First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
ARBROATH 0
DUNDEE UNITED 3 (Moult 38' 53', Middleton '48)
3PM TUESDAY 2 JANUARY 2024
GAYFIELD PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Attendance: 5,276
Moult and Middleton were on target as United hit back-to-back wins.
THE TEAM TALK
After a comfortable 3-0 win over Partick Thistle last time out, there was little to be tweaked as we visited Gayfield Park - Jim Goodwin naming an unchanged starting eleven for our 2024 curtain raiser!
Rory MacLeod was back amongst the substitutes after being recalled from his loan with Forfar Athletic.
A total of seven DUFC Academy graduates are involved in our matchday squad.
IN SEARCH OF RHYTHM
Early forays forward were a sign of things to come from the men in heritage green.
Louis Moult beat the offside trap in the opening minutes, chasing Craig Sibbald's threaded pass, but as he cut the ball across the face of goal it was hooked away from danger.
The hosts had the ball in the net early on as Leighton McIntosh slid in Jay Bird, but the Assistant Referee's flag was up long before the Arbroath number 27 curled the ball into the bottom corner. McIntosh then had The Lichties' best chance of the half on 11 minutes. Getting in between the United centre-backs, he controlled the ball well on his chest before firing at goal - calling Jack Walton into action who saved well.
Glenn Middleton went close to breaking the deadlock after latching on to Moult's flick in behind. However, Derek Gaston was down well to smother his low strike.
A well-worked United move almost resulted in the opener just before 30 minutes. A long ball by Declan Gallagher was nodded into Moult's path by Liam Grimshaw. Setting his sights, he fired low across goal and unfortunately from a United persuasion it slid just wide of the far post.
As Arbroath broke at the other end, Bird went down inside the area under minimal contact from Gallagher and was rightly cautioned for simulation. Following a later challenge, Gallagher was replaced by Ross Graham on 36 minutes through injury.
A SLICK OPENER
Less than two minutes later, Moult netted his ninth goal of the season.
Grit and desire from Craig Sibbald saw United regain possession on the touchline before he set Fotheringham free. A darting run and a slide rule pass had Watt racing through and his cutback was inch-perfect for Moult, who took his time and slotted home!
It was a goal we had been threatening all afternoon as we went in at the break a goal to the good.
OPENING THE FLOODGATES
Just three minutes after the restart, we had our second.
It was easy pickings for United, as Holt beat Innes Murray to a sliding challenge in the corner and strolled out with possession. One long ball in behind found Middleton racing clear and he lifted the ball over Gaston into the empty net to double our lead!
Less than five minutes later, Moult had his second of the afternoon to seal the points. It came courtesy of a terrific Fotheringham cross which bounced inside the six-yard box for Moult to nod home in front of a buoyant travelling support.
We were forced into another change on the hour as Mathew Cudjoe replaced McMann following a nasty-looking challenge just inside the United half.
Two more changes followed as we approached the final 20 minutes.
68’ | A double change from The Gaffer ????
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 2, 2024
?? Tillson and Watt
?? Glass and Mochrie
???? 0??-3?? ???? | #ARBUTD | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/VdtaSz2CQu
Substitute Declan Glass twice went close to adding a fourth - calling Gaston into action and then fizzing a shot just past the post - as United remained comfortable in what remained to open our 2024 account with three points.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Another sparkling Gayfield display from #DUFC's number 9??
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 2, 2024
???? Brace hero @LouisMoult is your #ARBUTD Man of the Match! pic.twitter.com/MvB2PiCDzC
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
???? "It was a very professional performance this afternoon, I felt. We exploited a weakness in the Arbroath backline, utilising the pace and movement we have."#DUFC Manager Jim Goodwin gives his thoughts on our first #cinchChamp victory of 2024 ???? pic.twitter.com/H1wNzC4Uxa
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 2, 2024
TEAMLINES
ARBROATH FC
Starting XI: Gaston, Norey, Stewart, Hamilton (c), Lyon, Slater, Murray, Jacobs, McIntosh, Bird, Stowe
Subs: Adams, Balde, Dunnwald-Turan
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
NEXT UP
It's a quick turnaround in the cinch Champ as Greenock Morton travel to Tannadice for a 3pm kick-off this Saturday!
Images: Ross Johnston
