Reserves
MATCH REPORT | DUNDEE UNITED B 0-1 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
A late goal from Chris Erskine handed United a hard fought win at Tannadice today. Ciftci had United ahead at the break only for Jervis to cancel that out ten minutes after the break. With both sides desperate for a winner and chances at both ends, it was Erskine who settled things with four minutes remaining.
By Gareth Scott
United were without the injured Stuart Armstrong for the visit of Ross County. United's influential midfielder was replaced by summer signing Mario Bilate. Despite the heavy loss last weekend that was the only change with Jackie McNamara keeping faith with the other players who have made a good start to the season. The visitors arrived at Tannadice in search of their first points of the season.
First Half:
After two early efforts from County, United burst into life with five minutes gone. Watson won a corner kick which was collected by Ciftci who saw his effort blocked. The ball fell to Rankin who powered in a shot that was tipped over by Reguero. Ten minutes later United won a free kick that Ciftci took directly but the goalkeeper was alert to his clever effort. However a minute later United's forward did break the deadlock. Ciftci was fouled on the left and Paton delivered the resulting kick to the back post which he headed into the opposite corner giving Reguero no chance. Minutes later Ciftci almost doubled the tally but his fierce shot was inches wide of the target. On the half hour mark Carey sent a fine pass into the United box but Cierzniak did brilliantly by diving bravely at the feet of Cardle. Kiss then curled in an effort that was well blocked by United's Callum Morris. There was a lively passage of play with 37 minutes on the clock. Ciftci and Mackay-Steven combined to set up Dow who had a shot in the box charged down. The visitors then broke up the park which ended up with Morris being booked for pulling down Carey on the edge of the United penalty area. In the dying moments of the first half United went close again when Mackay-Steven laid the ball into the path of Watson who shot just wide.
Second Half
Just after the break Ciftci broke the offside trap and set up Mackay-Steven who shot into the side netting. Six minutes later though the scores were level. The play started in the County box and after Ciftci had a shot charged down as the visitors broke clear. Cardle found Carey on the left and his cross was met by the head of Jervis who made no mistake. Carey then tested Cierzniak before a long range Rankin effort went just wide for the hosts. United had a great chance with an hour gone when Ciftci released Bilate who sent a left foot shot wide of the post. County then should have taken the lead when a fine cross from Celcer found the unmarked Arquin but somehow he headed wide. Bilate then did well to create a chance for United but Rankin just failed to control with the goal gaping. With just under 20 minutes remaining Bilate won a corner that Mackay-Steven crossed to the head of Ciftci but his effort agonisingly bounced over the crossbar. The visitors were causing problems down the left hand side and again went close when Carey found Jervis who sliced his shot over. United were also chasing a winner and shortly after Dow had a shot saved a flowing move resulted in an excellent save by Reguero from a Rankin effort. With time running out United grabbed a dramatic winner. Mackay-Steven took a corner from the right and the keeper punched clear but the ball fell to Erskine who lashed the ball home to give United the three points.
Summing Up - A hard fought game in which both teams created chances. United had the bulk of the possession and in the end just about merited their win. In the end everyone at the Club will be delighted with the another three points.
Man of the match - Nadir Ciftci looked dangerous every time United went forward and with his first goal of the season he was United's top man.
United: Cierzniak, Watson (Erskine 77) Townsend, Morris, Fojut, Paton, Rankin, Dow, Mackay-Steven (Telfer 88) Ciftci, Bilate ( Graham 85)
Subs: McCallum, Spittal, Connolly, Smith
County: Reguero, Celcer, Boyd, Cardle (Quinn 77) Brittain (Boyce 89), Jervis (Maatsen 82) Kiss, Arquin, Fenlon, Balk, Carey
Subs: Brown, De Leeuw, Ross, Frempah
Referee : Steven McLean
Attendance : 7179
United were without the injured Stuart Armstrong for the visit of Ross County. United's influential midfielder was replaced by summer signing Mario Bilate. Despite the heavy loss last weekend that was the only change with Jackie McNamara keeping faith with the other players who have made a good start to the season. The visitors arrived at Tannadice in search of their first points of the season.
First Half:
After two early efforts from County, United burst into life with five minutes gone. Watson won a corner kick which was collected by Ciftci who saw his effort blocked. The ball fell to Rankin who powered in a shot that was tipped over by Reguero. Ten minutes later United won a free kick that Ciftci took directly but the goalkeeper was alert to his clever effort. However a minute later United's forward did break the deadlock. Ciftci was fouled on the left and Paton delivered the resulting kick to the back post which he headed into the opposite corner giving Reguero no chance. Minutes later Ciftci almost doubled the tally but his fierce shot was inches wide of the target. On the half hour mark Carey sent a fine pass into the United box but Cierzniak did brilliantly by diving bravely at the feet of Cardle. Kiss then curled in an effort that was well blocked by United's Callum Morris. There was a lively passage of play with 37 minutes on the clock. Ciftci and Mackay-Steven combined to set up Dow who had a shot in the box charged down. The visitors then broke up the park which ended up with Morris being booked for pulling down Carey on the edge of the United penalty area. In the dying moments of the first half United went close again when Mackay-Steven laid the ball into the path of Watson who shot just wide.
Second Half
Just after the break Ciftci broke the offside trap and set up Mackay-Steven who shot into the side netting. Six minutes later though the scores were level. The play started in the County box and after Ciftci had a shot charged down as the visitors broke clear. Cardle found Carey on the left and his cross was met by the head of Jervis who made no mistake. Carey then tested Cierzniak before a long range Rankin effort went just wide for the hosts. United had a great chance with an hour gone when Ciftci released Bilate who sent a left foot shot wide of the post. County then should have taken the lead when a fine cross from Celcer found the unmarked Arquin but somehow he headed wide. Bilate then did well to create a chance for United but Rankin just failed to control with the goal gaping. With just under 20 minutes remaining Bilate won a corner that Mackay-Steven crossed to the head of Ciftci but his effort agonisingly bounced over the crossbar. The visitors were causing problems down the left hand side and again went close when Carey found Jervis who sliced his shot over. United were also chasing a winner and shortly after Dow had a shot saved a flowing move resulted in an excellent save by Reguero from a Rankin effort. With time running out United grabbed a dramatic winner. Mackay-Steven took a corner from the right and the keeper punched clear but the ball fell to Erskine who lashed the ball home to give United the three points.
Summing Up - A hard fought game in which both teams created chances. United had the bulk of the possession and in the end just about merited their win. In the end everyone at the Club will be delighted with the another three points.
Man of the match - Nadir Ciftci looked dangerous every time United went forward and with his first goal of the season he was United's top man.
United: Cierzniak, Watson (Erskine 77) Townsend, Morris, Fojut, Paton, Rankin, Dow, Mackay-Steven (Telfer 88) Ciftci, Bilate ( Graham 85)
Subs: McCallum, Spittal, Connolly, Smith
County: Reguero, Celcer, Boyd, Cardle (Quinn 77) Brittain (Boyce 89), Jervis (Maatsen 82) Kiss, Arquin, Fenlon, Balk, Carey
Subs: Brown, De Leeuw, Ross, Frempah
Referee : Steven McLean
Attendance : 7179
