FIXTURE INFORMATION | DUNDEE UNITED B V DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
Dreich weather in Dingwall this afternoon proved no deterrent for an attack-minded United side determined to pick up where they left off prior to the international break, as they ran out confident 4-2 winners against Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.
With Gavin Gunning suspended, John Souttar was called into action by manager Jackie McNamara, handing the centre half his first Premiership appearance of the season. The only other change to the starting XI that faced Celtic two weeks ago was that of Ryan Gauld in for David Goodwillie, the latter dropping to the bench. The Dingwall side remained unchanged from the side that drew 0-0 at Easter Road when last they played.
First Half:
Nadir Ciftci wasted no time in recording United's first shot on target. Testing Mark Brown with a strike from a free kick, the Turkish forward forced a finger tip save from the Ross County stopper in only the third minute. A flurry of corners ensued, albeit to no avail, however the Terrors would eventually see the fruits of their labour when Gary Mackay-Steven was fouled by Brown; referee Brian Colvin unsurprisingly awarding the visitors a penalty. Mackay-Steven duly obliged with the spot kick and calmly placed the ball to Brown's right to make it 1-0 after eighteen minutes - a just reward for United's early dominance.
Within two minutes of the opener, United had double their lead. Following great link-up play with Ryan Gauld, Ciftci turned provider and with Stuart Armstrong lurking, his well placed cross found the head of the goal-getting midfielder, leaving Brown standing as the ball was guided into the net. The players' goal celebrations took them behind the goal in front of a vocal and ecstatic away support, but rather unfortunately led to a caution for Armstrong.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Appearing overawed by United's superiority, County were unable to offer any serious threat, save for a Graham Carey chance that struck Radoslaw Cierzniak's post. Derek Adams will have felt aggrieved not to see his side awarded a penalty however when Kevin Luckassen appeared to be fouled shortly before the half hour mark, County's Richard Brittain being cautioned for his protests following the incident.
The afternoon continued to get worse for the home side as Ryan Gauld finished off a chance of his own to become the latest of the United forwards to find the net, expertly slotting the ball across the outstretched body of Brown as the keeper and his defence could only watch it trundle in at the far post. At 3-0, United looked unstoppable.
A late chance for Andrew Robertson flew over the bar and with only one minute of added time required, the first half drew to a close.
Second Half:
No doubt the recipients of a stern talking to from manager Derek Adams, County emerged for the second half with slightly more zip about them, however it was United who would enjoy the first opportunities, Ciftci then Gauld trying their luck facing the "Jail End". It was Ciftci on fifty-five minutes who would force Brown into action once again, with the finger tips to the rescue as the score remained 3-0.
Nadir Ciftci was not to be denied on his third time of asking though. Clean through on goal he calmly dribbled past Brown before placing the ball into the net to score his third goal in as many games for the Club.
The final twenty minutes saw both sides make changes, with three of United's scorers replaced, meanwhile County by this point had substituted three of their back four. County began to take the game to United with Orhan Mustafi forcing a save from Cierzniak on sixty eight minutes. The pressure paid off as the next goal of the game did in fact come for the home side; Ivan Sproule's dipping shot taking a deflection as it looped past Cierzniak. Were it not for the five minutes that followed, Sproule's goal may have merely been deemed a consolation but on seventy-seven minutes, a wicked Carey cross met Rocco Quinn who made no mistake in scoring County's second. With only fifteen minutes on the clock, County believed they may have been on for a comeback.
It was not to be however. Resolute play across the park from United following a wild few minutes saw the Terrors reassert their authority and with ten minutes remaining, they were unlucky not to add to their tally. The best of the late chances came from substitute David Goodwillie who shot just over from a tight angle before missing a similar opportunity soon after.
Summary
Referee Brian Colvin called for an end to proceedings following an additional three minutes, bringing to an end a very impressive away victory for United - their first in the Premiership this season - at what has always been a difficult venue. The travelling Arab support were again in fine voice and will have enjoyed their trip to the Highlands following yet another positive performance. The manager would most likely have preferred to see the match out with a clean sheet, however given United's recent record in Dingwall, the win can only be considered a success. The win pushes United into fifth place in the Premiership table, with a goal difference bettered only by first placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle and second placed Celtic.
Man of the Match: Nadir Ciftci There were many candidates for today's man of the match, with goals coming from areas all throughout the team and some very creative football being played in conditions not usually conducive to such entertaining football. Nevertheless, one player stood out just marginally from the rest for his creativity and composure in front of goal and that was Nadir Ciftci. His performance was indicative of his form since arriving at United and his second half goal just further reinforced the threat he will no doubt continue to bring. A special mention must also go to Ryan Gauld and Stuart Armstrong who both must be credited for assisting in today's goals as well as scoring them.
County: Brown, Kovacevic (Mustafi 59), Gordon (De Leeuw 60), McLean, Munro (Boyd 70), Kettlewell, Sproule, Brittain, Quinn, Carey, Luckassen
Subs not used: Fraser, Micic, Maatsen, Ross
Goals: Sproule 72, Quinn 77
Booked: Brittain 28
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Robertson, Souttar, Dillon, Paton, Rankin, Armstrong (Dow 69), Gauld (Graham 85), Ciftci (Goodwillie 72), Mackay-Steven
Subs not used: McCallum, Wilson, Petrie, Oyenuga
Goals: Mackay-Steven pen. 18, Armstrong 20, Gauld 40, Ciftci 65
Bookings: Armstrong 20
With Gavin Gunning suspended, John Souttar was called into action by manager Jackie McNamara, handing the centre half his first Premiership appearance of the season. The only other change to the starting XI that faced Celtic two weeks ago was that of Ryan Gauld in for David Goodwillie, the latter dropping to the bench. The Dingwall side remained unchanged from the side that drew 0-0 at Easter Road when last they played.
