First Team

MATCH REPORT | FOTHERINGHAM AT THE DOUBLE AS UNITED STAY TOP

31st October 2023

AIRDRIEONIANS 0
DUNDEE UNITED 2 (Fotheringham 19' 52')
7.45PM TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2023
EXCELSIOR STADIUM
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 2,402

There were no Halloween scares for the Terrors as we took all three points in Airdrie. 

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made one change to the team that ran out 6-0 winners over Arbroath on Friday night. Louis Moult was the one rested, with Declan Glass being named in the starting eleven. 

Six academy graduates were involved in our matchday squad. 

FEELING IT OUT

Shaping up in a similar formation, United did well to nullify the hosts' ball players early on, forcing Airdrieonians to go long - which proved a common theme for most of the night. It was a tactic that seemed to with the Terrors enjoying the lion's share of possession early in the piece. 

Our first sighting at goal was an audacious one as the clock hit fifteen minutes. Spotting Josh Rae well off his line, Glass fired at goal from over 30 yards but his effort was just high of the mark. 

There was an early upset in the United camp as Ross Docherty had to be replaced on 19 minutes following a knock. Jordan Tillson was the one to take his place from the bench.

Just moments after the change, United hit the front. 

It was no surprise that the man top of the cinch Championship assist charts, Glenn Middleton, delivered another wicked ball into the area, eventually finding Fotheringham inside the box. Chesting it down to gain control, our Academy graduate then made no mistake in rifling the ball low into the net to give us the lead.

The hosts' best chance of the half came via a quick counter which was eventually worked across to Lewis McGregor inside the box - with a smart save from Jack Walton needed to keep United ahead. 

Minutes later, a strong sliding block from Declan Gallagher thwarted Murray Aiken before he could pull the trigger from eight yards. 

There was a big chance to double our lead just minutes before the break but an unorthodox block from Rae kept Middleton's effort out - leading to a stoppage in play as the Airdrie 'keeper received treatment. 

KAI AT THE DOUBLE

Just seven minutes after the restart Fotheringham's second of the night had us two to the good! 

It came as Airdie tried to play out, with Watt picking up on the loose ball and sliding it to Glass on the edge of the box. A clever pass between the lines then found Fotheringham who took one touch before curling home on his left foot - his fourth goal in his last five league outings!

There was little else action as the game petered out, with late substitute Mathew Cudjoe looking the most likely to add to our lead. 

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
 
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
 
TEAMLINES
AIRDRIEONIANS

Starting XI: Rae, Ballantyne, Fordyce, McGregor, Frizzell, Todorov, McStravick, Megwa, Watson, Aiken, Telfer

Subs: Hutton, Taylor-Sinclair, McCabe, Hancock, O'Connor, Gallagher, Dunlop, McGill, Spalding

DUNDEE UNITED

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

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

NEXT UP

We return to home soil this weekend as Duncan Ferguson's Inverness visit for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.

Tickets are available HERE!

There is limited availability in hospitality, with places starting from just £55+VAT.

CLICK HERE to book your place!

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