RESERVES: UNITED 1 HEARTS 1

On a blustery afternoon in St Andrews at Dundee United’s High Performance Centre at St Andrews University, it ended one a piece between Brian Grant’s Dundee United side and Andy Kirk’s Hearts outfit.

By Ross Starke

The game was played to a good standard despite the best efforts of the East Coast wind to ruin proceedings, with both sides moving the ball around at pace and both goalkeepers tested in the early exchanges. Aidan Keena put Hearts ahead on twenty-five minutes with a penalty after Lewis Neilson was judged to have fouled him in the box, albeit general opinion was that it had been a harsh call from the referee. United found themselves one down at the break and came out in the second half trying to get back in the game. The Smiths, Matty and Cammy, both went close before Ian Harkes emulated his exploits in August’s Dundee derby with a cracker from twenty-four yards, leaving the Hearts keeper no chance. 

Both teams pressed for the winner and Archie Meekison, fresh from his first showing on the first team bench, looked lively when he joined the action. At the other end, Deniz had to remain alert throughout with some smart stops preventing Hearts regaining the lead.

All things told it was a well fought encounter between the two sides who didn’t let the drafty conditions get the better of the game.

United: Deniz, Cooney, Davidson, Neilson, Graham, King, D. Watson (Mochrie), Harkes, M. Smith (Jones), C. Smith, Chalmers (Meekison)

Subs : Jones, Fraser, Mochrie, Meekison