Match Report - By Steven Mew

Report by Steven Mew

City welcomed Dundee United to Glebe Park in a league match for the first time in 57 years, and it proved to be well worth the wait as both sides played out an entertaining share of the spoils.

It had been a nervy few days for City officials and supporters with freezing temperatures threatening to put the game in doubt, but thanks to the hardy band of volunteers who put the pitch covers down on Friday, and removing them early on Saturday morning – the game was able to go ahead as planned.

A bumper crowd of 2,627 packed into the Glebe for this bottom v top clash, owing largely to a very healthy travelling support from the City of Discovery.

Darren Dods made two changes to the side that gained the first competitive win of the season up at Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup last weekend. Having scored a brace in that game as a substitute, Isaac Layne was given a starting berth at the expense of Jordan Sinclair whilst Euan Spark was drafted into into defence, with Gary Fusco dropping out.

The visitors controlled proceedings from the start with City struggling to retain possession for any length of time. Fraser Fyvie had the first effort of the game on 8 minutes when his speculative effort from 30 yards went wide of goal.

Five minutes later City lost possession in midfield to Billy King who surged forward before producing a shot which stung the hands of Smith in the City goal.

King was at the heart of everything going forward for United – just two minutes later he got to the byline before cutting the ball back into the box – this produced a goalmouth scramble which City just managed to clear to safety.

Sam Stanton was next to have a go for the visitors – his long range shot was saved and cleared to safety by the City defence.

City attacks were few and far between but in the 26th minute Isaac Layne wriggled free of his marker before firing a shot across the face of goal.

Two minutes later however, United finally grabbed the opening goal they deserved. Billy King got himself to the by-line before playing the ball across goal for SCOTT MCDONALD who made no mistake from 3 yards out.

The visitors continued to dictate the play and five minutes before half time McDonald cut inside his marker but his shot went straight into the grateful arms of Smith in the City goal.

At half time, given the way United dominated the first half in terms of both possession and chances, many would have expected the Tangerines to increase their tally. However, it turned out to be a real tale of two halves as City went on to control the second period.

City came flying out the traps and were level within 57 seconds of the restart. Isaac Layne had a shot deflected wide and from the resulting corner from Liam Watt, SEAN CRIGHTON rose highest as he guided his header past Harry Lewis to send the City support into raptures in the Cemetery End.

Just two minutes later, City almost went ahead with an almost carbon copy of the first goal. A corner from Watt was yet again won by the towering Crighton, but his header went narrowly over the bar.

Isaac Layne was causing the United rearguard no end of problems with his strength and direct style of play – he showed some excellent footwork on the edge of the box before blasting over the bar and shortly after, he stepped inside his marker just outside the penalty area but his shot was deflected over.

With 70 minutes on the clock City came agonisingly close to taking the lead. A corner from Liam Watt wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell for captain Paul McLean but his snapshot went inches wide of the post.

The visitors were under immense pressure but they did manage to conjure up a glorious opportunity with nine minutes remaining. Jamie Robson whipped in an inviting low cross from the left side which was met by Scott McDonald right in front of goal, but the Aussie could only guide his effort over the bar.

With time running out, City pushed hard for a winner. Finn Graham, who had a superb game for City, broke clear of the United defence but his powerful shot was well saved by Lewis and cleared away to safety.

As the game entered stoppage time, Connor McLennan was brought down cynically by Tam Scobbie as he looked to break through on goal and the Tangerines’ defender was rightly shown a second yellow card.

Darren Dods threw on Jordan Sinclair in place of Finn Graham in order to take the resulting free kick and it almost proved to be a masterstroke, with the set piece producing an excellent save from Harry Lewis in what proved to be the last kick of the game.

Given the way City performed in the second half and the chances they created, they could perhaps find themselves unfortunate not to have snatched a winner however given the way United dominated the first half, perhaps a draw was a fair result.

City continue to search for their first win in the Championship, but they can travel to Inverness on Tuesday with their heads held high yet again.

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