Two stunning free-kicks secured the points in Tayside. 

Dundee United 2 (Babunski 17', Forbes 68')

Ayr United 1 (Rus 55')

5.15pm Saturday 20 July 2024

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

Premier Sports Cup Group Stage

Attendance: 2,167

Team News

Jim Goodwin made three changes to this afternoon’s DUFC XI!

Jack Walton, Kevin Holt, and Glenn Middleton were all drafted in from the start in place of Dave Richards, Kai Fotheringham, and Ryan Strain - the latter missing out through injury.

Our North Macedonian duo were involved again after impressing in midweek. Kristijan Trapanovski hit a brace of assists and a goal on his home debut.

Vicko Ševelj was the one to take Strain’s place at right wing-back as we kept the same shape that paid dividends in midweek.

There were seven DUFC Academy graduates involved in our matchday squad.

AN ENCOURAGING START

We went close inside the opening four minutes as Babunski's dangerous freekick was headed onto his own post by George Stanger. 

However, our number ten pulled a rabbit out of the hat when his free-kick from a narrow-angle evaded everyone to find the far corner on 17 minutes!

Babunski was almost involved again as an audacious pass found Middleton racing clear, but he could only pull his shot wide of the mark on his weaker right foot. 

The visitors had chances of their own as Mark McKenzie forced Walton into a smart save before Ben Dempsey fired wide ten minutes before the referee called time on the first half. 

With the final kick of the first 45, Holt almost doubled our lead as the ball fell to him inside the 18-yard box. Unfortunately, his first-time curling effort sailed wide of the upright. 

IN FOR A BATTLE

The men from Ayrshire levelled the game ten minutes into the second half as Marco Rus was allowed the freedom of our defensive half, driving into the box before cutting inside and curling a low effort beyond Walton and into the far corner.

Goodwin responded with three changes as Brandon Forbes, Fotheringham and Thomson replaced Babunski, Trapanovski and Middleton. 

Three times we went close in the aftermath. 

Forbes almost had the dream start as a defensive error saw the ball break to him on the edge of the box, but a lack of composure saw him lift the ball over the bar. 

Excellent driving play from Ferry opened up space for a fierce effort which was well beaten away by Stone before Forbes then curled an effort just wide of the upright. 

A DEBUT TO REMEMBER

After a heavily involved start, Forbes' moment of glory did come just four minutes after being introduced. 

A heavy Scott McMann challenge on Moult gifted us a free-kick in a dangerous area. Making no mistake, the 18-year-old took aim from 30 yards and his effort had Stone beaten all ends up - crashing in off the bar to give us the lead!

A couple of late yellow cards brought close to the action as two pinpoint set pieces proved the difference.  

TEAMLINES
Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Ševelj, Graham, Trapanovski, Moult, Babunski, Ferry, Sibbald (c), Middleton, Gallagher

Subs: Richards, Grimshaw, Fotheringham, Thomson, O'Donnell, Watt, Cleall-Harding, Forbes, Stirton

AYR UNITED

Starting XI: Stone, Reading, Dowds, Dempsey (c), Oakley, Stanger, Henderson, McKenzie, Rus, Watret, McMann

Subs: Russell, Mcallister, Musonda, Bryden, Murphy, Hastie, Syla, Tomlinson, McRoberts

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
 
NEXT UP

We make the long trip to face Buckie Thistle on Tuesday night in our final match of the Premier Sports Cup Group Stage. 

All tickets for this fixture will be pay at the gate, with no tickets available to purchase online in advance.

CLICK HERE for full details!

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