First Half:
Nadir Ciftci wasted no time in recording United's first shot on target. Testing Mark Brown with a strike from a free kick, the Turkish forward forced a finger tip save from the Ross County stopper in only the third minute. A flurry of corners ensued, albeit to no avail, however the Terrors would eventually see the fruits of their labour when Gary Mackay-Steven was fouled by Brown; referee Brian Colvin unsurprisingly awarding the visitors a penalty. Mackay-Steven duly obliged with the spot kick and calmly placed the ball to Brown's right to make it 1-0 after eighteen minutes - a just reward for United's early dominance.
Within two minutes of the opener, United had double their lead. Following great link-up play with Ryan Gauld, Ciftci turned provider and with Stuart Armstrong lurking, his well placed cross found the head of the goal-getting midfielder, leaving Brown standing as the ball was guided into the net. The players' goal celebrations took them behind the goal in front of a vocal and ecstatic away support, but rather unfortunately led to a caution for Armstrong.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Appearing overawed by United's superiority, County were unable to offer any serious threat, save for a Graham Carey chance that struck Radoslaw Cierzniak's post. Derek Adams will have felt aggrieved not to see his side awarded a penalty however when Kevin Luckassen appeared to be fouled shortly before the half hour mark, County's Richard Brittain being cautioned for his protests following the incident.
The afternoon continued to get worse for the home side as Ryan Gauld finished off a chance of his own to become the latest of the United forwards to find the net, expertly slotting the ball across the outstretched body of Brown as the keeper and his defence could only watch it trundle in at the far post. At 3-0, United looked unstoppable.
A late chance for Andrew Robertson flew over the bar and with only one minute of added time required, the first half drew to a close.
Second Half:
No doubt the recipients of a stern talking to from manager Derek Adams, County emerged for the second half with slightly more zip about them, however it was United who would enjoy the first opportunities, Ciftci then Gauld trying their luck facing the "Jail End". It was Ciftci on fifty-five minutes who would force Brown into action once again, with the finger tips to the rescue as the score remained 3-0.
Nadir Ciftci was not to be denied on his third time of asking though. Clean through on goal he calmly dribbled past Brown before placing the ball into the net to score his third goal in as many games for the Club.
The final twenty minutes saw both sides make changes, with three of United's scorers replaced, meanwhile County by this point had substituted three of their back four. County began to take the game to United with Orhan Mustafi forcing a save from Cierzniak on sixty eight minutes. The pressure paid off as the next goal of the game did in fact come for the home side; Ivan Sproule's dipping shot taking a deflection as it looped past Cierzniak. Were it not for the five minutes that followed, Sproule's goal may have merely been deemed a consolation but on seventy-seven minutes, a wicked Carey cross met Rocco Quinn who made no mistake in scoring County's second. With only fifteen minutes on the clock, County believed they may have been on for a comeback.
It was not to be however. Resolute play across the park from United following a wild few minutes saw the Terrors reassert their authority and with ten minutes remaining, they were unlucky not to add to their tally. The best of the late chances came from substitute David Goodwillie who shot just over from a tight angle before missing a similar opportunity soon after.
Summary
Referee Brian Colvin called for an end to proceedings following an additional three minutes, bringing to an end a very impressive away victory for United - their first in the Premiership this season - at what has always been a difficult venue. The travelling Arab support were again in fine voice and will have enjoyed their trip to the Highlands following yet another positive performance. The manager would most likely have preferred to see the match out with a clean sheet, however given United's recent record in Dingwall, the win can only be considered a success. The win pushes United into fifth place in the Premiership table, with a goal difference bettered only by first placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle and second placed Celtic.
Man of the Match: Nadir Ciftci There were many candidates for today's man of the match, with goals coming from areas all throughout the team and some very creative football being played in conditions not usually conducive to such entertaining football. Nevertheless, one player stood out just marginally from the rest for his creativity and composure in front of goal and that was Nadir Ciftci. His performance was indicative of his form since arriving at United and his second half goal just further reinforced the threat he will no doubt continue to bring. A special mention must also go to Ryan Gauld and Stuart Armstrong who both must be credited for assisting in today's goals as well as scoring them.
County: Brown, Kovacevic (Mustafi 59), Gordon (De Leeuw 60), McLean, Munro (Boyd 70), Kettlewell, Sproule, Brittain, Quinn, Carey, Luckassen
Subs not used: Fraser, Micic, Maatsen, Ross
Goals: Sproule 72, Quinn 77
Booked: Brittain 28
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Robertson, Souttar, Dillon, Paton, Rankin, Armstrong (Dow 69), Gauld (Graham 85), Ciftci (Goodwillie 72), Mackay-Steven
Subs not used: McCallum, Wilson, Petrie, Oyenuga
Goals: Mackay-Steven pen. 18, Armstrong 20, Gauld 40, Ciftci 65
Bookings: Armstrong 20
