First Team

MATCH REPORT | UNITED HIT BACK AT RAITH

7th October 2023

RAITH ROVERS 1 (Vaughan 23’)
DUNDEE UNITED 1 (Moult 67')
3PM SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023
STARK’S PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 6,808

United remain unbeaten in league business as we came from behind to earn a point in Kirkcaldy. 

THE TEAM TALK 

The side remained unchanged at Stark's Park as Jim Goodwin went with the same eleven that ran out 4-1 winners at Tannadice last weekend. 

After his brace last time out, Tony Watt led the line, while there was a welcome return for Louis Moult on the bench. 

Jordan Tillson also returned to the squad following his suspension. 

Seven DUFC Academy graduates were featured in this afternoon's matchday squad.

A PEDESTRIAN OPENING

There was little to write home about in the opening exchanges.

Lewis Vaughan had the game’s first sighting at goal when he fired from distance, but Jack Walton was equal to it as he got down low to gather comfortably.  

United first tested Kevin Dabrowski as the clock hit 19 minutes. A quick tangerine move saw Watt race down the left before cutting the ball across to Kai Fotheringham. The Academy graduate touched it goalwards from close range but a sliding challenge from Liam Dick kept his effort out. 

As the ball broke to the edge of the box, Ross Docherty fizzed an effort just over the bar. 

United again went close with a sweeping move. Docherty and Fotheringham were involved once more with a clever link-up before the latter teed up Watt. He struck at goal but Dabrowski pushed the ball clear of any danger.  

FALLING BEHIND

The hosts had the lead on 23 minutes through Vaughan. 

Left unmarked following a cross, the Raith striker headed onto the post before slotting the ball home at the second time of asking. 

There were flashes at goal for Goodwin's side as the half drew to a close. 

Causing problems down our left, Scott McMann slid the ball to Glenn Middleton but his low cross flashed across the face of goal - just ahead of Watt on the stretch. Liam Grimshaw picked up the pieces at the back post to lash it back into the penalty area but again the danger was cleared.

It looked like we may have tested Dabrowski once more in a bustling penalty area but cautions for both Kevin Holt and Dylan Easton were the height of the first-half stoppage-time action. 

UPPING THE TEMPO

Just moments after the restart, Fotheringham worked his way into the box but had the ball taken off his toes just before he could pull the trigger. 

Holt had our next attempt on goal but headed well over the bar from a corner.  

We rolled the dice on 57 minutes with our first change of the afternoon: 

It was a change that paid off as less than ten minutes later our number nine headed us level! 

United won a corner following Dabrowski's save which in truth could have been more comfortable for the Raith 'keeper. Middleton's cross landed in the centre of the box for Moult who left Dabrowski with no chance as he headed home from close range. 

Two separate changes followed as we approached the latter stages: 

OFF: Glass and Gallagher

ON: Tillson and Graham

ALMOST SNATCHING IT

The pressure mounted on the hosts as United pushed for a late winner. 

The closest we came was through Middleton, who forced Dabrowski into a smart save from distance in the dying moments. 

It's a point that keeps United top of the cinch Championship table. 

 

TEAMLINES
Raith Rovers

Starting XI: Dabrowski, Dick, Mullen, Murray, Vaughan, Smith, Mullin, Stanton, Brown (c), Byrne, Easton 

Subs: Connolly, Gullan, McGill, Hannah, Masson

Dundee United FC

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

Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Moult, Tillson, Freeman, Mochrie, Moore, Stirton

NEXT UP

We’re in SPFL Trust Trophy action next week as we travel to face Peterhead. 

CLICK HERE for ticket and match details!

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