MATCH REPORT: FALKIRK (H)

The Tangerines romped to victory at Tannadcice this afternoon to go three points clear at the top of the Championship table. All the damage was done during a dominant first half which saw goals from McDonald, Robson and Flood leaving Falkirk unable to respond. 

By Ally Stewart 

In just the 3rd minute Billy King received a cross field ball on the left side and made his way off the wing and into the edge of the Falkirk box. He then unleashed a rocket of a shot with his right foot which swerved beyond goalkeeper Robbie Thomson and off the underside of the bar. Shortly after another spectacular effort from 30 yards from Fyvie was tipped over by Thomson as United sought the early breakthrough.

The Tangerines made the breakthrough their early dominance merited in the 20th minute, after good build up allowed Robson to work his way into the box from the left. His ball into a crowded area found a way to McDonald who with his back to goal deftly guided the ball over Thomson and into the far corner of the net. 8 minutes later it should’ve been another after an inswinging cross from King was blocked and fell invitingly to Murdoch 5 yards out. Keeper Thomson made the block from point blank range before Murdoch’s ambitious overhead attempt on the rebound cleared the bar. Before half time United deservedly doubled their advantage and it was another well-worked move that created the opening. When Murdoch received the ball in acres of space on the right he was able to pick out Robson at the penalty spot who controlled before spinning and drilling low into the net. Just before half time the Terrors added a third which was no more than they deserved after a 45 minutes of complete dominance. Stanton sent Flood clear on the right side of the Falkirk midfield and the Irishman continued on himself before drilling low across goal into the corner. 

As is often the case after such a controlling opening half, the game initially lacked the same intensity following the break with United happy to knock the ball around as the visitors tried to create a lifeline. Aside from a James Craigen effort which was Falkirk’s first of note in the game, neither goal had been troubled until a lovely move created another opening for the home team in 64 minutes. McDonald took the ball down and fed to half time sub McMullan whose neat ball sent Fraser in on goal. Thomson did well to come out and close the midfielder down before saving to prevent further damage for his side. It should've been a fourth after 73 minutes when King’s shot from the edge of the box was parried out by Thomson, with Fraser pouncing on the rebound and crashing a shot off the underside of the bar from a tight angle. As the Falkirk rearguard struggled to clear Fyvie had a chance to finish but steered his shot well wide of the post letting the visitors off the hook. Thomson was called into action yet again with just under 10 minutes left, blocking Stanton’s powerful angled drive before Fraser saw his shot towards the far corner headed away from goal. With 3 minutes to go Fyvie ended yet another drive forward from midfield with another United shot off the woodwork, this time his curling a right foot shot past Thomson and off the base of the post in what was the last piece of action on a satisfying afternoon for United.  

United – Lewis, Murdoch, Scobbie, Durnan, McDonald (N’Koyi 83), Fraser (Quinn 86), King, Stanton, Flood (McMullan 46) Robson, Fyvie. Subs not used – Mehmet, Edjenguele, Smith, Chalmers. 

Falkirk – Thomson, McGhee, Muirhead, Grant, McKee (Dunne 58), Kerr, Longridge, Harris, Miller (Austin 46), Gallagher (Craigen 28), Blues. Subs not used - Mutch, Kidd, Hippolyte, Loy, Dunne.  

Attendance -  5915 

Referee – Alan Muir