FIXTURE INFORMATION | DUNDEE UNITED B V DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
A disappointing 3-0 defeat for United was sealed by a Kiss wonder strike late in the second half. The new look Ross County were deserved winners with Arquin and a Kiss brace separating the sides in Dingwall.
United arrived in the Highlands for the second time this week looking to record a hat-trick of victories over their in-form hosts this season. With youngsters Gauld and Souttar both spending this afternoon in sunnier climes, Jackie McNamara took the opportunity to shuffle the pack. The United boss made four changes to the side that earned a point at Inverness. Dillon and Butcher came in to replace Souttar and Gunning at the centre of defence. In the midfield Gomis stepped in for Armstrong and up front El Alagui made his first start, in for the injured Graham. Along with the changes in personnel, McNamara also deviated from the trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, instead opting for an attacking 4-3-3. Adams made two changes with Arquin and Songo'o replacing Boyd and Glen.
First Half: For the time of the year, the conditions were surprisingly good ahead of kick off for this game. Kitted out in their home shirt, but with tangerine shorts and white socks, United looked lively right from kick-off. Indeed, debutant El Alagui stung the hands of County 'keeper Fraser after just two minutes and Rankin sent the rebound just wide.
Butcher had to make a timely slide tackle on the edge of United's six yard box just minutes later as a neat forward pass released Slew through on goal. Soon after County came close again, this time a curling free-kick from Carey forced a good save from Cierzniak.
Free-kicks were looking like being County's best chance of a breakthrough. Both Brittain and Carey had further attempts from the edge of the United box but Cierzniak was equal to them. At the other end it was Robertson's marauding runs down the left that were causing County most problems.
Just minutes before half-time the game burst to life. Carey, a constant threat on the County left, swung in a great cross and Kiss was waiting to bullet a header past Cierzniak and into the top corner.
County had the ball in the net again with the last kick of the first half but it was adjudged to be off-side. Former United defender McLean directed a Carey cross into the bottom corner but to the relief of the travelling Arabs behind that goal, the flag went up.
Half Time: Ross County 1 - 0 United
Second Half: Neither side made any changes during the break but within six minutes of the restart Erskine was replaced by Ciftci as McNamara tried to ignite some energy into the side. The move looked like it might pay immediate dividends when soon after a great run by Mackay-Steven released El Alagui but he shot over.
There was certainly more zip about United's game now and much of that was due to the introduction of Ciftci. First the substitute set up Mackay-Steven, but his rushed shot flew high over the bar. Ciftci himself was next to try his luck with a long range strike that sneaked inches wide. Moments later Ciftci was again the provider, cutting back for Rankin who had his shot blocked in the six yard box.
Although making the better start to the second period, United found themselves two goals behind midway through the half. A powerful run from Slew took him past a number of United defenders and as he hit the by-line he cut the ball across the goal, giving Arquin the simple task of chesting it over the line.
Almost immediately United increased their attacking options by replacing Gomis with Armstrong. However, the game was over as a contest in the 75th minute. Kiss collected the ball midway inside the United half and, with little threat anticipated, he swerved a stunning long range effort high over Cierzniak and into the net.
Armstrong thought he had given United a lifeline in the last ten minutes when he slid in to sneak the ball over the line during a goal mouth scramble. No sooner had he wheeled away to celebrate, the linesman raised his flag.
It was clear this was not going to be United's day and as the match progressed towards full-time, County closed out the game, using all three substitutes to run down the clock.
Full Time: Ross County 3 - 0 United
Man of the Match: There were no stand outs today but John Rankin edges it for his work rate.
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Butcher, Robertson, Paton, Rankin, Gomis (Armstrong), Mackay-Steven, El Alagui, Erskine (Ciftci) . Subs not used - McCallum, Wilson, Dow, Connolly, Oyenuga.
County: Fraser, Gordon, Oikonomou, McLean, Kiss (Quinn), Arquin (De Leeuw), Brittain, Tidser, Songo'o, Slew, Carey (Cooper).
