FIXTURE INFORMATION | DUNDEE UNITED B V DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
United finished the German leg of the pre season trip with an excellent assured performance against a Cottbus side including six full internationalists who were playing their final pre seaaon game ahead of the start of the German season. The 2-0 reverse will have pleased the German support but the performance of this United team in only the second game of pre season will give Tangerine fans much enthusiasm.
The Terrors started the game well and good work by Goodwillie down the right saw United force two corners within sixty seconds. In the tenth minute United had a great chance to go ahead as Goodwillie flicked on a Carey through ball for Gauld to run away from the defence and go up against the goalkeeper. The young midfielder tried to go round the goalkeeper and as he attempted to slide the ball home the outstretched arm denied him a goal.
As it was, it was Cottbus who took the lead in the 18th minute. A ball in behind the United defence on the right hand side which had a suspicion of offside about it was cut back into the path of Mosquero who slotted past Cierzniak from 16 yards.
Nadir Ciftci went close for United in 26 minutes with a 30 yard strike which threatened the Cottbus right hand post as United attempted to get the equaliser.
Fellow trialist Graham Carey saw a yellow card for a sliding challenge in the 31st minute as the German referee began to frustrate the United players and coaches. This theme continued as the first half finished with the referee ignoring a clear foul on Gauld in midfield and Cottbus almost getting behind the United defence from the resulting possession.
Half time: Cottbus 1 United 0
The second half started with United again showing promise and attacking intent against their fit opponents. Despite having plenty possession and looking dangerous, the Germans continued to threaten and it took a great challenge by the very impressive Calum Butcher to keep the scoreline 0-1 in the 57th minute.
Around the hour mark, Manager Jackie McNamara made a host of changes with Goodwillie, Ciftci, Carey, Rankin and Trialist Vorsterman being replaced by Souttar, Robertson, Dow, Erskine and Oyenuga. The changes didn't break the exciting passing movements of the United team as they continued to take the game to the hosts.
In the 63rd minute it was a sensational block by Watson at the back post which prevented Cottbus going further ahead.
In the 70th minute, the referee again frustrated the United players when a lovely reverse flick by Dow put Mackay-Steven through alongside the last defender and as the defender pulled the United man back firstly outside the area and then again inside the area and it was at this point that the referee decided to bring it back and award United the free kick five yards outside the box and also decide not to administer any sanction.
The game got a bit physical following this and in the 72nd minute, firstly Erskine then Dow were cynically taken out as United threatened to break away. The second foul saw the referee finally clamp down on the physical attitude of the home team.
Butcher again came to United's rescue within the area in the 75th minute with an excellent challenge despite the pleas of the home crowd for a penalty. In the 79th minute, Cottbus made it 2-0 with Bickel the goalscorer.
With four minuted remaining Steipermann rattled the United cross bar with a powerful effort from 30 yards as United succumbed to the physical exertion of the intense training sessions.
Before the end there was time for Souttar to show off his quality with a drag back to take the ball away from a striker who was intent on closing him down in a dangerous position.
Despite the match finishing 0-2, this performance was a significant step up from the performance last Sunday and augurs well for the rest of pre season and beyond.
Teams:
Cottbus: Almer, Banovic, Mohrle, Kruska, Boruer, Farina, Bittroff, Mosquera, Takyi, Jendrisek and Schulze.
Subs: Renuo, Steipermann, Rivic, Affane, Mrowca, Fornitschow, Brenska, Bickel, Buljat, Svab.
Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, Carey, Trialist, Butcher, Paton, Goodwillie, Rankin, Ciftci, Armstrong and Gauld.
Subs: Johnston, McCallum, Robertson, Souttar, Mackay-Steven, Dow, Gardyne, Erskine and Oyenuga.
The Terrors started the game well and good work by Goodwillie down the right saw United force two corners within sixty seconds. In the tenth minute United had a great chance to go ahead as Goodwillie flicked on a Carey through ball for Gauld to run away from the defence and go up against the goalkeeper. The young midfielder tried to go round the goalkeeper and as he attempted to slide the ball home the outstretched arm denied him a goal.
As it was, it was Cottbus who took the lead in the 18th minute. A ball in behind the United defence on the right hand side which had a suspicion of offside about it was cut back into the path of Mosquero who slotted past Cierzniak from 16 yards.
Nadir Ciftci went close for United in 26 minutes with a 30 yard strike which threatened the Cottbus right hand post as United attempted to get the equaliser.
Fellow trialist Graham Carey saw a yellow card for a sliding challenge in the 31st minute as the German referee began to frustrate the United players and coaches. This theme continued as the first half finished with the referee ignoring a clear foul on Gauld in midfield and Cottbus almost getting behind the United defence from the resulting possession.
Half time: Cottbus 1 United 0
The second half started with United again showing promise and attacking intent against their fit opponents. Despite having plenty possession and looking dangerous, the Germans continued to threaten and it took a great challenge by the very impressive Calum Butcher to keep the scoreline 0-1 in the 57th minute.
Around the hour mark, Manager Jackie McNamara made a host of changes with Goodwillie, Ciftci, Carey, Rankin and Trialist Vorsterman being replaced by Souttar, Robertson, Dow, Erskine and Oyenuga. The changes didn't break the exciting passing movements of the United team as they continued to take the game to the hosts.
In the 63rd minute it was a sensational block by Watson at the back post which prevented Cottbus going further ahead.
In the 70th minute, the referee again frustrated the United players when a lovely reverse flick by Dow put Mackay-Steven through alongside the last defender and as the defender pulled the United man back firstly outside the area and then again inside the area and it was at this point that the referee decided to bring it back and award United the free kick five yards outside the box and also decide not to administer any sanction.
The game got a bit physical following this and in the 72nd minute, firstly Erskine then Dow were cynically taken out as United threatened to break away. The second foul saw the referee finally clamp down on the physical attitude of the home team.
Butcher again came to United's rescue within the area in the 75th minute with an excellent challenge despite the pleas of the home crowd for a penalty. In the 79th minute, Cottbus made it 2-0 with Bickel the goalscorer.
With four minuted remaining Steipermann rattled the United cross bar with a powerful effort from 30 yards as United succumbed to the physical exertion of the intense training sessions.
Before the end there was time for Souttar to show off his quality with a drag back to take the ball away from a striker who was intent on closing him down in a dangerous position.
Despite the match finishing 0-2, this performance was a significant step up from the performance last Sunday and augurs well for the rest of pre season and beyond.
Teams:
Cottbus: Almer, Banovic, Mohrle, Kruska, Boruer, Farina, Bittroff, Mosquera, Takyi, Jendrisek and Schulze.
Subs: Renuo, Steipermann, Rivic, Affane, Mrowca, Fornitschow, Brenska, Bickel, Buljat, Svab.
Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, Carey, Trialist, Butcher, Paton, Goodwillie, Rankin, Ciftci, Armstrong and Gauld.
Subs: Johnston, McCallum, Robertson, Souttar, Mackay-Steven, Dow, Gardyne, Erskine and Oyenuga.
