ST MIRREN 0 UNITED 3

Dundee United’s excellent start to the season continued as they ran out comfortable winners in the end against a St Mirren team still to find the back of the net in the league this season. By Stuart Norris In a game where St Mirren will be disappointed with several missed chances, United were the more clinical in front of goal. Chris Erskine, in his first start, scored his third goal of the season, followed by a powerful header from Fojut and a powerful drive from Blair Spittal to wrap up the points. First Half United started the game at a sunny but breezy St Mirren park on the front foot. After 3 minutes Dow played Erskine through following a slack back pass, but Kello was able to deflect the shot for a corner. Then after six minutes Mackay-Steven struck a sweet volley which beat Kello but rebounded off the post in what turned out to be the closest attempt at goal in the first half. United continued to press and on eight minutes a well worked move ended with Rankin shooting over the bar. St Mirren’s first attempt came from a McGinn header and was well tipped over the bar by Cierzniak. St Mirren were now matching United in midfield but without creating any clear cut chances. They were enjoying a period of sustained pressure during which time Fojut and Watson collided as they kept St Mirren at bay. Fortunately both were uninjured. It took until the 31st minute for United to have another shot on goal, when Ciftci’s speculative shot was easily saved by Kello. A foul by Fojut led to a free kick on 33 minutes, after referee Madden pulled play back having allowed St Mirren advantage. However, McLean’s wasteful 20 yard shot flew well over. As St Mirren continued to enjoy the bulk of play, a good run by McLean led to a cross which eluded all until Keith Watson prevented an almost certain goal. St Mirren forced further corners as half time approached, then a soft free kick against Erskine as he attempted to break out of defence. Again St Mirren wasted the chance as ball blasted over the bar. In the final minute of the half United won a free kick when Ciftci was fouled, but like St Mirren, were unable to make anything of it as the first half ended goalless. Second Half From kick off, St Mirren went straight on the offensive forcing Watson to scramble the ball for a corner within the first minute. However, United responded in dramatic fashion. With barely two minutes on the clock, they broke as speed from defence. Ciftci played Erskine through on goal and the on form striker calmly slotted the ball past Kello to put United 1-0 in front to the joy of the travelling Arabs behind the goal. St Mirren were not knocked off their stride though with first Tesselar and McLean chances missing the target. Next was St Mirren’s chance to break on the counter attack following a period of United pressure, with only a flying header from John Rankin, who had chased back the length of the park, averting the danger. On 59 minutes Watson was booked for a blatant foul on McGinn, with United able to clear the resultant danger. The game was soon beyond St Mirren though as United scored their second and decisive goal. United forced a corner after 67 minutes following good work by Ciftci on the right. From Mackay-Steven’s cross, the ball hung perfectly in the air for Fojut to powerfully head home and put United 2-0 in front. St Mirren continued to create chances, but with a familiar outcome as Ball again fired over. United were now playing with confidence as Townsend and Bilate, on for Mackay-Steven, combined skilfully to force a corner. After 82 minutes United almost scored a third when Paton struck a powerful drive which Kello parried and with St Mirren struggling to clear, United were unable to capitalise. The third was not long in coming though, as Spittal, having just replaced Erskine, controlled a loose ball on the edge of the box before rifling a powerful drive into the top corner for 3-0 United!!! The party had now well and truly begun among the travelling United support. United continued to look dangerous going forward with Spittal again firing in a shot, but this time Kello saved. United saw out the remainder of the game in complete control with an emphatic second half performance ending in a well-deserved 3:0 victory. Man of Match - Chris Erskine continued his rich vein of form, scoring his third goal in his first start of the season. However, in a game where St Mirren created many chances but were limited to only one shot on target, Jaroslaw Fojut was a tower of strength and is today’s Man of the Match. St Mirren:- Kello, Naismith, Tesselar, McAusland (Kelly), Plummer, McGinn, McLean, Drury (Teale), Ball, Caldwell, Osbourne (Wylde) Subs Ridgers,Brown,Reilly, Morgan Dundee United:- Cierzniak, Watson (Spark), Townsend, Morris, Fojut, Paton, Rankin, Dow, Mackay-Steven (Bilate), Erskine (Spittal) Ciftci Subs: Szromnik, Telfer, Smith Connolly Referee Madden Attendance:- 4,245