Dundee United 4 Brechin City 1

A ruthless start to both halves ensured United had no repeat of the stalemate the two teams shared in November.

By Tommy McKay

United flew out the traps and were 2-0 up within six minutes of the 1st half.  On the second minute United were ahead.  After the Brechin had initially cut out Robson’s pass, the loose ball was collected by King who found Robson on the overlap and his cut back was swept home by McDonald from just inside the box.

On six minutes it was 2-0.  King did well to win a corner which found the on-rushing Stanton who swept the ball home in the congested Brechin box. 

United were finding a lot of joy down the left side with King and Jamie Robson combining well on several occasions however they couldn’t carve out another goal and the initial blitz of attacks tapered off.  McMullan was also regularly finding the by-line however United couldn’t find a killer pass or finish.

In the last minute of the half Durnan and Layne clashed which resulted in Durnan not appearing for the second half and being replaced by Cammy Ballantyne who had just returned to the club after being recalled from his successful loan spell with Montrose. 

Second Half

Laszlo’s men started the half the same way they did the 1st and blew Brechin away with two quickfire goals.   

Scott McDonald got his second of the game and put the game beyond Brechin on 49 minutes.  Stanton did well to collect a poor Brechin clearance and found the returning Ballantyne who’s first time fizzing cross found McDonald centrally, 10 yards out and he blasted the ball beyond Smith in the Brechin goal. 

Two minutes later and it was McDonald causing havoc again.  This time he burst through into the box and was taken out by the onrushing Smith.  Referee Newlands then pointed to the spot and booked Smith.  Despite being on a hat-trick James Keatings stepped up and slammed the ball past Smith who didn’t even move. 

On 55 minutes Scott Allardice came on for Willo Flood who gave a captain’s performance on a day where he was playing with six stiches in a nasty knee gash he sustained only four days prior.

On 59 minutes United were down to ten men when Paul McMullan was sent off at Tannadice for the second time this season.  After receiving a booking in the 1st half for a cynical foul, a second followed for simulation when he went down on the edge of the Brechin box.

On 64 minutes the Tannadice faithful, and the players, were left perplexed when Brechin were awarded a penalty.  After a series of corners, the referee booked Scobbie and pointed to the spot.  Sinclair duly lashed home the resulting spot kick.

Despite being on top for a short spell after the penalty, in which Lewis was called into action once, Brechin rarely looked like mounting a comeback.          

With minutes remaining on the clock Billy King had the opportunity to make it 5-1 when he was put through by Smith.  After his initial shot was well saved by Smith, King took his time before steading himself and having another shot, but again Smith was equal to the task.

A professional performance from the home side which, coupled with St. Mirren’s draw in Greenock, mean United close the gap at the top of the Championship.  They now sit three points and three goals behind St. Mirren with a game vs Queen of The South in hand.

Man of the Match:  Scott McDonald – Jamie Robson had a great 1st half, as did King but for his two goals, which could’ve been more, McDonald shades it for me.  Stanton also played well and Scobbie was assured as always but Skippy was the difference between the two teams.  Special mention to Cammy Ballantyne who looked like he’ll be an asset to the first team. 

Dundee United: Lewis, Scobbie, Durnan (Ballantyne), Quinn, Robson, McMullan, Stanton, Flood (Allardice), King, Keatings (Smith), McDonald

Subs not used: Deniz, Appere, Chalmers, Inglis

Booked: Scobbie, Allardice, McMullan

Sent Off: McMullan

Brechin City: Smith, Smith, Crighton, Fusco, Lynas, Sinclair (Orsi), Dale, Graham (Watt) Spark, McLennan, Layne (Jackson) 

Subs not used: McLean, Dyer, O’Neil, O’Neil

Referee: Alan Newlands