FIXTURE INFORMATION | DUNDEE UNITED B V DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
United put in a five star performance to easily seal three points at Tannadice today. A Ciftci double had them two up at the break. Armstrong, Dow and Graham added to the tally in the second half with a late Ainsworth strike a mere consolation for the visitors. United now have third place well in their sight after a great afternoon on Tayside.
After the loss to St Johnstone last Saturday, Jackie McNamara made two changes for the visit of Motherwell. Club captain Sean Dillon returned, as did Ryan Dow with youngsters Gauld and Souttar dropping to the bench.
After early efforts from United's Gunning and Motherwell's Kerr, United took the lead on the seven minute mark thanks to a wonderful strike. Ciftci gathered the ball in his own half and passed to Armstrong. The United midfielder made a great forward run and returned the ball to Ciftci who fired high into the top corner past the helpless Nielson. Six minutes later United again looked dangerous. Watson and Mackay-Steven combined to set up Paton who lobbed the advancing Nielson but McManus was on hand to clear the ball before it crossed the line. With 21 minutes gone United should have extended their lead. A surging run from Armstrong again saw him set up Ciftci but Neilson made an outstanding save to thwart the United striker. Shortly after, Robertson did well on the left and his cross just failed to reach Dow and after a great interception from Paton, Mackay-Steven fired in a low shot that Neilson tipped round the post. Five minutes before the break United deservedly doubled their lead. Mackay-Steven picked out Armstrong on the left and once again he found Ciftci with an inch perfect pass and he calmly slotted the ball home.
Stuart McCall rang the changes for the visitors at half time, bringing on Moore and Ainsworth to replace Kerr and Anier. They started the second half in a determined mood and went close early on with shots from Lasley and then substitute Moore. United then stepped up the pace with Ciftci curling an effort wide and then a powerful Mackay-Steven run was halted by a last ditch tackle from Hammill. With an hour on the clock United extended their lead further. The ball was played out of the home defence and the ball was flicked on by Dow. The impressive Armstrong ran from the half way line and outpaced the visitors' defence and shot high into the net. Minutes later Dow turned provider again, laying the ball into the path of Ciftci who this time was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post. With 20 minutes left the three points were all but secured for United. Gunning crossed to the chest of Dow and he had all the time in the world to control and fire home United's fourth of the afternoon. With United's confidence now sky high it was no surprise when with ten minutes left they extended their lead further. Gauld flicked a ball through to Graham who held his nerve and shot past Neilson. Mackay-Steven almost rubbed further salt into the visitors' wounds when he found space in the box but this time the home defence blocked and the score remained at 5-0. United's hope of a clean sheet were scuppered in the dying minutes when an Ainsworth shot was deflected off Robertson which fooled Cierzniak to give the visitors a consolation.
Summing Up - A great United performance and a much needed confidence boost. United are now only four behind Motherwell with a significant goal advantage. If they play like this for the remainder of the season then it could be a successful end to the campaign.
Man of the match - A number of candidates in a great team performance however Stuart Armstrong stood out. He set up both Ciftci's goals and added one of his own in a hugely impressive display.
Teams
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Gunning, Robertson, Paton (Gauld 70), Rankin, Mackay-Steven, Armstrong (Gomis 72) Dow, Ciftci (Graham 70)
Subs: McCallum, Souttar, Wilson, El Alagui
Motherwell: Nielson, Reid, Hammill, Hutchinson, McManus, Sutton, Vigurs, Lasley, Kerr (Moore), Anier (Ainsworth), Leitch Subs : Hollis, McFadden, Francois-Angol, Murray, Cadden
Referee : Steven McLean
Attendance : 6363
After the loss to St Johnstone last Saturday, Jackie McNamara made two changes for the visit of Motherwell. Club captain Sean Dillon returned, as did Ryan Dow with youngsters Gauld and Souttar dropping to the bench.
After early efforts from United's Gunning and Motherwell's Kerr, United took the lead on the seven minute mark thanks to a wonderful strike. Ciftci gathered the ball in his own half and passed to Armstrong. The United midfielder made a great forward run and returned the ball to Ciftci who fired high into the top corner past the helpless Nielson. Six minutes later United again looked dangerous. Watson and Mackay-Steven combined to set up Paton who lobbed the advancing Nielson but McManus was on hand to clear the ball before it crossed the line. With 21 minutes gone United should have extended their lead. A surging run from Armstrong again saw him set up Ciftci but Neilson made an outstanding save to thwart the United striker. Shortly after, Robertson did well on the left and his cross just failed to reach Dow and after a great interception from Paton, Mackay-Steven fired in a low shot that Neilson tipped round the post. Five minutes before the break United deservedly doubled their lead. Mackay-Steven picked out Armstrong on the left and once again he found Ciftci with an inch perfect pass and he calmly slotted the ball home.
Stuart McCall rang the changes for the visitors at half time, bringing on Moore and Ainsworth to replace Kerr and Anier. They started the second half in a determined mood and went close early on with shots from Lasley and then substitute Moore. United then stepped up the pace with Ciftci curling an effort wide and then a powerful Mackay-Steven run was halted by a last ditch tackle from Hammill. With an hour on the clock United extended their lead further. The ball was played out of the home defence and the ball was flicked on by Dow. The impressive Armstrong ran from the half way line and outpaced the visitors' defence and shot high into the net. Minutes later Dow turned provider again, laying the ball into the path of Ciftci who this time was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post. With 20 minutes left the three points were all but secured for United. Gunning crossed to the chest of Dow and he had all the time in the world to control and fire home United's fourth of the afternoon. With United's confidence now sky high it was no surprise when with ten minutes left they extended their lead further. Gauld flicked a ball through to Graham who held his nerve and shot past Neilson. Mackay-Steven almost rubbed further salt into the visitors' wounds when he found space in the box but this time the home defence blocked and the score remained at 5-0. United's hope of a clean sheet were scuppered in the dying minutes when an Ainsworth shot was deflected off Robertson which fooled Cierzniak to give the visitors a consolation.
Summing Up - A great United performance and a much needed confidence boost. United are now only four behind Motherwell with a significant goal advantage. If they play like this for the remainder of the season then it could be a successful end to the campaign.
Man of the match - A number of candidates in a great team performance however Stuart Armstrong stood out. He set up both Ciftci's goals and added one of his own in a hugely impressive display.
Teams
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Gunning, Robertson, Paton (Gauld 70), Rankin, Mackay-Steven, Armstrong (Gomis 72) Dow, Ciftci (Graham 70)
Subs: McCallum, Souttar, Wilson, El Alagui
Motherwell: Nielson, Reid, Hammill, Hutchinson, McManus, Sutton, Vigurs, Lasley, Kerr (Moore), Anier (Ainsworth), Leitch Subs : Hollis, McFadden, Francois-Angol, Murray, Cadden
Referee : Steven McLean
Attendance : 6363
