’s Park half before rolling in Glass down the right. The DUFC Academy graduate opened up space with a neat stepover before firing the ball across the box. It looked to be flicked on by Watt towards the back-post where the on-rushing McMann slammed home from three yards out! 

WATT AT THE DOUBLE

No less than five minutes later we doubled our advantage with a quick breakaway. 

It was a sharp move as a long diagonal ball found Middleton racing clear down United’s left. Taking on his man, he created space for a teasing low cross which found Watt unmarked at the back post to slide home!

The assists kept coming for Middleton who notched his third of the afternoon. Silky footwork saw him lose Robson before standing the ball up for Fotheringham to glance home! 

ASSERTING AUTHORITY

The game was wrapped up by the time our Academy graduate added the fourth, but Declan Gallagher and Holt maintained their high standards with a number of blocks to thwart any potential Queen's Park consolation. 

There were three separate late changes as we comfortably picked up the points at Tannadice.

OFF: Glass, Docherty and Watt

ON: Meekison, Mochrie and Stirton  

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
TEAMLINES
Dundee United FC

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Sibbald, Middleton, Fotheringham, Glass, Docherty (c), Gallagher, Watt, McMann

Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Meekison, Freeman, Mochrie, Moore, Bertie, Stirton

Queen’s Park

Starting XI: Ferrie, McPherson, Robson, Bannon, Fox, Spong, Hepburn, Thomson, Paton, Thomas (c), Longridge

Subs: Healy, Tizzard, Bruce, Turner, Waugh, Jarrett, McCormick, McLeish, McKenna

NEXT UP

It's a top-of-the-table clash next weekend as we travel to Fife to take on Raith Rovers. 

CLICK HERE for full ticket details! 

 

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