Subs not used - Brown, Boyd, Micic, Glen.
Referee - Craig Charleston
Attendance - 3609
United arrived in the Highlands for the second time this week looking to record a hat-trick of victories over their in-form hosts this season. With youngsters Gauld and Souttar both spending this afternoon in sunnier climes, Jackie McNamara took the opportunity to shuffle the pack. The United boss made four changes to the side that earned a point at Inverness. Dillon and Butcher came in to replace Souttar and Gunning at the centre of defence. In the midfield Gomis stepped in for Armstrong and up front El Alagui made his first start, in for the injured Graham. Along with the changes in personnel, McNamara also deviated from the trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, instead opting for an attacking 4-3-3. Adams made two changes with Arquin and Songo'o replacing Boyd and Glen.
First Half: For the time of the year, the conditions were surprisingly good ahead of kick off for this game. Kitted out in their home shirt, but with tangerine shorts and white socks, United looked lively right from kick-off. Indeed, debutant El Alagui stung the hands of County 'keeper Fraser after just two minutes and Rankin sent the rebound just wide.
Butcher had to make a timely slide tackle on the edge of United's six yard box just minutes later as a neat forward pass released Slew through on goal. Soon after County came close again, this time a curling free-kick from Carey forced a good save from Cierzniak.
Free-kicks were looking like being County's best chance of a breakthrough. Both Brittain and Carey had further attempts from the edge of the United box but Cierzniak was equal to them. At the other end it was Robertson's marauding runs down the left that were causing County most problems.
Just minutes before half-time the game burst to life. Carey, a constant threat on the County left, swung in a great cross and Kiss was waiting to bullet a header past Cierzniak and into the top corner.
County had the ball in the net again with the last kick of the first half but it was adjudged to be off-side. Former United defender McLean directed a Carey cross into the bottom corner but to the relief of the travelling Arabs behind that goal, the flag went up.
Half Time: Ross County 1 - 0 United
Second Half: Neither side made any changes during the break but within six minutes of the restart Erskine was replaced by Ciftci as McNamara tried to ignite some energy into the side. The move looked like it might pay immediate dividends when soon after a great run by Mackay-Steven released El Alagui but he shot over.
There was certainly more zip about United's game now and much of that was due to the introduction of Ciftci. First the substitute set up Mackay-Steven, but his rushed shot flew high over the bar. Ciftci himself was next to try his luck with a long range strike that sneaked inches wide. Moments later Ciftci was again the provider, cutting back for Rankin who had his shot blocked in the six yard box.
Although making the better start to the second period, United found themselves two goals behind midway through the half. A powerful run from Slew took him past a number of United defenders and as he hit the by-line he cut the ball across the goal, giving Arquin the simple task of chesting it over the line.
Almost immediately United increased their attacking options by replacing Gomis with Armstrong. However, the game was over as a contest in the 75th minute. Kiss collected the ball midway inside the United half and, with little threat anticipated, he swerved a stunning long range effort high over Cierzniak and into the net.
Armstrong thought he had given United a lifeline in the last ten minutes when he slid in to sneak the ball over the line during a goal mouth scramble. No sooner had he wheeled away to celebrate, the linesman raised his flag.
It was clear this was not going to be United's day and as the match progressed towards full-time, County closed out the game, using all three substitutes to run down the clock.
Full Time: Ross County 3 - 0 United
Man of the Match: There were no stand outs today but John Rankin edges it for his work rate.
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Butcher, Robertson, Paton, Rankin, Gomis (Armstrong), Mackay-Steven, El Alagui, Erskine (Ciftci) . Subs not used - McCallum, Wilson, Dow, Connolly, Oyenuga.
County: Fraser, Gordon, Oikonomou, McLean, Kiss (Quinn), Arquin (De Leeuw), Brittain, Tidser, Songo'o, Slew, Carey (Cooper).
Subs not used - Brown, Boyd, Micic, Glen.
Referee - Craig Charleston
Attendance - 3609
