DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | MOTHERWELL (H)
31st October 2024
cinch Premiership Matchday Two
Dundee United 0
Livingston 1 (Montano 48’)
3pm Sunday 7th August
Tannadice Park
Dundee United failed to make the pressure count as Livingston edged a tightly fought contest at Tannadice.
It was a first half in which both sides lacked any real goalscoring threat.
Livingston’s first half chance came just inside the five minute mark.
After a break down the right flank, Joel Nouble did well to touch the ball onto Sean Kelly at the edge of the area but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of Mark Birighitti’s left-hand post.
Nouble also went close for the visitors moments later - denied by a close-range save from Birighitti.
After a Craig Sibbald clearance, Steven Fletcher looked to beat the onrushing Shamal George who got there in the nick of time to gather the ball right on the edge of the box.
Audacious attempt
United upped the intensity around the half-hour mark.
There was some nice play down the right side but Liam Smith’s cross was just too deep for a United forward to latch on to.
Fletcher was the first united player to have a real attempt at goal as his audacious 30 yard strike sailed wide of Shamal George’s goal.
Second half
It didn’t take long into the second half for the away side to take the lead.
Just three minutes after the restart, Birighitti got down low to deny Nouble from close range.
The ball was recycled out to Cristian Montano, who fired in a left-footed strike from outside the area.
United almost equalised straight away.
Tony Watt found himself inside the area and did well to skip away from two defenders before firing an effort goalwards. However, George in the Livingston net was equal to it - with Fletcher almost turning home the resultant corner.
Ryan Edwards was involved at both ends, denying Nicky Devlin’s touch goalwards before seeing an effort of his own deflected just wide moments later.
Tony Watt conjured up United’s next chance after skipping away from two men at the edge of the area. However, his low drive was just wide of the post.
Birighitti denied Livingston a certain second as Pittman raced through on the counter-attack. The Australian shot-stopper did expertly well to get off his line and block the angle before saving smartly with his legs.
With just over 15 minutes to go, Dylan Levitt’s eye of a needle pass was dummied by Fletcher for sub Mathew Cudjoe to latch onto. The winger took a touch towards goal before his thunderous 25 yard effort was well saved by George.
United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and corners, but failed to make their pressure count. There were certainly aspects of the performance Jack Ross’ men will take inspiration from but it was Livingston who went home with three points.
Next up
Next up for the Terrors is a trip to Alkmaar - hoping to finish the job in the second leg against AZ.
We return to cinch Premiership action next Sunday with a trip to Tynecastle. Ticket information for this fixture will be released tomorrow at 9am.
