Reserves
MATCH REPORT | DUNDEE UNITED B 0-1 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
United hammered their city neighbours Dundee in a very one sided derby at Dens today.
By Gareth Scott
Bilate had United ahead at the break, scoring a penalty after Mackay-Steven was fouled in the box. Dow put United further ahead just after the break and then headers from Morris and Watson secured the points. In the final minute Stewart pulled one back but the superb visiting support went home happy after a great performance from their side in a 4-1 victory that also put United top of the league.
United made the short trip up the road to Dens Park to play city rivals in the first of a derby double header. Nadir Ciftci missed out through suspension with Ryan Dow recovering from injury to take his place. Stuart Armstrong also returned but had to be content with a place on the bench.
First Half
United started the game brightly and early on had a headed effort from Dow that was well saved from Letheren. Erskine then had a shot that went just wide and shortly after Rankin had a shot that was deflected for a corner. United were looking dangerous breaking forward and with 23 minutes gone they deservedly took the lead. The very effective Paul Paton slipped a ball into Mackay-Steven and he got in behind Konrad who pulled him down in the box. Mario Bilate took the resulting spot kick and sent Letheren the wrong way to open the scoring. Harkins then took a free kick from a dangerous position but Cierzniak saved well. Eight minutes from the break the home support thought their side were level. Harkins collected the ball on the left and crossed to the back post. Phil Roberts smashed in a shot but to the relief of the vocal United support the ball hit the side netting. Towards the end of the half Rankin shot wide for United and then Stewart headed a McGinn cross on to the roof of the United net.
Second Half
Despite Dundee changing things tactically at the start of the second half it was United who extended their lead six minutes after the break. Dow was given the ball in the visitors' box and he brilliantly sidestepped two defenders and smashed a left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net. Two minutes later United as good as wrapped up the points. Paul Paton took a free kick from the left and found the head of Callum Morris who netted his first goal for the club. United were now very much on top but Watson had to be at his best when he dived in to block a Harkins shot. Dow then went close again when he attempted a cheeky flick but Letheren saved for Dundee. With ten minutes remaining the visiting support were in raptures when Paton once again set up a goal this time finding the head of Keith Watson who gave the goalkeeper no chance. In the dying minutes Dundee's day got worse when Konrad was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. The last piece of action was a consolation goal for Dundee when Stewart fired home but it was United's day in a thoroughly dominant performance.
Man of the match - Setting up the two goals was the icing on the cake for a fantastic performance by Paul Paton in the middle of the park for United.
Teams:
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Morris, Fojut, Dillon, Paton, Rankin, Dow, Erskine, Mackay-Steven, Bilate Subs: Szromnik, Armstrong, Telfer, Connolly, Smith, Spittal, Spark
Dundee: Letheren, Irvine, Konrad, McPake, Ferry, Roberts, Stewart, McGowan, McGinn, McAlister, Harkins
Subs: Bain, McBride, Clarkson, Tankulic, Boyle, Kerr, Wighton
Referee : Steven McLean
Attendance : 11,447
Sent from my iPad
First Half
United started the game brightly and early on had a headed effort from Dow that was well saved from Letheren. Erskine then had a shot that went just wide and shortly after Rankin had a shot that was deflected for a corner. United were looking dangerous breaking forward and with 23 minutes gone they deservedly took the lead. The very effective Paul Paton slipped a ball into Mackay-Steven and he got in behind Konrad who pulled him down in the box. Mario Bilate took the resulting spot kick and sent Letheren the wrong way to open the scoring. Harkins then took a free kick from a dangerous position but Cierzniak saved well. Eight minutes from the break the home support thought their side were level. Harkins collected the ball on the left and crossed to the back post. Phil Roberts smashed in a shot but to the relief of the vocal United support the ball hit the side netting. Towards the end of the half Rankin shot wide for United and then Stewart headed a McGinn cross on to the roof of the United net.
Second Half
Despite Dundee changing things tactically at the start of the second half it was United who extended their lead six minutes after the break. Dow was given the ball in the visitors' box and he brilliantly sidestepped two defenders and smashed a left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net. Two minutes later United as good as wrapped up the points. Paul Paton took a free kick from the left and found the head of Callum Morris who netted his first goal for the club. United were now very much on top but Watson had to be at his best when he dived in to block a Harkins shot. Dow then went close again when he attempted a cheeky flick but Letheren saved for Dundee. With ten minutes remaining the visiting support were in raptures when Paton once again set up a goal this time finding the head of Keith Watson who gave the goalkeeper no chance. In the dying minutes Dundee's day got worse when Konrad was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. The last piece of action was a consolation goal for Dundee when Stewart fired home but it was United's day in a thoroughly dominant performance.
Man of the match - Setting up the two goals was the icing on the cake for a fantastic performance by Paul Paton in the middle of the park for United.
Teams:
United: Cierzniak, Watson, Morris, Fojut, Dillon, Paton, Rankin, Dow, Erskine, Mackay-Steven, Bilate Subs: Szromnik, Armstrong, Telfer, Connolly, Smith, Spittal, Spark
Dundee: Letheren, Irvine, Konrad, McPake, Ferry, Roberts, Stewart, McGowan, McGinn, McAlister, Harkins
Subs: Bain, McBride, Clarkson, Tankulic, Boyle, Kerr, Wighton
Referee : Steven McLean
Attendance : 11,447
Sent from my iPad
