First Team

Match Report | Dundee United 2-0 St Johnstone

24th August 2024

Two second-half goals give us our first three points of the season. 

Dundee United 2 (Stephenson '54, Sanders OG 88')

St Johnstone 0

3pm Saturday 24 August 2024

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 9,625

Team News

Jim Goodwin named a fully unchanged matchday squad following last weekend's Premier Sports Cup victory over St Mirren.  

A change in shape that seemed to pay dividends meant Kevin Holt once again started as a sitting midfielder, with Craig Sibbald and David Babunskin for company.

Will Ferry and Luca Stephenson occupied either flank while Kristijan Trapanovski and Jort Van Der Sande led the line. 

Babunski, Trapanovski, van der Sande and Richard Odada were all called up for their respective nations this week ahead of September's international break. 

Four DUFC Academy Graduates were involved in this afternoon's matchday squad. 

A Scrappy Start

In truth, it was a first 45 that left much to be desired... 

Our only half-sighting came as Stephenson did well to beat Andre Raymond with a stepover and work space for the cross, only to be well cleared for a corner by Jack Sanders.

There was half a chance for the visitors after 20 minutes as we were forced all the way back towards goal. Under pressure from Benjamin Kimpioka, a heavy touch and clearance from Walton ended up at the feet of Matthew Smith, but his effort from distance on the angle was never troubling our empty net. 

Ferry picked up the first caution of the afternoon after a cynical foul on Kimpioka as the visitors looked to counter. 

A Let Off

We survived a late first-half scare as Kimpioka latched on to a loose back pass, skipped around Walton and hit the bar before Andre Raymond somehow cleared the bar on the follow-up from just yards out. 

Last Ditch

The visitors almost hit the front early in the second half. 

Clever footwork from Graham Carey allowed him to skip by Holt before firing on his left foot from range, a super fingertip save from Walton needed to keep the score level. More danger loomed from the corner, but brave defending from Holt allowed him to glance the ball behind before it reached Lewis Neilson at the back post. 

Stephenson Opens his Account

We hit the front on 54 minutes - albeit against the general run of play. 

It came courtesy of brilliant wing play from Trapanovski on the left as he raced past Drey Wright and Jack Sanders to work the cross for Babunski. Our number 10's effort was harshly dealt with by Joshua Rae who parried it into the path of Stephenson to blast home on the rebound for his first senior goal!

Trapanovski made way for Louis Moult in the aftermath, who proved to be a real handful in what remained. 

Somehow Sidibeh escaped a booking following a nasty collision with Walton from a Saints' freekick - there was a long stoppage as both players required treatment. 

Sidibeh went close with 10 minutes to go, firing at goal on the half volley but only into the side netting.

Boiling Over

Tempers flared as we approached full-time, Sidibeh eventually being given his marching orders for an elbow on Ferry. VAR checked for a possible second red card. 

 

Sealing the Deal

We doubled our advantage two minutes from time in peculiar fashion as a now customary long throw from Graham wasn't dealt with and headed over his own 'keeper by Sanders. 

 

TEAMLINES
Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Graham, Trapanovski, Babunski (c), Ferry, Sibbald, Adegboyega, Stephenson, van der Sande, Gallagher

Subs: Richards, Moult, Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Docherty, Thomson, Cleall-Harding, Meshack

St Johnstone

Starting XI: Rae, Raymond, Cameron (c), Sanders, Neilson, Carey, Wright, Essel, Sidibeh, Smith, Kimpioka

Subs: Sinclair, MacPherson, Clark, Smith, Sprangler, McPake, Kirk, Keltjens, Franczak

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
NEXT UP

It's a trip to Tynecastle up next as we face Hearts next Sunday. 

The match will be streamed live on DUTV for International Subscribers, with live audio for UK subscribers. 

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