First Team

MATCH REPORT | UNITED PUT THE SPIDERS TO THE SWORD

24th February 2024

DUNDEE UNITED 3 (MOULT 36', TILLSON 44', MIDDLETON 85')
QUEEN'S PARK 1 (PATON 23')
3PM SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2024
TANNADICE PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 7,341

United came from behind to claim all three points at Tannadice. 

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made four changes to this afternoon’s DUFC XI. 

The standout news was Declan Gallagher returning from injury, being named among the starters for the first time since our victory over Arbroath at the start of January. There was also a second start for DUFC Academy Graduate, Miller Thomson, who was drafted in along with Jordan Tillson and Mathew Cudjoe. 

They replaced Ross Graham, Liam Grimshaw, Glenn Middleton and Kai Fotheringham, who all featured on the bench. 

There were five DUFC Academy graduates involved in our matchday squad. 

POSITIVE OPENING

Our first chance fell inside two minutes as a tidy United move concluded with Cudjoe wriggling into the box, unfortunately firing just wide of the target.

We were forced into an early change as Wotherspoon had to be replaced by Fotheringham after pulling up inside nine minutes. 

There were encouraging signs early on from Thomson with a number of dangerous deliveries into the Queen's Park penalty area. A deep freekick found Cudjoe, who rose highest to head at goal but couldn't keep it under the crossbar. 

Another corner from Thomson caused problems as Jack Thomson could only clear while falling to ground - begrudgingly to the Tannadice crowd who believed there was a hand used in the process. 

AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY

Despite our early dominance, it was the visitors who hit the front as Louis Longridge's cross from the left found Ruari Paton inside the six-yard box to touch home. 

Callum Davidson's side almost doubled their lead following a tidy counter. The ball was worked across the box for Ben McPherson, but his cushioned effort was well saved by Jack Walton to keep us in contention. 

A QUICK TURNAROUND

With 36 minutes on the clock, United drew parity in style through Louis Moult.

More sustained pressure saw Watt chopped down on the edge of the penalty area, with Danny Willson being cautioned in the process. 

Our number 9 stepped up from little over 20 yards and curled a delightful effort unto the top left corner. 

Craig Sibbald almost scored a wonderful solo effort as he danced his way through what looked like endless white and black shirts. Eventually dragging the ball onto his favoured left foot, he curled an effort towards the far corner only for Calum Ferrie to deny him a stunning goal. 

However, we didn't have to wait long as his midfield counterpart put us ahead with a crucial first United goal. 

Watt was involved again, firing a volley into the ground and Jordan Tillson rose highest to nod it beyond Calum Ferrie on the stroke of half-time. 

It was a relatively tame opening to second-half proceedings, Cudjoe racing clear and heading past Ferrie before being thwarted proved to be the only real half-chance.

The Gaffer turned to the bench just after the hour. 

Tillson was somehow cautioned for a point bank range handball before Walton pulled off a super stop to deny Paton's freekick. 

ICING ON THE CAKE

Five minutes from time, Middleton notched his fourth goal of the season to give us clear daylight. 

it was a neatly worked move as his fellow substitute Greive teed him up to fire low into the corner. 

Its three important points as United remain at the top of the cinch Championship. 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

This afternoon's matchday sponsors, CalFoth Construction LTD, picked Craig Sibbald as their Player of the Match!

 

TEAMLINES

DUNDEE UNITED

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Moult, Wotherspoon, Sibbald, Tillson, Cudjoe, Thomson, Gallagher, Watt, McMann

Subs: Newman, McClelland, Graham, Greive, Grimshaw, Middleton, Meekison, Fotheringham, Mochrie

QUEEN'S PARK

Starting XI: Ferrie, Mcpherson, Bannon, Wilson, Thomson, Paton, Thomas (c), Turner, Longridge, Scott, Welsh

Subs: Kane, Robson, Sheridan, Tizzard, Bruce, Mckinstry, Mcleish, Mauchin, Carse

NEXT UP

It's a quick turnaround as Airdrieonians visit Tannadice on Tuesday evening. 

Tickets are available HERE!

 

Images: Richard Wiseman.

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