First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
DUNDEE UNITED 1
ST MIRREN 1
3PM SATURDAY 18TH MARCH
CINCH PREMIERSHIP
TANNADICE PARK
United come quick out the traps but are held to a point at Tannadice.
THE TEAM TALK
Jim Goodwin made three changes to the side that ran out at the Tony Macaroni arena ten days ago.
The skipper Ryan Edwards returned to the side along with Liam Smith and Peter Pawlett.
Dylan Levitt and Glenn Middleton missed out through injury.
OFF TO A FLYER
It was a fast start for the men in Tangerine, hitting the front inside three minutes.
A searching ball was flicked on by Fletcher before being headed back into his path by Richard Taylor.
The experienced striker took one touch with his right foot to cushion the ball before dispatching a low, driven volley into the corner beyond Trevor Carson.
BRILLIANT BEHICH
United continued probing in the opening exchanges.
Aziz Behich looked to break free down the left before an arm across the face from Marcus Fraser halted our attack - resulting in a first booking for the Buddies.
It seemed a clear game plan from the Terrors, who utilised the Austrailian all afternoon.
The full-back had a go himself on seventeen minutes after being found out wide by Pawlett, but he fired his long-range effort just wide of the mark.
Behich was involved in more positive build-up three minutes later - coasting down the wing before digging out a cross to the back post. It was met on the half-volley by Liam Smith but his skewed effort could only ripple the side netting.
SEARCHING SAINTS
The visitors had chances of their own in the opening 45 but failed to muster up an equaliser.
Just before the half-hour mark, a clever touch from Curtis Main found Mark O’Hara round the corner as he made his way into the box. However, in the way was Edwards who thwarted the Saints' attack with an outstanding, robust challenge before clearing the danger.
Ten minutes before the break, Ryan Strain’s corner was headed clear by Fletcher before it could reach Alex Gogic. Greg Kiltie stole the ball from the feet of Pawlett on the follow-up but the Saints midfielder was denied by a cluster of tangerine shirts.
FINAL OFFERINGS
It was the Terrors who looked closest to notching a second as the half came to a close.
Jamie McGrath was responsible for two dead ball deliveries, the first of which was deflected wide as McMann looked to head towards goal.
His corner then found Fletcher at the back post but the ball came up and off his shin before landing over the bar - although it doesn't look like he knew much about it.
BUDDIES CHANCES
Two chances inside the first 20 second-half minutes fell the way of the visitors, but they failed to convert.
After being perfectly picked out by Taylor, Kiltie delivered a dangerous cross across the United box - met by the onrushing O’Hara. The Saints captain looked certain to score but a last-ditch block from our skipper stopped the ball from crossing the line.
Just after the hour, Greive really should have restored parity with his headed effort but could only glance it wide of the mark.
Saints did have the ball in the net on 65 minutes, but Taylor's leveller was ruled out by the offside flag. A lengthy VAR check confirmed the linesman's initial decision was correct.
LEVEL FROM THE SPOT
The Saints had the equaliser their play merited by way of a penalty kick.
A ball in behind saw Main cut across Ayina before going to ground, with referee Craig Napier pointing straight to the spot.
After another drawn-out VAR check, O’Hara stepped up and converted from the spot.
STILL PUSHING
It was almost the perfect response from United. Smith’s cross found Behich at the back post but with time to bring the ball under control, he could only fire high over the bar.
The Terrors continued searching with Harkes nodding a ball across the face of goal which was duly dealt with by Gogic.
A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY
The Terrors looked certain to score as we entered eight additional minutes.
Following a stramash in the box, substitute Kai Fotheringham’s effort crashed off the post and out for a goal kick.
In the dying minutes, Fotheringham was involved again - slipping in Cudjoe who raced through on goal. The young winger worked a shot with his left foot which was heading for the top corner - only kept out by a superb save from Carson. The rebound fell for fellow substitute Ilmari Niskanen but he could only fire over the bar.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
Manager Jim Goodwin gives his thoughts to DUTV after this afternoon's 1-1 draw with St Mirren #cinchPrem | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/Id9FhdJL3b
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) March 18, 2023
TEAMLINE
Starting XI: Birighitti, Smith (90+’ Freeman), McMann (88’ Cudjoe), Pawlett (58’ Djoum), Fletcher, Edwards, Sibbald, Behich, McGrath (58’ Fotheringham), Harkes (88’ Niskanen), Ayina
Unused substitutes: Newman, Graham, Thomson, MacLeod
NEXT UP
The international break takes place before our return to action against Rangers at Ibrox.
