Match Report - By Grant Hood

Former City manager Ray McKinnon returned to Glebe Park for the first time since departing for Raith Rovers just over a year ago.

His fledgling Dundee United side, preparing for life in the SPFL Championship, blew Darren Dods' Brechin City aside in a torrent of incisive attacking football. The men from Tannadice more than sealed victory with a 4-goal salvo in the first half, eventually winning this Forfarshire Cup Tie by 5-0.

Forfarshire Cup competition rules meant that, in comparison to pre-season friendlies, both sides were limited in the use of trialists and substitutes. City’s starting line up included the by now familiar trialists Elliot Ford and Gareth Rodger up against a United side which many would suspect will not be far away from McKinnon’s first choice starting XI.

It was United who opened the scoring in the 7th minute with Justin Johnson picking up a through ball, cutting in from the right and slotting the ball low past Graeme Smith in the home goal.

City then faced a seemingly endless wave of United attacks which, for a period, were repelled by an outstanding goalkeeping display from home keeper ‘Buzz’. This started with an improvised low header outside his box before moments later former Arbroath striker Simon Murray rounded him – but a combination of Gareth Rodger and Darren McCormack on the goal line stopped the ball spinning into the net.

Murray then had a further two golden chances – both clean through on goal. Firstly a backtracking Rodger blocked his effort, then ‘Buzz’ thwarted him with a save once again. The City keeper was in inspired form as he then blocked goalbound efforts from both Blair Spittal and Charlie Telfer. A slip near the half-way line from McCormack gave Murray another clear run on goal and, again, a backtracking Rodger managed to block.

Just as the torrent appeared to ease, with United actually missing the target a couple of times, City were then hit with 3 goals in the lead up to half-time. Firstly Scott Fraser blasted a shot past ‘Buzz’ into his top right corner, before Spittal shot home following yet another home save – this time from Telfer. Just before half-time Murray finally got his name on the scoresheet, following yet another incisive break forward.

For the second half, City manager Dods changed the defensive shape of the team with Dougie Hill and Finn Graham making substitute appearances. After 52 minutes, City had their first meaningful attempt on goal with Ross Caldwell turning a Chris O’Neil shot goalwards forcing a low diving save from former Rangers keeper Cammy Bell. Moments later, ‘Buzz’ was again forced to race outside the penalty box to block – with the follow-up action seeing Murray unable to get his shot away and a final attempt from Spittal rising over the crossbar.

City’s revised shape made them slightly more solid defensively and, unlike the first half had several more threatening forays into the United half. Andy Jackson and James Dale both drew comfortable saves from the United goalie whilst, in the 64th minute, Ross Caldwell had City’s best chance of the game. The new City frontman found himself through on goal only to blast his 20 yard effort just wide of Bell’s left hand post.

The final quarter of the game was generally played in City’s half with United remaining very much on the front foot – albeit with City defending more effectively and pushing their full-time opponents back periodically. The scoring was completed in the 77th minute with a super goal from United’s Simon Murray. The striking striker gathered possession with his first touch and, with his second, immediately dispatched a dipping volley from 25 yards over Buzz and into the net – a goal enjoyed by the Tannadice travelling support, the majority of whom had a great view of it from within the David H Will stand.

Manager Darren Dods remained upbeat after the game, rightly citing that pre-season was a time to try new formations and learn what works – and what doesn’t – with the squad he has. City now have one further pre-season game scheduled – against Dundee Under-20’s on Tuesday evening – before the football kicks off in earnest the following Tuesday (July 19th) in a home tie against League Two Stirling Albion in the newly re-formatted Betfred Cup.