Club
Dundee United Signed Memorabilia with From the Club
12th November 2024
Three second-half goals seal all three points as the Terrors maintain fourth place ahead of the international break.
Dundee United 3 (Stephenson 58', Dalby 68', Stirton 90+')
Ross County 0
3pm Saturday 9 November 2024
The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park
William Hill Premiership
Attendance: 8,349
Images: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)
Team News
Jim Goodwin made just one change to the side that nicked a point at Easter Road last weekend.
With three goals in his last four outings, Sam Dalby continued to lead the tangerine charges - this time accompanied in the forward line as Jort van der Sande replaced Glenn Middleton who dropped to the bench.
There was some positive news from the medical room as Ross Docherty was fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes. However, Kristijan Trapanovski - forced off through injury last week - missed out.
They were four DUFC Academy graduates involved in this afternoon's matchday squad.
Early Warning Signs
There was an early chance for the visitors as Jordan White neatly brought down a cross for Aidan Denholm to strike at goal, but his effort was blocked before causing Jack Walton any concern.
White then had a chance of his own as he met Elijah Campbell's corner, but his header from mere yards out sailed over the bar...
Taking a Grip
A positive ten minutes followed as Connor Randall prevented a certain opening goal as David Babunski looked to add another to goal against the Staggies back in August. It came as Sam Dalby collected a loose ball, skipped around Ross Laidlaw, and delivered a cut-back to our number 10, but the County captain made a timely clearance.
Chances continued to fall as Babunski threaded a long ball for Will Ferry to collect - his zipped pass across the face of goal flew narrowly wide of the far post without any takers.
Laidlaw was then forced into a save as Vicko Ševelj tested his luck from range, but the Staggies' number one palmed clear of any danger.
An arrowed effort from Babunski was then blocked en route before a swivel and pull of the trigger from Dalby was dealt the same fate.
Akil Wright was shown the first caution as we headed for the half in a match that had now become regularly interrupted by John Beaton's whistle.
On The Hunt
Ševelj almost opened his United account in style five minutes after the restart.
Ryan Strain did well to keep the ball alive initially - hooking a cross back into a bustling penalty area. As it broke, the United number five met it facing away from the goal and cracked the post with a wicked, curling effort.
Bullseye
Our well-merited opener came just three minutes before the hour.
It was an excellent move from United as Emmanuel Adegoyega was strong in a challenge before coming away with the ball and setting Luca Stephenson free. Spreading it to the opposite flank Stephenson then continued his charge into the area and Ferry's delightful cross was on the money for him to bullet a diving header beyond Laidlaw.
Doubling Down
Our second came just over ten minutes later as Dalby continued his red-hot form!
It was our Macedonian magician who carved the game open. With the ball coming over his shoulder, he expertly hooked an early pass in behind the Staggies’ rear guard for Dalby to chase. Racing past the high line, the Englishman took a touch to steady himself before cooly poking it past Laidlaw to double our lead.
A Moment to Remember
Entering the fray in stoppage time, Owen Stirton hit the net just 70 seconds into his Premiership debut to notch his first United goal!
Ferry was involved again, driving to the byline, putting on the brakes and cutting it back for Ševelj to float in a cross that was helped on by a County man. Waiting to pounce on the six-yard line was Stirton to nod home in front of the Eddie Thompson faithful.
The three goals wrapped up all three points as Goodwin’s side continued their impressive start upon returning to the top table of Scottish football.
TEAMLINES
Dundee United
Starting XI: Walton, Strain, Holt, Ševelj, Babunski (c), Ferry, Adegboyega, Stephenson, Dalby, van der Sande, Gallagher
Subs: Richards, Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Docherty, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Meshack
Ross County
Starting XI: Laidlaw, Brown, Leak, Wright, Randall, Hale, Denholm, Campbell, Lopata, Nisbet, White
Subs: Hamilton, Allardice, Chilvers, Grieves, Telfer, Efete, Samuel, Brophy, Reid
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
Jim Goodwin's take on this afternoon's victory:
?? Going into the break on a high
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) November 9, 2024
?? Solid at the back
?? Clinical in the area
?? Roy of the Rovers finale#DUFC Manager Jim Goodwin discusses the key moments from this afternoon's @WilliamHill Premiership triumph over Ross County ????????? pic.twitter.com/DKA70OELWd
Next Up
Attention turns to Ibrox after next weekend's international break.
