MATCH REPORT | KILMARNOCK EDGE CLOSELY FOUGHT CUP TIE

KILMARNOCK 2 - 1 DUNDEE UNITED
PREMIER SPORTS CUP QUARTER-FINAL
7:45PM TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2022

RUGBY PARK
 

United exited the Premier Sports Cup after an intense affair in Ayrshire. 

Quickfire first-half goals sprung the game into life as Kyle Lafferty and Glenn Middleton were on the scoresheet within the opening ten minutes.
 
Daniel Armstrong headed in with just under 20 minutes to go to send the hosts into the next round.

SMALL TWEAKS

Liam Fox made one change to the 11 that started in Dingwall, with Arnaud Djoum replacing Craig Sibbald in the midfield.
 
Peter Pawlett and Charlie Mulgrew weren’t risked on the bench after recent injury scares with Mathew Cudjoe and Ross Graham back among the substitutes this evening.  

FAST START

United had their first sighting at goal in the opening three minutes. An out-swinging free kick from Jamie McGrath was met by Scott McMann but the full-back couldn’t direct his header on target.
 
Kilmarnock were handed an advantage early on after being awarded a penalty in the sixth minute.
 
In what looked like a natural position, the ball ricocheted off Liam Smith’s underarm as he fell to ground, and Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot - cautioning Smith in the process.
 
Lafferty stepped up and sent Carljohan Eriksson the wrong way to give the hosts an early lead.
 
Smith was involved at the other end just two minutes later, assisting. Glenn Middleton to get us back on level terms.
 
After linking up nicely with Tony Watt, Smith burst into the Kill penalty area before cutting the ball back for Middleton.
 
Our number 15 still had plenty of work to do inside the area, but cleverly turned his man and curled a left-footed effort into the far corner.
 
United will feel their equaliser was just reward for a harsh penalty decision just moments before.

OFF THE POST

In what was the only other major chance of the half, Lewis Mayo went close to restoring Kilmarnock’s lead. The defender got on the end of a knock-down inside the box but his stretching effort came back off the post.
 

EVEN ENCOUNTER

Both sides had half chances in the opening 45, but with a lack of clear-cut chances, it was deadlock at the break.
 
It was a tame opening to the second 45. The closest any side came in the first 15 came through Watt as he jinked his way into the box but his effort rebounded off Middleton on its way towards goal.

BREAK OF THE BALL

Watt was unlucky not to continue his scoring streak although it didn’t look like he knew much about it.
 
Levitt looked to curl a low effort into the far corner which bounced off Watt’s shins before Zach Hemming gathered.

KILLIE SNATCH IT 

With just under 20 minutes to go, Armstrong headed the ball down into the net to put the home side in front.
 
The goal came after a sustained period of Kilmarnock pressure in which United couldn’t seem to clear their half.
 
Liam Fox responded with three quick changes as Fletcher, Cudjoe and Craig Sibbald replaced Kieran Freeman, Dylan Levitt and Jamie McGrath.

HALF CHANCES

An audacious effort from Djoum and a dipping volley from Fletcher were the closest United came to an equaliser as Killie saw the game out.
 

TEAMLINES

Starting XI: Eriksson, Smith, McMann, Djoum, Edwards, Middleton, Behich, McGrath (Cudjoe 76’), Levitt (Sibbald 81’), Freeman (Fletcher 75’), Watt
 
Unused substitutes: Birighitti, Graham, Niskanen, Meekison, A.Sadat, Harkes
 

NEXT UP

We return to cinch Premiership action on Saturday with an away trip to Paisley to face St Mirren. 
Tickets for the match are available directly from the away club, online only.