First Team

MATCH REPORT | WATT HITS HAT-TRICK AS UNITED SEE OFF THISTLE

29th December 2023

DUNDEE UNITED 3 (Watt '7, '85, '89)
PARTICK THISTLE 0
7:45PM FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2023
TANNADICE PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 8,110

United cruise to victory as Tony Watt nets a hat-trick!

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made one change to his DUFC side this evening. Kai Fotheringham was back in from the start, with Mathew Cudjoe named on the bench. 

As alluded to pre-match, Ross Docherty missed out altogether but may well be in the frame to feature in our first match after the turn of the year, according to The Gaffer.

Seven DUFC Academy graduates were involved in our matchday squad. 

Ahead of the match, Scottish Cup Winner, Morgaro Gomis, was on hand to deliver the match ball.

AN EARLY BIRTHDAY GIFT

We didn't have to wait long for the opener as United hit the front inside seven minutes. 

A dangerous cross from Liam Grimshaw almost found Fotheringham but Aaron Muirhead thwarted the initial danger before clearing the ball into Watt's path. Our number 32 took one touch to set himself before slamming the ball home from ten yards. 

UNITED PURRING

Twice we went close to extending our lead before the clock hit a quarter of an hour. 

Scott McMann almost had his second United goal and was only denied by a brave block from Kerr McInroy who threw his body on the line. A few minutes later, Glenn Middleton picked out Louis Moult with a pin-point delivery from the left but his headed effort fell just over the crossbar. 

Ben Stanway almost scored an unorthodox own goal as Lewis Neilson's clearance looked likely to be intercepted by Sibbald 25 yards from goal. Thankfully for the visitors, Stanway's block rolled wide of the post for only a United corner. 

In an intense opening, Goodwin's side had no fewer than 4 corners, 8 efforts and 60% possession as we approached the half-hour mark. 

Steven Lawless went closest to restoring parity for Thistle, but his arrowed shot from the corner of the box was always rising as it flew wide of the upright. Tricky feet on the edge of the area from Fotheringham then fashioned our next opening, but he could only snap his shot wide of the target.

END TO END

Both sides went close in successive counter-attacks just five minutes before the break.

A Thistle corner was cleared from danger by Fotheringham and expertly picked out of the air by Middleton. Moving across the line, he teed up Watt who slid the ball into the box for Sibbald but his effort was blocked by Stuart Bannigan. 

The visitors broke at the other end, with Aidan Fitzpatrick evading a sliding challenge from Jordan Tillson before firing over the bar from 18 yards. 

Kris Doolan's side struggled to get to grips with United's intensity as we went in at the break a goal to the good. 

MORE EARLY SIGHTINGS

We picked up where they left off with quick chances for our second. 

Sibbald kept Middleton's cleared corner alive and nodded the ball into the path of Declan Gallagher whose effort was deflected wide. Fotheringham again went close just a minute later, but his snapshot from a narrow angle slid just wide of the far post. 

We were forced into a change on 65 minutes as Gallagher seemed to go down holding his groin. He was replaced at the back by Ross Graham.

A chance went begging for Moult who beat the offside trap and latched onto Holt's over-the-top ball from the back. Taking it in his stride, he broke into the box but could only fire over on his weaker left foot. He was replaced by Chris Mochrie moments later. 

MARKING THE OCCASION

Watt made it a memorable night as he added two and three to his evening's tally.

A slide rule pass from Mochrie found Watt in a pocket of space in behind the Thistle defence. Some neat stepovers opened up space for a shot and he fired low into the corner from the edge of the area just five minutes from time!

He made it a hat-trick with less than two minutes to play as he nodded Middleton's corner beyond Sneddon. 

All told, it was a performance that deserved no less than three points as we rounded off 2023 in style! 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Chosen by Carmichael and Baxter. 

 

TEAMLINES
DUNDEE UNITED

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

Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Glass, Freeman, Duffy, Mochrie, Cudjoe, Stirton

PARTICK THISTLE

Starting XI: Sneddon, McMillan, Milne, Muirhead, Neilson, McInroy, Bannigan, Graham (c), Lawless, Fitzpatrick, Stanway

Subs: McCready, Williams, Robinson, Alston, Lyon, MacKenzie, Diack, Adeloye

NEXT UP

Our first outing of 2024 comes on Tuesday as we make the short trip to Arbroath. Tickets are available here!

 

Images: Richard Wiseman

Share This:

Related News