First Team
EVERY WORD | JACK WALTON LOOKS AHEAD TO IBROX TEST
21st November 2024
United concluded our pre-season schedule with a tough test against Luton Town.
Dundee United 2 (Babunski 16', Moult pen 76')
Luton Town 2 (Clark pen 34', Doughty 45')
7.45pm Friday 26 July 2024
The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park
Pre-Season Friendly
Attendance: 2,588
DEALING WITH THE HEAT
As expected, the hosts had plenty of possession in the opening exchanges but failed to create anything clear-cut.
An early block was required from Miller Thomson as the ball flashed across the face in the minutes before clever footwork from Elijan Adebayo almost fashioned a chance, but couldn't shift the ball out of his feet.
The counterattack looked our best route to goal early on, with Kristijan Trapanovski posing a threat down our left. An early sighting fell his way which was comfortable for the visitors in the end.
There was a first outing for Richard Odada and Jort Van Der Sande - both of whom arrived in DD3 this week.
MADE IN NORTH MACEDONIA
A moment of sheer brilliance opened the scoring at a sunkissed Tannadice.
An excellent long ball from Ross Graham opened up space for Trapanovski who latched on and raced in behind. Holding up possession well, he awaited a supporting run from David Babunski, our skipper on the evening, who arrowed an effort right into the top corner to give us the lead!
Just after scoring, Babunski tried his luck again with a more audacious effort - aiming to catch Thomas Kaminski off his line from distance but not getting the desired contact on the ball.
PRESSURE PAYS OFF
Jordan Clark levelled the game from the penalty spot just over ten minutes from the half.
Another exceptional pass created the move as Zack Nelson found Reuell Walters and it was Glenn Middleton who brought him down in the box. It was a cool spot-kick from The Hatters' number 18 who rolled the ball into the corner.
On the stroke of half-time, a Tom Holmes cross was turned in at the back post by Alfie Doughty to put the visitors ahead.
SHUFFLING THE PACK
Wholesale changes at the break ????
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) July 26, 2024
?? Walton, Trapanovski, Babunski, Holt, Fotheringham and Odada
?? Richards, Gallagher, Forbes, O’Donnell, Ferry and Ševelj
???? 1??-2?? ???? | #UTDLUT | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/1RF0ZqntLZ
Six half-time changes were followed by a seventh as Van Der Sande made way for Louis Moult into the second period.
BALANCING THE SCALES
After a fairly uneventful restart, spot kicks were squared off as Iain Snedden awarded United a penalty 15 minutes from time.
It was determined running from Graham of all people, as he charged his way towards goal. After an initial layoff and a rebound back into his path, Graham was bundled over inside the area with his back to goal and the Referee was quick to point to the spot.
Making no mistake, Moult rifled his effort into the corner to restore parity.
Over the piece, Goodwin's side proved more than a match for the English Championship outfit. A stern test ahead of us raising the flag on season 2024/25 with a Dundee Derby next weekend!
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
?? Good test of our defensive shape
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) July 26, 2024
?? Tidying up in the final third
?? A positive pre-season overall
Post-match reaction from #DUFC Manager Jim Goodwin following this evening's friendly against EFL Championship outfit Luton Town ???? pic.twitter.com/02EIflJ5D2
TEAMLINES
DUNDEE UNITED
Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Graham, Trapanovski, Babunski (c), Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Van Der Sande, Thomson, Cleall-Harding
Subs: Richards, Sevelj, Moult, Ferry, Macleod, O'Donnell, Gallagher, Forbes, Stirton
LUTON TOWN
Starting XI: Kaminski, Walters, Holmes, Mengi, Johnson, Doughty, Baptiste, Clark (c), Nelson, Chong, Adebayo
Subs: Shea, Ogbene, Woodrow, Mpanzu, Taylor, Townsend, Chigozie, Luker, Bateson, Francis-Clarke
