First Team
EVERY WORD | JIM GOODWIN AHEAD OF LEITH ADVENTURE
1st November 2024
United secured their third SPL win in three visits to Edinburgh this campaign when they took full points back to Tannadice Park this afternoon courtesy of a 2-1 win. Following their exit from the Scottish Cup at the hands of First Division Ayr United last Wednesday, Manager Alex Smith demanded substantial improvements from his players. He moved Charlie Smith up to the front line, a move that would play a significant part in the outcome of the match. Steven Thomson joined Charlie in the Tangerine attack. Venetis held onto his place in the midfield and played alongside Aljofree, Easton and David Winters. At the back, Smith brought back Stuart Duff to full back in place of the injured Jamie McCunnie with David McCracken at left back. Lauchlan and Griffin formed the central defensive roles. Paul Gallacher recovered from a knock to retain his place in goal.
Hearts started brightly and came close to taking the lead however, with Charlie Miller in top form up front, United were creating some fine moves of their own, one such play providing the visitors with a penalty when former Arab Steven Pressley downed Tassos Venetis and Hasney Aljofree (pictured) made no mistake from the resultant spot kick.
The new Tangerine formation looked incisive on the break and although Hearts had the edge in possession, it came as no real surprise when United went two ahead. The home side failed to clear their lines and McCracken set up Miller who passed the ball beyond Niemi to provide the Tannadice side with a comfort zone.
Two up at the break, it came as no surprise that Craig Levein's team took the game to United straight from the start of the second half. Despite the early second half pressure, it was United who almost went three ahead when Venetis was straight through on Niemi however his shot hit the bar.
The Tynecastle side pressed incessantly from then on in. Gallacher made some excellent saves to keep Hearts out however McKenna eventually put his team back in the game with a header but despite one way traffic towards United's Under-21 keeper, the Tangerine's held out for a win that kept them just in the hunt for a top six place but only just.
This was a very welcome win and will provide the Club with a real lift. United's chances of claiming a top six place remains low and a win is essential at Parkhead next week although even such a result would still be likely to be insufficient.
United's win coupled with St Johnstone's defeat means that the Tannadice Club will be playing SPL football next term, a mark of the improvement over last season's desperate scramble to stay up. Today's results also guarantee that Motherwell and Hibernian will be playing in the bottom six following the split in a fortnight's time.
UNITED: Gallacher, Duff, Lauchlan, Griffin, McCracken, Winters, Venetis, Aljofree, Easton, Miller, Thompson
For a more detailed report, click on Report on the menu bar.
Hearts started brightly and came close to taking the lead however, with Charlie Miller in top form up front, United were creating some fine moves of their own, one such play providing the visitors with a penalty when former Arab Steven Pressley downed Tassos Venetis and Hasney Aljofree (pictured) made no mistake from the resultant spot kick.
The new Tangerine formation looked incisive on the break and although Hearts had the edge in possession, it came as no real surprise when United went two ahead. The home side failed to clear their lines and McCracken set up Miller who passed the ball beyond Niemi to provide the Tannadice side with a comfort zone.
Two up at the break, it came as no surprise that Craig Levein's team took the game to United straight from the start of the second half. Despite the early second half pressure, it was United who almost went three ahead when Venetis was straight through on Niemi however his shot hit the bar.
The Tynecastle side pressed incessantly from then on in. Gallacher made some excellent saves to keep Hearts out however McKenna eventually put his team back in the game with a header but despite one way traffic towards United's Under-21 keeper, the Tangerine's held out for a win that kept them just in the hunt for a top six place but only just.
This was a very welcome win and will provide the Club with a real lift. United's chances of claiming a top six place remains low and a win is essential at Parkhead next week although even such a result would still be likely to be insufficient.
United's win coupled with St Johnstone's defeat means that the Tannadice Club will be playing SPL football next term, a mark of the improvement over last season's desperate scramble to stay up. Today's results also guarantee that Motherwell and Hibernian will be playing in the bottom six following the split in a fortnight's time.
UNITED: Gallacher, Duff, Lauchlan, Griffin, McCracken, Winters, Venetis, Aljofree, Easton, Miller, Thompson
For a more detailed report, click on Report on the menu bar.
