First Team

MATCH REPORT | FOTHERINGHAM'S STRIKE KEEPS UNITED TOP

9th December 2023

DUNDEE UNITED 1 (FOTHERINGHAM 63')
AYR UNITED 0
3PM SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 2023
TANNADICE PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 7,000

United edge out The Honest Men in a tense Tannadice affair. 

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made one change to his Dundee United side from our last outing against Queen of the South. 

It was a reshuffle of the Academy pack as Chris Mochrie was preferred to Declan Glass in-behind Louis Moult. Six Academy graduates were involved in our matchday squad this afternoon. 

There was more positive news as Ross Docherty made consecutive starts whilst Tony Watt was back on the bench after missing out at Cappielow through injury.

AN ENERGETIC OPENING

It was a bright start from the men in tangerine as we carved open our first opportunity inside the 60 seconds. Combative play from Craig Sibbald saw him steal the ball in the centre of the park before United swarmed forward in numbers. It was an early save from Charlie Albinson that followed as he was equal to Mochrie's left-footed effort from the edge of the box. 

Moult thought he had opened the scoring on three minutes when clever movement inside the area allowed him to touch home Glenn Middleton's cross at the front post. However, the linesman on the far side had his flag up early for offside to quell any undue celebrations. 

We did ride our luck on 13 minutes as pedestrian play at the back allowed Fraser Bryden to nip in and steal the ball. His effort looked certain to break the deadlock but last-ditch defending from Kevin Holt kept the score level.

IDENTIFYING AN OPPORTUNITY

Middleton continued to cause the visitors problems with several teasing deliveries into the danger area. Kai Fotheringham went close with a header but his effort landed on the roof of the net. With less than half an hour on the clock, it resulted in an Ayr United change as Nick McAllister was replaced by Elicha Ahui following his torrid opening which included the first caution of the half.

However, it was a less than inspired change as Ahui fell foul to waves of United pressure - seeing him also booked for hauling Scott McMann to the ground. 

Two big chances fell either side of Ayr's best opportunity as Anton Dowds glanced a header narrowly past the post. 

We were almost gifted the opener on 38 minutes as Albinson's clearance fell straight to Docherty, but the visitors 'keeper made amends as he saved our Skipper's first-time effort. Fotheringham was the other who went close. Again Middleton was the provider but our Academy graduate could only slice his effort wide as the half drew to a close.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

Again we were on the front foot from the off, almost finding the net inside a minute of the second half. 

Clever play from Fotheringham allowed him to jink into space before cutting the ball back for Middleton in the middle of the visitors' penalty area. He pulled the trigger with a fierce effort but Mochrie was in the way and the ball deflected over the bar.

Finally, the breakthrough came just after the hour mark. 

A United corner resulted in a penalty box stramash in which Middleton's effort was blocked by an array of white shirts - falling behind for another corner. This time, Albinson came out to try and gather the delivery at the near post but could only flap at his effort - allowing the ball to drop inside the six-yard box.

It was Fotheringham who reacted quickest, poking the ball over the line for his seventh cinch Championship goal of the season!

The goal was followed with two United changes:

In our third and final change of the afternoon, Moult made way for Glass who went closest to doubling our lead in the final minutes - Albinson equal to his curling strike as United secured all three points. 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
TEAMLINES
DUNDEE UNITED

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

Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Tillson, Glass, Freeman, Cudjoe, Watt, Stirton

AYR UNITED

Starting XI: Albinson, McAllister, Musonda, McGinty (c), Reading, McGeady, Dempsey, Syla, Murphy, Dowds, Bryden

Subs: Mutch, Senga, Amartey, McKenzie, Rose, Smith, Ahui, Ecrepont, Young

NEXT UP

It's first versus second in the cinch Championship next weekend, as Raith Rovers make the journey to Tannadice. 

CLICK HERE for tickets!

 

Images: Richard Wiseman

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