First Team

MATCH REPORT | A FIVE-STAR DISPLAY AT HAMPDEN

6th April 2024

QUEEN'S PARK 0
DUNDEE UNITED 5 (Fotheringham 45' 64', Moult 55', Graham 59', Sibbald 70')
3PM SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2024
HAMPDEN PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Attendance: 3,109

The Terrors ran riot at the national stadium to take all three points!

THE TEAM TALK

Jim Goodwin named an unchanged DUFC Starting XI this afternoon, coming as no surprise following last weekend's comfortable victory over second-placed Raith Rovers at Tannadice.

Sam McClelland made his second United start following a dominant display alongside Ross Graham at the heart of our defence. The league's most in-form man, Louis Moult, lead the line after picking up the SPFL Goal of the Month and cinch Championship Player of the Month Awards for March.

The only change to the compliment was Archie Meekison taking the place of Rory MacLeod on the bench.

There were six DUFC Academy Graduates involved in our matchday squad. 

A FRANTIC START

Calum Ferrie was the star of the show in the opening exchanges.

We fashioned our first chance within three minutes as Tony Watt slipped the ball to Glenn Middleton inside the box and his left-footed effort stung the palms of the Spiders' shot-stopper. 

As the hosts went up the other end, a neat one-two allowed Ruari Paton a shot at goal, but his effort was straight down the throat of Jack Walton. 

Minutes later, the Queen's Park number 1 was on hand again as Watt lofted a pass for Kai Fotheringham to chase. After initial hesitation, it was our number 18 that got there first and headed onto the crossbar before a super save from point-blank range denied Moult's rebound.

After a barren spell of spot-kicks, we had our second in as many weeks as Fotheringham was chopped down inside the penalty area by Joshua Scott, leaving Duncan Williams no option but to point to the spot. It was our number 9 who stepped up but his low strike was saved well by Ferrie to round off an excellent ten minutes. 

A QUIETER ENCOUNTER

After letting the game flow, there were two yellow cards in quick succession for Fotheringham and Jack Turner.

As the wind picked up, the opportunities seemed to dry out until Scott McMann's sliding challenge on Liam McLeish stopped the Queen's Park man from getting a shot at goal ten minutes from the break. 

JUST REWARDS

It came right on the stroke of half-time, but we finally hit the front. 

Carving open the Queen's Park defence, Watt danced his way past Alex Bannon and Scott before sliding the ball across the box for Fotheringham, who stroked the ball low into the far corner to give us a richly warranted lead.

It was no less than we deserved in a half with 12 attempts and 8 corners. 

LIKE BUSSES

After waiting the entirety of the first half for the opener, we had four more in the 25 minutes following the restart.

Moult was in on the act to continue his rich vein of form, latching on to Scott McMann's long ball and lifting it over Ferrie to double our lead!

The boyhood United man had a goal of his own just before the hour mark. Initially forcing Ferrie into a superb save with a fierce volley, Thomson's resultant corner was met by Graham, whose bullet header had the Queen's Park 'keeper beaten all ends up. 

Fotheringham then hit his brace in rather bizarre circumstances. 

The men in tangerine broke forward in numbers and Sibbald cushioned the ball forward for our number 18 to chase. Gaining control inside the box, he was chopped down before poking the ball low into the corner for our fourth!

 

A FIVE-STAR SHOWING

Four became five as Sibbald was on target with 20 minutes remaining!

A United corner was initially cleared before falling kindly for our number 14 on the edge of the area. Striking first-time, his effort through a number of black and white shirts was deflected into the net. 

We were home and hosed long before the Referee blew the whistle, keeping United top of the table with four to play. 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
 
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
 
TEAMLINES
QUEEN'S PARK

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

Subs: Wills, Robson, Fox, Sheridan, Tizzard, Bruce, Williamson, Mauchin, Carse

DUNDEE UNITED

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

NEXT UP

Friday night football returns as we face Greenock Morton at Cappielow in six days' time. 

Tickets are available HERE!

 

Image: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

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