Montrose 0 United 4

United beat Montrose 4-0 to march into the 5th round of the Scottish Cup.

By Ian Isbister

United kicked off their Scottish Cup campaign this season with a short trip to League One side Montrose. The sides had met on three previous occasions in the Scottish Cup, with United coming out on top in the last encounter back in 2001 with a 2-0 win at Links Park. 

With only 30 miles separating the two sides, United’s ever faithful band of travelling Arabs were out in full force. Around 2,200 made the trip into Angus to cheer on their side and showed their dedication on a bitterly cold winter’s afternoon.

United’s foray into the Cup last season ended with a 4-2 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the fifth round, and Manager Robbie Neilson made it clear in his press conference this week that a good run in the cup would not be a distraction from their League aspirations. Rather than a hindrance, Neilson stated that it would be a great reward for the supporters and would give them some excitement back.

United’s starting line-up had the Arabs smiling straight away as Margaro Gomis made his second debut for the Club after re-signing last week. The midfielder had four successful seasons at United, including being part of the Scottish Cup win in 2010. After last Saturday’s 1-0 win against Dunfermline, Manager Robbie Neilson made three changes to his starting line-up. As well as Gomis coming in for Fyvie, Watson and Nesbitt both stepped up from the bench to replace Murdoch and Matty Smith respectively. 

Montrose’s last outing resulted in a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to East Fife. Manager Stewart Petrie made two changes to his line-up as Webster and Cregg make the step up from the bench as Henderson and Callaghan make way. One very familiar face to United fans was ex United captain Sean Dillon. Like Gomis, the Irishman’s biggest achievement at Tannadice was the 2010 Scottish Cup win.

First Half Summary:

Montrose kicked off the game with United playing towards their travelling support. Both sides took the opening few minutes to size each other up, with few clear cut chances but plenty of effort and enthusiasm. On eight minutes United took the lead. An attempted clearance by Dillon from a Nesbitt shot was met by Safranko, and his header from close range nestled in the left hand corner of the Montrose goal. The early lead gave United confidence and they began passing the ball around with ease. Nesbitt, Gomis and Stanton were all enjoying plenty of time and space on the ball. United went close again on 17 minutes when Nesbitt found space on the edge of the box and decided to take a snap shot. A good effort, but unfortunately straight into the arms of Fleming in goal.

United were enjoying the opening half hour at Links Park, and Robbie Neilson will have no doubt enjoyed seeing his side playing with a fast tempo and controlling the game. With three of Neilson’s new signings in the starting eleven, it was an ideal game for the manager to gel his new players.

United should have been further ahead on 36 minutes. A set-piece set up by Nesbitt resulted in another header from Safranko. The Slovakian must have thought he’d scored but a last gasp clearance by Campbell in the Montrose goal kept the score at 1-0.
In the 43rd minute United finally got their rewards to make it 2-0. A Cruyff-esque step over by Safranko resulted in Dillon giving away a free-kick. The resultant free-kick by McMullan was cleared to the edge of the box and was expertly met by the right foot of Booth to score his second United goal into the bottom right hand corner of Fleming’s goal. A great strike, particularly as it was his weaker foot! Referee David Munro blew his whistle for half-time with United taking a 2-0 lead into the second half.

Second Half Summary:

No changes from either side as Montrose kicked off the second half looking to stay beyond the 4th round of the Scottish Cup for the first time in eight years. United started the second half with the same confidence and composure as the first. Bouhenna and Frans in particular were looking confident at the back. Their partnership starting to look solid, and their aggression at winning the ball a joy for the travelling Arabs to see. This was highlighted in the 60th minute when what looked like a certain goal for Montrose was thwarted by an excellent tackle from Frans on Watson. United’s attacking players would surely be taking the plaudits for today’s performance but the bread and butter stuff from defence shouldn’t be overlooked. 

Montrose were giving a good account of themselves in the second half, with the introduction of Campbell and Watson giving the part-timers that extra bit of pace and energy that they’d previously lacked. 

In 70 minutes, new signing Ian Harkes came on for Cammy Smith. The American was unlucky to see one of his first touches in a United shirt go over the bar,  with his attempted volley rising above the Montrose goal.

Billy King replaced Safranko on 81 mins and made an immediate impact by scoring with his first touch. A long ball down the right was controlled by Clark and his pass to King was inch perfect. The substitute placed his shot into the bottom right hand corner of the goal to make it 3-0 United.

Despite the score line, United still continued to attack and were unlucky in the 87th minute when a McMullan shot was deflected by the knee of Clark and looked goal bound until Fleming made a great save to tip the ball over the bar. 

The icing on the cake came in injury time when debutant Harkes scored the fourth goal for United. Set up by McMullan, Harkes's left foot shot from close range capped off a debut to remember. 

As referee David Munro blew the final whistle at 4-0 to United, Manager Robbie Neilson will be delighted with his team’s performance. Four different scorers, a clean sheet and four January signings all giving a good account of themselves. United march into the 5th round of the Scottish Cup and the army of travelling Arabs will no doubt enjoy the short journey back to Dundee to celebrate.

Man of the Match - Frederic Frans. The defender looked calm and composed throughout the 90 mins and is now firmly established alongside Bouhenna in the heart of the United defence.

Teams:

Montrose: Fleming, Masson, Steeves, I. Campbell, Dillon, Webster, Harrington, Cregg, Ronnie (Callaghan 83 mins), Johnston (R.Campbell 56 mins), Redman (Watson 57 mins),
Subs not used - Bolochoweckyj,  Skelly, Antoniazzi, Miller

Dundee United: Siegrist, Booth, Frans, McMullan, Stanton, Gomis, Safranko (King 78 mins),Nesbitt (Clark 65 mins), Bouhenna, C. Smith (Harkes 70 mins), Watson,
Subs not used - Rakovan, Edjenguele, Aird, Robson

Referee - David Munro
Assistants - Gary Hilland and David Dunne 

Attendance - 3,604