First Team
EVERY WORD | JACK WALTON LOOKS AHEAD TO IBROX TEST
21st November 2024
DUNDEE UNITED 2 (WATT 6', MOULT 76')
RAITH ROVERS 0
3PM SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2024
TANNADICE PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Attendance: 10,336
The Terrors do their talking on the pitch, running out comfortable winners at Tannadice.
THE TEAM TALK
Jim Goodwin made four changes to this afternoon's DUFC XI!
Ross Graham and Louis Moult both came into the side after making an impact from the bench last weekend, whilst Sam McClelland was handed his first United start.
There was positive news on the injury front as Scott McMann was back in the side after missing our clash with Inverness and David Wotherspoon was declared fit and available from the bench for the first time since February.
On the contrary, Kevin Holt and Declan Gallagher both missed out whilst Alex Greive and Liam Grimshaw were named among the substitutes.
Samuel Cleall-Harding was one of six DUFC Academy Graduates involved in our matchday squad.
AN EARLY ASCENDENCY
Despite some early pressure from the visitors, it was United who hit the front through Tony Watt.
Six minutes into a cagey affair, a long ball was smartly nodded down by Moult inside the box for our number 32 to control on his knee and cushion past Kevin Dabrowski on the volley.
There was more impressive link-up between our front two as Watt nodded the ball into the path of Moult this time who pulled the trigger. Only a strong save from Dabrowski kept his volley out!
McMann had a chance of his own on 25 minutes as his goalbound cross cum shot was deflected behind by early substitute Keith Watson. The visiting 'keeper was called into action again as Watt found room in the box from a corner - Dabrowski equal to his header in the end.
APPROACHING THE HALF
Watt again went close to scoring. Clever movement following a corner opened up space for a header but Dabrowski was equal to his effort.
The visitors almost restored parity through Zak Rudden as his curling effort from distance crashed off of the crossbar.
Tempers threatened to spill with three late yellow cards for Liam Dick, Watt and Rudden. There was angst amongst the United faithful as Kyle Turner and Watson both escaped cautions.
A SCRAPPY START
The battle was matched in the opening exchanges of the second half, neither side quite doing enough to fashion a chance. There was an early yellow for Josh Mullin as he scythed down Sibbald in the centre of the park and Watson eventually got his booking on 65 minutes as he brought down Watt.
BIDING OUR TIME
We should have doubled our lead as a teasing cross from Docherty was headed over from close range by Watt.
It was almost déjà vu as Docherty this time picked out Moult who was bundled to the ground as Nick Walsh pointed straight to the spot with 14 to play. Our number 9 made no mistake from 12 yards as he sent Dabrowski the wrong way.
It proved to be enough to secure all three points in a dominant display from Goodwin's men.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Your #UTDRAI ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????, chosen by Blyths of Fife ???? pic.twitter.com/Bcgo0B3ozo
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) March 30, 2024
TEAMLINES
Dundee United FC
Starting XI: Walton, McClelland, Graham, Moult, Sibbald, Middleton, Fotheringham, Docherty, Thomson, Watt, McMann
Subs: Newman, Greive, Grimshaw, Wotherspoon, Tillson, Mochrie, MacLeod, Cudjoe, Cleall-Harding
Raith Rovers
Starting XI: Dabrowski, J.Brown, S.Brown (c), Murray, Dick, Turner, Mullin, Stanton, Easton, Rudden, Vaughan
Subs: McNeil, Corr, Watson, McGill, Matthews, Byrne, Smith, Hamilton, Connolly
NEXT UP
The National Stadium awaits as we take on Queen's Park at Hampden next weekend.
Image: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)
