United Secure Three Points With Two-Goal Controlled Performance

A solid if not spectacular performance from Laszlo’s men sees them come away from the Falkirk Stadium with three points and exorcise the demons from their last trip.

By Tommy McKay

First Half:

United started brightest in the cold Falkirk sunshine and forced a corner and had success up the left hand side but could not fashion a chance early on despite Loemba seeing a lot of the ball.

United’s first sight of goal came from an ambitious volley from Rabitsch on 13 minutes.  After Robson's long through was only half cleared, Rabitsch let fly from 22 yards but despite connecting well and keeping his effort down it was a good couple of yards past the post.

Despite not seeing much of the play Falkirk almost took the lead in 17 minutes when the United defence allowed a long throw to bounce into the box and Petravicius nipped in ahead of Rakovan but his header from four yards thankfully went over the bar.

Another half chance fell United’s way on 34 minutes.  After good work on the edge of the box from McMullan, his cross-cum-shot across goal was turned out for a corner by Dallison, however, the defender was inches away from scoring an own goal.

On 40 minutes Aird got the ball into the box at the second attempt and after great hold up play from Safranko, his layoff to Loemba was blazed over the bar by the Belgian winger.

Despite dominating possession United couldn’t fashion another chance before both teams headed down the tunnel for half time.

 
Second Half:

The 1st chance of the second half fell to the hosts. A low drive from Petravicius was parried well by Rakovan and despite the rebound falling to Haber he elected to pass as his back was to goal but Robson did well to clear.

It was United who a deserved lead though on 59 minutes when an Aird cross from the right was bulleted home by Safranko after Fasan in the Falkirk goal committed himself and didn’t get there.

MacKinnon in the Falkirk dugout immediately brought on Lewis and Kidd but they almost found themselves 0-2 down after great work from Loemba in the box he turned the defender Muirhead inside before rifling a shot which flew past the keeper but was headed off the line by Harrison.  From the clearance, Falkirk immediately broke up the park and after finding himself in acres of space 8 yards out Petravicius shot a yard wide after being found by Rudden’s cross.

On 71 United needed Rakovan to keep them in lead.  The giant United goalkeeper made an impressive, brave block from a McKee effort inside the United penalty area.

In the 85th minute, Curran made it 0-2 to United.  King won a free kick wide of the Falkirk box and despite Loemba’s effort being blocked by the 2 man wall his second attempt at a cross found Craig Curran who’s deft header lofted over Fasan’s outstretched glove and dropped into the net.

After the second goal went in United would see the game out well without fashioning another clear-cut chance.  Its now 5 games unbeaten for Lazlo’s men which will give them confidence going into next weeks match at Tannadice against title challengers Ross County. 

Man of the Match: Yanick Loemba – It was a professional if not a spectacular performance from the men in tangerine with all 11 players being solid as a unit but due to his assist and his willingness to always be direct the Belgian shades it today.

Falkirk: Fasan, Muirhead, Dallison, Paton, Petravicius, Harrison, Brough, Rudden, McKee (Robson), Haber (Lewis), Irving (Kidd) 

Subs Mutch, Sammut, Froxylias, Mackin

Dundee United: Rakovan, Frans, McMullan (King), Curran, Safranko, Robson, Bouhenna, Rabitsch, Aird, Watson, Loemba 

Subs: Siegrist, Booth, Barton, Smith, Wardrop, Edjenguele

Referee: Alan Muirhead
Assistants: Joseph Lawson & Bill Baxter
Attendance: 4933 (918 Arabs)