DUFC

UNITED BATTLE IN VAIN IN CIS SEMI

7th February 2003

United played as well against Celtic as they had done in recent matches but still lost this evening's CIS Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden Park.

Manager Ian McCall restored Alan Combe to the goalkeeping position but there was no place for gary Bollan and Danielle Chiarini, both being Cup tied.

UNITED: COMBE, DUFF, WILSON, MCCRACKEN, DODDS, LAUCHLAN, EASTON, MILLER, LILLEY, MCINTYRE, PATERSON. SUBS: HAMILTON, O'DONNELL, MCCUNNIE, SMART, GALLACHER.

CELTIC: HEDMAN, AGATHE, SMITH, LAMBERT, VALGAEREN, BALDE, LARSSON, LENNON, SUTTON, HARTSON, LAURSEN. SUBS: SYLLA, THOMPSON, FERNANDEZ, CRAINEY, MARSHALL.

In a battling first forty five minutes, United performed well and deserved their level standing at the interval. Despite being under pressure, United were holding out comfortably and actually came back into the game, pressurising the Celtic defence on more than one occasion.

HALF TIME: CELTIC 0 UNITED 0

Celtic started the second half strongly and Balde who had been outstanding for Matin O'Neill's side, netted nine minutes into the second half.

United's situation became even more difficult when Jim Lauchlan was red carded for a tackle which the referee deemed violent conduct. Two more goals came Celtic's way through Larsson and a second for Balde.

United deserved better than a 0-3 reverse and the Arab support showed their appreciation of the Tangerines with a superb level of support throughout the entire match.

FULL-TIME: CELTIC 3 UNITED 0