First Team

MATCH REPORT | CLINICAL UNITED HIT AYR FOR THREE AT SOMERSET

26th August 2023

AYR UNITED 0
DUNDEE UNITED 3 (Holt 58’ 90', Moult 62’)
3PM SATURDAY 26 AUGUST 2023
SOMERSET PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 3,103

A ruthless second-half showing from United ensure all three points come back to Dundee.

 
THE TEAM TALK 

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that drew with Dunfermline Athletic two weeks ago today. 

It was a welcome return to the side for club Captain Ross Docherty who missed the Dunfermline match through injury. Declan Glass also made the starting eleven after featuring from the bench in our opening two league fixtures. 

Kieran Freeman and Craig Sibbald both missed out through injury. 

EARLY SIGHTINGS

Our opening sight at goal fell inside the first minute following a build-up of United possession. 

It was Glass who eventually let fly with a curling effort following link-up from Tony Watt and Glenn Middleton, but the young midfielder’s effort caused no harm for Charlie Albinson as it sailed over the bar. 

We went close to an opener after just four minutes - again Glass involved - this time with some silky footwork to open up space inside the box for a driven cross. As the ball flashed across goal, Watt almost latched on to it but it was just ahead of our number 32 as he was brought to the ground. 

The game seemed to lose some life midway through the half, with the hosts eventually finding their feet. 

FIRST HALF POSITIVES

Ayr almost shot themselves in the foot as Captain Sean McGinty gave away cheap possession as they tried to play out. Glass burst forward and slipped in Moult, but McGinty made amends to block his goal-bound effort. 

United continued to up the intensity after the half-hour mark. 

Docherty was next to try his luck as he curled an effort towards the top corner, Albinson pulling off a smart save to keep the score level. 

The Honest Men’s ‘keeper was on hand again to deny Moult just moments later. This time a strong hand forced a corner at best for the Terrors. 

Ayr went close themselves just over ten minutes from the half as Aidan McGeady delivered a wicked ball to the back post. George Stanger was the closest to connecting but it was just too far ahead of the defender. 

In the last flashpoint of the half, Kevin Holt was on hand to deny McGeady and Ayr the opener as he diverted the ball away from danger with a last-ditch block. 

PICKING UP THE POSITIVES

Goodwin’s side started the second period in the same vein as the first. 

Our first second-half sighting at goal came inside five minutes as a clever lofted pass from Docherty found Moult in behind the Ayr defence, however, a strong save from Albinson ensured the score remained level. 

It took until just before the hour mark to add the goal our performance richly deserved. 

An out-swinging corner from Glass was met head-on by Holt who bulleted his header past Albinson to give us a well-earned lead.

A DELIGHTFUL SECOND

After a patient display, we had our second of the afternoon just four minutes later. 

Latching on to Cudjoe’s pass, Moult lifted the ball over Albinson who despite his best efforts couldn’t keep the ball from crossing the line. 

United made four separate changes as we took control of proceedings:

ON: Meekison, Fotheringham, MacLeod and Mochrie

OFF: Watt, Middleton, Moult and Glass

SEALING THE DEAL

In truth, the game was already done and dusted when Kevin Holt added his second of the afternoon on 90 minutes. 

Again it came courtesy of a corner that Holt met at the back post and turned home from close range. 

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS 
 
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
 
TEAMLINES
Ayr United FC

Starting XI: Albinson, McAllister, Stinger, McGinty (c), Reading, Smith, Musonda, McGeady, McKenzie, Rose, Amartey

Subs: Mutch, Ahui, Young, Pendlebury, Braden, Tomlinson, Ecrepont

Dundee United FC

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Moult, Middleton, Glass, Docherty (c), Cudjoe, Gallagher, Watt, McMann

Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Meekison, Fotheringham, Duffy, Mochrie, MacLeod, Stirton

NEXT UP

We return to Tannadice next Saturday, taking on Airdrieonians in a 3pm kick-off. 

Tickets remain on sale with limited places in hospitality still available. 

CLICK HERE for more details! 

 

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