FIXTURE INFORMATION | DUNDEE UNITED B V DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC B
26th November 2024
Dundee United 0
Dunfermline Athletic 1 (J.Sutherland 86')
2pm Tuesday 26 November 2024
Foundation Park
SPFL Reserve Cup
Dundee United B contested their second SPFL Reserve Cup fixture of the 2024/25 campaign by hosting Group One leaders Dunfermline Athletic.
The Terrors opened the competition by facing city rivals Dundee at Gayfield, with an entertaining yet goalless 90 minutes unfolding at Gayfield.
Veteran stopper Dave Richards would take centre stage in the subsequent penalty shootout, making three decisive saves to ensure his side claimed the bonus point.
Dunfermline travelled to the city of Discovery in the knowledge a draw would secure their progression to the Semi-Final, having already defeated Falkirk and Dundee earlier in the season.
FAMILIAR FACES
David Wotherspoon returned to Tannadice Street for the first time since raising the Championship trophy aloft, taking his place in the visiting dugout as he begins to lay the foundations of his coaching career. The 34-year-old named fellow ex-United man Deniz Dogan Mehmet amongst a youthful Pars line-up.
This was mirrored by coaching duo Brian Grant and Andy Payne, who opted for an all-Academy starting XI. Loan stars Ruairidh Adams, Sean Borland, Bryan Mwangi and Adam Carnwath all received clearance from their temporary clubs to feature, whilst history-making Owen Stirton spearheaded the 4-3-3 deployed.
EARLY ACTION
Less than 50 seconds had elapsed when Adams’ was forced into his first save of the afternoon, tipping a seemingly harmless Taylor Sutherland effort around the upright.
Sutherland looked to turn provider on 13 minutes as he raced into the final third and flashed a tantalising delivery across the 18-yard box for his onrushing brother, Jake, who was agonisingly close to turning the ball home on the slide.
The pair threatened throughout the entirety of the afternoon on the transition, using their electric pace to spin into the channels and provide an out-ball for their teammates.
TANGERINE REPLY
United’s first sighting of goal came halfway through the first period, when a raking, cross-field Alan Domeracki pass released Zeke Cameron on the opposite flank.
His initial strike cannoned into a recovering Pars defender, with the scraps falling to Carnwath to skew wide from range.
Soon after, Stirton registered the Terrors’ first shot on target as he sent a glancing header towards the far post which Deniz was equal to.
The last action of the opening 45 came at the other end and saw Joshua Proudfoot send a rising drive narrowly over the crossbar from the left edge of the area.
PARS TURN UP THE HEAT
After the interval, the pendulum swung heavily in favour of the Fife outfit, as they enjoyed a sustained period of pressure.
Midfielders Mark Beveridge and Anthony Harris made runs beyond the last line, whilst the strike partnership played with their back to goal and linked fruitfully with their advancing wingbacks.
The Sutherland brothers combined for the first opportunity of the second half, with Jake teeing up Taylor inside the area. Despite having the freedom of Foundation Park and only the ‘keeper to beat, the frontman failed to find a way beyond Adams with a tame finish.
He was presented with another gilt-edged chance less than 120 seconds later after Charlie Dewar was pickpocketed on a trademark charge out from the defensive third, but once again couldn’t find the back of the net with his fierce strike on the angle.
The onslaught continued, with Pars wingback James Gordon, influential since his half-time introduction, then testing Adams from close range.
CONTENTIOUS DECISIONS
United appeared to be denied a stonewall penalty on one of their first forays forward after the restart, with referee Lewis Brown waiving away vehement claims for a spot kick as Stirton hit the deck under a clumsy challenge from Sam Fisher.
A sublime double save from United number one Adams ensured the deadlock remained unbroken heading into the final 15 minutes, saving low to his right twice in quick succession to thwart Taylor Sutherland and latterly Harris.
The former finally rippled the net with the third rebound but a raised flag from linesman Kenny Brown halted the visitors’ brief celebrations.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
However, Adams' heroic exploits would prove to be in vain as Dunfermline struck late to rubber-stamp their progression into the Semi-Finals, as Jake Sutherland picked out the bottom corner with a cultured finish from his brother’s cutback.
Despite the defeat, United can still mathematically progress to the Last Four as the best second-placed finisher by defeating Falkirk by a considerable margin on the final matchday.
TEAMLINES
Dundee United
Starting XI: Adams, Constable, Simpson, Shields, Dewar, Domeracki, Mwangi, Borland, Stirton, Carnwath, Cameron
Subs: Haldane, Gilligan, Welsh, Simpson
Dunfermline Athletic
Starting XI: Mehmet, Fisher, Proudfoot, Fogarty, Young, Rowe, McLeod, Beveridge, T.Sutherland, Tod, J.Sutherland
Subs: Gordon, Harris, Snoddy, Davidson, Evans
