DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: DUNDEE UNITED 3 MOTHERWELL 2

The young Terros edged a close encounter 3-2 against their Motherwell counterparts at Tannadice tonight despite having to come back from behind in the first half. Goals from Ola Adeyemo (2) and Scott Lochhead secured victory for United.

By Ross Farmer

First teamers Gary Mackay-Steven, Keith Watson, Calum Butcher and Mark Wilson were included in a United outfit combining youth with experience in this Development Squad game scheduled at the beginning of the international break.

It was United that had the best of the chances in the early stages of the first half with a Calum Butcher shot being blocked on the 15 minute mark. Charlie Telfer went close three minutes later with his shot going over the goal and into the Eddie Thompson stand. On the 22nd minute Gary Mackay-Steven was looking dangerous whilst attacking the Motherwell box and delivered a teasing cross but no one was there to tuck it home. Good play from Motherwell down the right wing almost ended in a deserved goal but United goalie Szromnik saved well to keep the score line goalless. A minute later Adeyemo went close but his shot was well saved from the Motherwell ‘keeper.

Against the run of the play, it was the Steelmen who took the lead – again coming down the right wing – with a headed goal, leaving Szromnik with no chance. Five minutes later, Scott Lochhead equalised for the home side with a good finish from 25 yards. Motherwell went close five minutes before the first half concluded which proved to be their last chance of an action packed first half. A minute before the break, Mackay-Steven almost gave United the lead with his shot going close.

United brought on Jamie Montgomery for goal scorer Scott Lochhead at the start of the second half. Four minutes into the second half Charlie Telfer troubled the Motherwell goalie with a powerful shot that was well saved, then he got a second attempt but failed to convert. Szromnik did very well to keep the score 1-1 with an impressive save soon after. Ten minutes into the second half Butcher ran at the ‘Well defence but the resulting shot was blocked. Good build up play saw Adeyemo with a golden chance to give United the lead but the shot was blocked and went clear for a corner. On the 64th minute United took the lead through an Adeyemo penalty.

Adeyemo almost gave United a two goal lead as he shot just wide of the marker. From the resulting goal kick, Motherwell played good football which resulted in a shot going off the post and into the goal to make the score line all square at 2-2. Motherwell almost took the lead three minutes later, but Szromnik got down quickly, pulling off an immaculate save. United put the Steelmen under pressure forcing two corners on the 79th minute. The second corner resulted in Adeyemo scoring his second of the game. As the ball dropped kindly to his feet he struck home in an emphatic finish. The last ten minutes proved nervy as the Steelemen had a number of chances but couldn't find the net to level.

In a closely fought encounter, it was the young Terrors who took their chances in a  deserved win.

United:

Szromnik, Watson, Wilson, H. Souttar, Spark, Butcher, Smith, Lochhead, Telfer, Mackay-Steven, Adeyemo.