Match Report - By Steven Mew

Report by Steven Mew

It was the proverbial game of two halves at Glebe Park last night as Dundee United struck five second half goals past a City side who still remain without a win in the league this season.

City performed admirably throughout the first 45 minutes and were just a lick of paint away from taking the lead just a minute into the second half when Mackin hit the inside of the post. However, the quality and full time fitness of United was evident thereafter as they ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Skipper Paul McLean returned to the side following his suspension at the expense of Euan Smith, whilst Dylan Mackin came in for Finn Graham as Darren Dods opted to start with two strikers.

City started the game brightly and had the first effort after just two minutes when Mackin curled high and wide from the edge of the box. The visitors were next to threaten shortly after when a free kick was only cleared as far as Billy King on the edge of the box but he couldn’t keep his volley down.

Graeme Smith was called into action on 9 minutes when Sam Stanton played the ball forward for Paul McMullan who drilled a low effort towards goal but the City stopper got down well to save. Almost immediately up at the other end, a cross from Sinclair was met by Mackin but Deniz did well to tip over the bar. From the resulting corner, Paul McLean headed over at the back post.

The lively end-to-end nature of the game continued as the lively Mikkelsen connected well from a cross however ‘Buzz’ was quick off his line to collect.

Manager Darren Dods was forced into an early change after 15 minutes when Jordan Sinclair had to come off with an injury. He was replaced by Finn Graham who was immediately in the thick of things when he burst forward before releasing the ball for Layne but his shot was straight at Deniz in the United goal. Layne had another opportunity a few minutes later but again his shot didn’t trouble the keeper.

There was a good opportunity for United after 26 minutes when a cross by ex-City loanee Jamie Robson was met by Stanton at the near post but he could only direct his header into the side netting.

Despite City’s well documented struggles this season, they were competing well in all areas of the pitch and had a spell of sustained pressure on the United defence, albeit without testing the keeper.

Mikkelsen up top was causing the City rearguard some problems – he took advantage of some slack City passing in midfield to advance forward with the ball before playing a reverse pass to McMullan who curled over the bar. A minute later, Mikkelsen latched on to a ball over the top and bore down on goal but Smith got down well to save his effort.

There was a moment of controversy on 41 minutes when Grant Gillespie went in with a dangerous lunge on Callum Tapping. The City supporters called for a red card to be issued however referee Craig Charleston opted for a yellow.

The last real opportunity of the half fell to City when Layne got on the end of Tapping’s cross however he could only loop his header straight at Deniz.

Barely a minute into the second period, the visitors were given a real scare when Mackin found some space on the edge of the box, his low shot beat the keeper however struck the inside of the post before being cleared to safety.

City supporters at this stage could be forgiven for thinking that their side could defy the odds and grab a famous win. Given the way City were performing, few would have anticipated what was to come.

Ex-Celtic striker Scott McDonald, who had come on at half time for the Tangerines made a huge diference as their full time fitness started to shine through. McDonald got the byline and his low cross was met by Mikkelsen but Smith was on hand to block his effort.

The Aussie was not to be denied six minutes into the second half as the visitors broke the deadlock. A cross to the back post was headed back across goal by McMullan and SCOTT MCDONALD was in the right place at the right time to rifle into the net.

Just five minutes later the advantage was doubled. McDonald defied his tender years with a sharp burst of pace after winning possession in the middle of the park – he sent BILLY KING clean through on goal and he made no mistake, lashing high into the net despite Smith getting a slight hand to it.

Shortly after the hour mark, a powerful, deflected effort from range by Willo Flood nearly caught Smith out however he did well to parry the shot away.

‘Buzz’ was a busy man between the sticks and again he made a terrific save to deny a third goal. Billy King got behind the City defence but his end effort was kept out by the outstretched hand of Smith.

The visitors put the game to bed on 79 minutes as they made it 3-0. A low cross from the right side by Ralston found SCOTT MCDONALD who swept the ball home for his second of the night.

Quite remarkably, it was four just a couple of minutes later. United won a free kick around 20 yards from goal and substitute SCOTT FRASER, who had only come on to the field a few minutes prior, curled a stunning free kick into the net via the underside of the bar.

A miserable second half for City was rounded off two minutes from time when the Tangerines added a fifth goal. A lofted corner from Fraser was met by the towering BILEL MOHSNI who powered a header past Smith.

City can perhaps feel a little hard done by given the way they played in the first half and positives can be taken, however United turned on the style in the second half and may well be coming into form at just the right time of the season for the playoffs.

Next up for City is a difficult trip to face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena this Saturday.

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