Inverness CT 1 United 0

A poor United were beaten one nil at a windy Tulloch Caledonian Stadium seeing them head back down the A9 empty handed.

By Alasdair Marnoch

After United’s draw at home to Dunfermline, Laszlo made two changes, bringing on Mikkelsen and Edjenguélé. 

First Half: United started the game strong setting up some promising opportunities in the first ten minutes. Ralston struggled to control an excellent cross from Robson with it going out for a goal kick; just minutes later McDonald ran down the middle trying to seek the back of the net from 20 yards out but the Caley keeper wasn’t troubled with it going straight into his arms. 

Caley missed an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the twenty first minute, with striker George Oakley heading the ball over the cross bar from inside the six yard box. Oakley attempted to redeem himself seven minutes later with a low long range effort being easily dealt with by Harry Lewis. 

The first half was littered with scrappy challenges and not much football played being played by either side. The first booking of the game was issued to Caley’s left back, Carl Tremarco after a late challenge on Ralston who was running down the wing with space in front of him. Bilel Moshni was also forced to have a few words with Vigurs after he clattered into him.

The hosts took the lead in the final minute of the first half, Aaron Doran finding himself in plenty space inside the box tapping the ball past Lewis with his left foot and into the goal. 

Second Half: Caley established themselves as the more dominant of the two teams, with Austin putting a chance just wide of the post in the 49th minute. Ten minutes later Harry Lewis was called into action after a shot from Mackay having been assisted by the goal scorer Aaron Doran. 

Scott McDonald squandered United’s closest chance of the game in the 75th minute sending the ball over the bar off a volley, missing the opportunity to take his time and control the ball. 

There was a scramble in Caley’s box with United having numerous opportunities to break even but the ball fell to Stanton who fired the ball over the bar and was replaced not long after by Billy King.

Summary: It was a scrappy game where United only registered one shot on target. Neither team played particularly well but Caley seemed to play a more positive form of football to win them the three points. 

Man of the Match: Harry Lewis made a number of good saves throughout the match and helped limit the number of goals that Caley could have scored. 

Inverness Caley: Ridgers, Tremarco, Warren, Polworth, Austin (Mackay, 60’), Doran, Vigurs, Oakley, McKay, Donaldson, Trafford (Chalmers, 81’)

Subs not used: Esson, Calder, Seedorf, Elbouzedi, Bell,

Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, McDonald, Mikkelsen (Smith, 45’), Fraser (Lyng, 60’), Stanton (King, 80’), Edjenguélé, Flood (c), Robson, Ralston, Mohsni

Subs not used: Deniz, Durban, Slater, Gilespie

Referee: Greg Aitken