First Team

MATCH REPORT | SCORE DRAW KEEPS UNITED TOP

4th November 2023

DUNDEE UNITED 1 (Holt 56')
INVERNESS CT 1 (Shaw 50')
3PM SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2023
TANNADICE PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 7,602

United remain unbeaten in the league as we have to settle for a point against Inverness. 

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made three changes to the side that defeated Airdrieonians in midweek.

Leaving the pitch after 20 minutes through injury, this afternoon’s match came too early for Ross Docherty who was replaced by Jordan Tillson in the centre of the park. It meant our Vice Captain Tony Watt took the armband this afternoon. 

Louis Moult was back amongst the starters alongside Academy graduate Kieran Freeman - with Declan Glass dropping to the bench and Liam Grimshaw missing through illness. 

There were eight Academy graduates included in our matchday squad. 

SETTING UP

There was a change in shape from our last outing, the Gaffer seeming to go more gung-ho in what was essentially a 4-2-4 whilst in possession. 

Our earliest sighting at goal came inside a minute when Glenn Middleton looked to catch Mark Ridgers out with a shot rather than a cross from wide left. 

There was a real belief in the United side in the early moments as twice Kai Fotheringham was denied, first through a sliding block from Cameron Harper before Ridgers got down low to save his effort moments later. 

There were appeals for a penalty on ten minutes when Moult took the ball under control before being dragged to the ground inside the area but it was nothing doing in the eyes of Don Robertson.

After a slow start, the visitors got a foothold in the game. There were some tidy interchanges inside the United half without really testing Jack Walton. 

The Englishman was eventually called into action when Max Anderson managed to wriggle the ball out from under his own feet to tee up Billy McKay, but the former United man was denied by Walton who spread himself to close any angle. The visitors will feel aggrieved from the resultant corner when Daniel Devine could only head over whilst unmarked inside the box.  

On 28 minutes, Middleton almost fashioned the opener when his cross-cum-shot flashed just wide of the post as Moult tried to reach it. Our number 15 was involved again moments later as United countered in numbers. With a bursting 40-yard run, Middleton found himself inside the area where loud appeals for a penalty followed as his cross was blocked en route - again, nothing given. 

There was a big opportunity for Moult to add to his already impressive tally, but as he slid to meet Watt's cross he could only divert the ball wide. 

Somehow it remained level after our best chance of the half five minutes from time. From a United corner, Kevin Holt's snapshot was well saved by Ridgers but only into the path of McMann - who couldn't keep his effort down from six yards out. 

RUEING CHANCES AND BACK ON TERMS

Five minutes after the break, a ruthless counter from the visitors had them a goal to the good. It came as Harper raced away down the left before pulling the ball across the box to eventually find Nathan Shaw who slotted home. 

However, Inverness' lead was short-lived as United hit back just over five minutes later. A clever pass through the lines from Declan Gallagher was sent behind for a corner by Charlie Gilmour as United mounted the pressure. It was Fotheringham who sent in the resultant cross, and our goal machine Holt was on hand to bullet a header past Ridgers. 

All told, there was plenty of United pressure as the minutes ticked on, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by for both sides. 

Middleton had a last-gasp effort as the ball broke inside the box, but his half-volley was well blocked and the game finished level.  

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
NEXT UP

We're on the road in the #cinchChamp with a Friday night clash under the East End Park lights.

Tickets are available HERE! 

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