First Team

MATCH REPORT | UNITED FALL TO DEFEAT AT EAST END PARK

15th March 2024

DUNFERMLINE ATH. 3 (TODD 11', RITCHIE-HOSLER 37', 53')
DUNDEE UNITED 1 (BENEDICTUS OG '80)
7.45PM FRIDAY 15 MARCH 2024
EAST END PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 6,368

It was a disappointing evening in Fife as Dunfermline ran out comfortable winners. 

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin made two changes to this evening's DUFC XI! 

Alex Greive was one of those handed a start following his goal and assist as a second-half substitute on Saturday. Jordan Tillson was our other change as Glenn Middleton and Kai Fotheringham were replaced and both featured on the bench. 

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

AN EARLY BLOW

In the opening flashpoint, there was an early caution for Chris Hamilton as he failed to let go of Craig Sibbald's shirt following a smart turn from our number 14 in the middle of the park inside four minutes. 

Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges before the hosts took the lead through Matty Todd just after the ten-minute mark. Neat play initially from Alex Jakubiak saw off a number of United defenders before firing the ball out to Kane Ritchie-Hosler on the opposite flank. His cutback was inch perfect for The Pars' number 10 who was alive in the box to slide home. 

ADDING TO OUR WOES

Many of the men in tangerine looked somewhat puzzled when Hamilton escaped a second yellow card for bundling down Watt just inside The Pars' half. To add to the troubles, it was our number 32 that was instead cautioned for simulation. 

It was to be the least of our worries before the half, as Ritchie-Hosler curled in Dunfermline's second eight minutes from time. 

A BRIGHTER SPELL

We made our first change at the break as Middleton replaced Tillson in search of some much-needed attacking threat. 

Our number 15 was almost involved straight away as Gallagher's long throw was helped on by Louis Moult - but Middleton's well struck shot was blocked by a number of black and white shirts. 

We really should have halved the deficit as Moult took aim from close range but could only fire wide of the mark. 

ANOTHER SUCKER PUNCH

Just moments after our two best chances the game was out of sight as Ritchie-Hosler notched a brace. 

McMann had his pocket picked in the middle of the park sending Ritchie-Hosler and Jakubiak racing clear. A simple one-two saw the latter slide the ball across the face of goal for The Pars' number 7 to curl the ball around Walton. 

There was more body on the line defending as Moult and Watt both had efforts blocked before Middleton fired just wide of the far post with a low drive. 

We made a double switch just after the hour:

A CONSOLATION

We did pull one back with ten minutes to play as Middleton's cross was deflected into the net by Kyle Benedictus. 

However, it was too little too late as the hosts were well worthy of the points in the end. 

POST MATCH THOUGHTS
 
TEAMLINES
DUNFERMLINE ATH.

Starting XI: Mehmet, Edwards, Benedictus (c), Hamilton, Otoo, Ritchie-Hosler, Todd, Jakubiak, Summers, Welch-Hayes, Fagan-Walcot

Subs: Little, Chalmers, McCann, Fisher, Moffat, Allan, O'Halloran, Sutherland, Holmes

DUNDEE UNITED

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Greive, Moult, Sibbald, Tillson, Docherty (c), Thomson, Gallagher, Watt, Mcmann
 
Subs: Newman, McClelland, Graham, Grimshaw Middleton, Meekison, Fotheringham, Mochrie, Cudjoe

NEXT UP

A home doubleheader is on the horizon, as we take on Inverness CT before facing Raith Rovers to see out March. 

Tickets are available HERE!

 

Image: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

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