MATCH REPORT | GOAL-FEST AT THE FALKIRK STADIUM AS UNITED B DEFEAT THE BAIRNS

FALKIRK 2 (LAWAL, HONEYMAN)
DUNDEE UNITED 4 (CARNWATH, DENHAM, DENHAM, CAMERON)
14:00 TUESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
THE FALKIRK STADIUM

Dundee United B headed for The Falkirk Stadium for their second cinch Reserve League Cup match of the 2023/24 campaign.

Last Time Out

Last time out, the Terrors were embroiled in an entertaining Dundee Derby at North End Park. 

Both Rory MacLeod and Miller Thomson found the target with long-range efforts, with the latter coming deep into second-half stoppage time to send the tie to penalties. The Dees would hold their nerve to convert all five spot-kicks and claim the bonus point.

Team Talk

Five changes were made to the side that contested the aforementioned clash with Dundee, as Ruairidh Adams, Samuel Cleall-Harding, Bryan Mwangi and Miller Thomson all dropped out of the matchday squad. Young Terrors’ summer signing Charlie Dewar also receded from the starting line-up to take a place on the bench.

Scotland U21s star Jack Newman claimed the number one jersey, whilst U18s mainstays Scott Constable, Brandon Forbes and Owen Stirton were all given the nod to start in Strlingshire. The final alteration saw Craig Moore step into the centre of midfield.

Early Opportunities

Inside 20 seconds, the hosts were presented with a glaring opportunity to open the scoring when Oliie Denham’s square pass along the backline lacked the requisite pace to reach his defensive partner Greg Petrie. Jordan Allan was on hand to intercept, but could only steer over the onrushing Newman’s crossbar from 15 yards.

The frontman would go close once more in the opening exchanges, this time being fed by Rhys Walker on the edge of the D and forcing Newman into action down to his right.

United’s first clear-cut chance of the 90 minutes fell the way of Stirton. Adam Carnwath escaped down the right to deliver a low cross along the six-yard line which was half-cleared by Max McGinlay. 

Stirton had time to steady himself as he collected the ball inside the area but failed to test Bairns’ stopper Sam Long with his eventual half-volley.

The deadlock would be broken on the 17-minute mark after a free-flowing counter-attack by the visitors, involving Lewis O’Donnell, Moore and Constable who collectively progressed the ball more than 50 yards at a phenomenal speed.

Carnwath received on the edge of the area and pulled the trigger, with a deflection off Liam Carmichael cruelly wrong-footing Long and seeing the ball nestling into the back of the net.

Denham at the Double

At the midway point of the first period, United doubled their tally through Ollie Denham. A wicked O’Donnell corner landed perfectly on the head of the Welshman who made no mistake from point-blank range with his bullet header.

The Terrors were now fully in control of proceedings at The Falkirk Stadium and, on the half-hour mark, Denham would grab his second and United’s third in emphatic fashion.

Following a sustained period of possession in the attacking half, the Cardiff City loanee strode forward towards the penalty area, side-stepping two despairing challenges before reversing the ball back across the ‘keeper from distance to pick out the bottom corner.

The visitors continued to dominate, with a disjointed Falkirk press proving easy for United to pick their way through. Moore and O’Donnell toyed with their midfield counterparts, acting as the metronome for Brian Grant and Andy Payne’s side, whilst Stirton used his frame well to link play nicely with his back to goal.

On the right Constable and Carnwath combined sharply to leave Sean Mackie chasing shadows, and the former flashed an inviting ball across the face of goal which Forbes was inches away from turning home for number four.

Lull Period

Having made three changes in the early stages of the second half, United took time to find their feet again, but kept a tight grasp on the three points as they refused to surrender any chances to their opponents. 

The first action of note after the break brought a consolation goal for Falkirk. After Alan Domeracki had lost out on a 50/50 in midfield, the scraps ran through to Walker who charged towards the box, eventually being felled by Denham just 20 yards from goal.

Ola Lawal, influential for the home side, stepped up to take the resultant free-kick and beat Newman with a low effort which kissed the post on its way in.

United responded through Flynn Duffy as the skipper danced his way into the area from the left and unleashed a low drive which forced Long into a strong save with his feet.

Late Strikes at Either End

A quiet second period burst into life in the closing stages with a late flurry of goals. Two minutes from time, Zeke Cameron notched United’s fourth from less than three yards out, Falkirk ‘keeper Long fumbling Constable’s looping delivery to present the substitute with a gift.

From the restart of play, a searching ball up towards Falkirk frontman Scott Honeyman was missed by the away side’s defence amid claims for offside. The 18-year-old played to the whistle and got his just rewards, drilling low beyond Newman into the near post.

With the last kick of the match, MacLeod blazed over the bar from just behind the penalty spot after being teed up by the impressive Stirton.

Lay of the Land

United now occupy second place in Group Two of the cinch Reserve League Cup, just one point behind their city rivals. The final match of the group phase sees us welcome Dunfermline Athletic to Foundation Park next month.

Teamlines

FALKIRK

Starting XI: Long, McGinlay, Mackie, Carmichael, Burke, McCrone, Lawal, Allan, Honeyman, Walker, Sinclair

Subs: Hayward, McCafferty, Simeon, Knox, Nicol, McNab, Howe, Mill

UNITED

Starting XI: Newman, Constable, Duffy, Petrie, Denham, O'Donnell, Carnwath, Moore, Stirton, MacLeod, Forbes

Subs: Haldane, Trotter, Borland, Domeracki, Cameron, Bertie, Dewar