FIXTURE INFORMATION | DUNDEE UNITED B V DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
In a first half where both teams cancelled each other out, it was United who came closest to breaking the deadlock when David Goodwillie was skilfully played through in the penalty area by Gauld. Goodie beat Samson in the Killie goal, but his shot rebounded off the post.
United lost Keith Watson with a head injury after 22 minutes and while down to 10 men did well to keep possession. Indeed during this period, United came close to opening the scoring courtesy of a 20 yard shot from Ryan Gauld which was uncomfortably pushed round the post by Samson.
United's forwards then combined to create a further shot on goal when a knock down from Gauld to Goodwillie was fed to Ciftci who volleyed from 25 yards. However, the shot was easily saved by Samson.
Kilmarnock were not creating much in the way of goal scoring opportunities, with the United defence coping with several crosses. Kilmarnock's closest effort came from a corner, which Boyd headed well over.
United had showed some very good passing moves and dominated possession, but both teams lacked a quality final ball, with the first half ending in stalemate.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Dundee United came out in the second half showing renewed vigour, with a driving run by Ciftci down the left wing setting the scene. Within two minutes Samson had pulled off good saves from Goodwillie then Gauld as United showed their intentions.
With United continuing to press, the breakthrough came in 56 minutes. Goodwillie did well to collect the ball in the penalty area and as the Killie defence filtered back, he picked out an inch perfect cross to Ciftci on the edge of the box who volleyed a powerful shot under Samson's body.
United were now playing with skill and pace, with Kilmarnock struggling to cope with the sublime skills of Gauld and Mackay-Steven. At times they appeared to be driving through the Killie defence at will. United almost made it 2-0 from a Gauld free-kick following a foul by Pascalli. Gauld's shot had Samson rooted to the spot but unfortunately was inches wide of the post.
Predictably, Killie pushed hard for an equaliser as the game neared the end. Following a brief period of Kilmarnock pressure, Cierzniak pulled off a world class save, from a powerful shot by Irvine, to maintain United's lead. From the resultant corner a McKenzie shot flew over the bar.
United comfortably saw out the three minutes of injury time to claim a well-deserved three points, cementing a top 6 position and sending Kilmarnock to second bottom in the Scottish Premiership.
Man of the Match: Nadir Ciftci was tireless throughout the match, with his strong running and hold up play, while always looking for a shooting opportunity or lay off. He capped off his fine performance with a very well taken volley from the edge of the box to score the only goal of the game to ensure the three points stayed at Tannadice.
Teams
Dundee United:
Cierzniak, Watson (Gunning), Souttar, Dillon, Robertson,Paton, Rankin, Goodwillie, Gauld, Armstrong (Mackay-Steven), Ciftci (Dow)
Subs McCallum, Butcher, Graham, Wilson
Kilmarnock:
Samson, Barr, Nicholson (Fowler), Clingan, Boyd, Silva (Ibrahim), Clohessy, McKenzie, O'Hara, Pascali (Irine), Bouzid
Subs Reguero, Johnston, Gros, McKeown
Referee: Collum
Att: 5850
United lost Keith Watson with a head injury after 22 minutes and while down to 10 men did well to keep possession. Indeed during this period, United came close to opening the scoring courtesy of a 20 yard shot from Ryan Gauld which was uncomfortably pushed round the post by Samson.
United's forwards then combined to create a further shot on goal when a knock down from Gauld to Goodwillie was fed to Ciftci who volleyed from 25 yards. However, the shot was easily saved by Samson.
Kilmarnock were not creating much in the way of goal scoring opportunities, with the United defence coping with several crosses. Kilmarnock's closest effort came from a corner, which Boyd headed well over.
United had showed some very good passing moves and dominated possession, but both teams lacked a quality final ball, with the first half ending in stalemate.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Dundee United came out in the second half showing renewed vigour, with a driving run by Ciftci down the left wing setting the scene. Within two minutes Samson had pulled off good saves from Goodwillie then Gauld as United showed their intentions.
With United continuing to press, the breakthrough came in 56 minutes. Goodwillie did well to collect the ball in the penalty area and as the Killie defence filtered back, he picked out an inch perfect cross to Ciftci on the edge of the box who volleyed a powerful shot under Samson's body.
United were now playing with skill and pace, with Kilmarnock struggling to cope with the sublime skills of Gauld and Mackay-Steven. At times they appeared to be driving through the Killie defence at will. United almost made it 2-0 from a Gauld free-kick following a foul by Pascalli. Gauld's shot had Samson rooted to the spot but unfortunately was inches wide of the post.
Predictably, Killie pushed hard for an equaliser as the game neared the end. Following a brief period of Kilmarnock pressure, Cierzniak pulled off a world class save, from a powerful shot by Irvine, to maintain United's lead. From the resultant corner a McKenzie shot flew over the bar.
United comfortably saw out the three minutes of injury time to claim a well-deserved three points, cementing a top 6 position and sending Kilmarnock to second bottom in the Scottish Premiership.
Man of the Match: Nadir Ciftci was tireless throughout the match, with his strong running and hold up play, while always looking for a shooting opportunity or lay off. He capped off his fine performance with a very well taken volley from the edge of the box to score the only goal of the game to ensure the three points stayed at Tannadice.
Teams
Dundee United:
Cierzniak, Watson (Gunning), Souttar, Dillon, Robertson,Paton, Rankin, Goodwillie, Gauld, Armstrong (Mackay-Steven), Ciftci (Dow)
Subs McCallum, Butcher, Graham, Wilson
Kilmarnock:
Samson, Barr, Nicholson (Fowler), Clingan, Boyd, Silva (Ibrahim), Clohessy, McKenzie, O'Hara, Pascali (Irine), Bouzid
Subs Reguero, Johnston, Gros, McKeown
Referee: Collum
Att: 5850
