Dundee United 1 Dunfermline 0
Tuesday, 8th Nov 2016Ladbrokes Championship: Pars go with same again. Nat Wedderburn red card (39): Simon Murray (79) 1-0
Dunfermline took the road to Dundee four days early to fulfil this Ladbrokes Championship fixture and accommodate the re-match at East End Park in the Irn-Bru Cup on Saturday. For just the second time this season Manager Allan Johnston was able to name the same starting eleven. Dundee United made one change Jamie Robson taking the place of Paul Dixon.
United had already beaten the Pars twice this season but Ray McKinnon had identified the Pars attacking philosophy and players who could get forward at pace. He also made reference to Cammy Bell`s heroics in the home game with three first half penalty saves.
Ryan Williamson suffered injury in the warm up and on to the bench came Callum Smith. The visitors started strongly with play predominantly up the right. Nicky Clark forced a second minute corner and Andy Geggan came close to connecting with the delivery and then got a second chance but that was blocked.
United then forced a corner of their own but Kallum Higginbotham headed away Scott Fraser`s ball in from the left. Then in 10th minute the Pars earned a free kick midway inside the opposition half when Clark was taken out by Mark Durnan but Higginbotham`s flighted ball into the box was easily held by Bell.
The 13th minute could have been unlucky for the Fifers after Frank van der Struijk took advantage of Jason Talbot and then evaded Lee Ashcroft`s attempt to catch him. Fortunately once at the right edge of the box the Dutchman`s final ball in was woeful and the Pars fans behind the goal jeered.
Dunfermline had another corner but when Higginbotham`s delivery dropped for Clark he was quickly robbed of possession. Back at the other end Ashcroft made a telling tackle to prevent Simon Murray bursting through on goal and Higginbotham conceded a somewhat needless corner on the left. Fortunately Sean Murdoch was able to hold William Edjenguele`s looping header.
Clark was able to get a shot on target from 20 yards out but not with sufficient power to trouble Bell. Murdoch too was brought into action diving to his left to hold a dangerous shot from Tony Andreu after being neatly played through by Murray.
A 32nd minute free kick from 30 yards out deflected off the four man United wall but Higginbotham`s cross from the corner on the right, directed at Cardle outside the box was intercepted by a tangerine shirt.
Dunfermline had made a fair contest of it but in 39th minute Nat Wedderburn was shown a straight red for kicking through Andreu on the United edge of the centre circle. Farid El Alagui and Tope Obadeyi were also shown yellow before play resumed.
Murdoch pulled off a fine right footed save to keep out Murray who threatened to make a break through just before the break. A fairly even half in terms of possession and territory but the home side created more shooting opportunities and there`s look the more dangerous. It remained to be seen just how Allan Johnston and the management team would approach the second 45 with the one man disadvantage.
Half time: Dundee United 0 Dunfermline 0
Before the second half resumed Rhys McCabe was brought on and Joe Cardle withdrawn in what could construed as a move to tighten up the midfield in Wedderburn`s absence.
United created bedlam at a 53rd minute corner and it required an overhead kick from Higginbotham to get the penalty box cleared. The home side searched for the opening and had the ten men chasing them all over the Dunfermline half. In 58 minutes Fraser latched on to a chance on the top of the box but drilled his effort low and wide right.
Murdoch then held a weak chip in from the right from Robson and the Tannadice men were soon back in possession. Andreu broke in to the right byeline and his cut back looked menacing but Geggan raced in and belted the ball away to safety.
Further fears were not required but United introduced two fresh pairs of legs in Nick van der Velden and Cammy Smith in place of Obadeyi and Telfer. However it was the Pars who threatened on the counter. Clark`s powerful run up the left earned a corner, the travelling support roared but nothing came from the setpiece.
Willo Flood then fired off target and next Murray headed an effort narrowly wide right. McCabe booted away the next danger as the game entered its final quarter. Ashcroft made a very necessary headed clearance. Could Dunfermline see out the game for a point? Murdoch was booked for time wasting at a goal kick and then Murray wasted a good chance firing into the stand from 18 yards out.
Geggan created a rare chance thrashing the ball into the box but with no takers before El Alagui found himself with one defender ahead of him and Higginbotham and Clark screeching up either side of him. He chose Clark for the pass but he was tracked back and tackled at just the right time.
Higginbotham then had a 75th minute chance from an angle on the right but that escaped just outside the far post. Meanwhile United missed several good chances, not really testing Murdoch since they were hit narrowly over the bar.
In 79 Fraser was free on the left but Murdoch was out fast to block and the second chance was sent for a corner on the left by Ashcroft. That turned out to be critical, the ball was not taken as it swung in and broke for MURRAY to bulge the net from six yards. 1-0
Paul McMullan came on as Kallum Higginbotham was subbed but United slowed the game down, happy to see out the final ten minutes.
In the third minute of added time Nicky Clark was afforded the last chance of the match crashing in a shot at an angle from the right but Bell saved. No goal and no points.
United take all three and go level at the top with Hibs.
SUBS NOT USED: Sean Dillon, Coll Donaldson, Lewis Toshney, Luis Maria Zwick (GK).
SCORERS: Murray (79)
YELLOW CARD: Obadeyi (41), Murray (43), Bell (83)
DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch: Andy Geggan (c), Lewis Martin, Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham (Paul McMullan 85), John Herron, Nat Wedderburn, Joe Cardle (Rhys McCabe HT): Nicky Clark, Farid El Alagui
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Moffat, Michael Paton, Callum Smith, Callum Fordyce, David Hutton (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Higginbotham (35), Geggan (41), El Alagui (41), Murdoch (70)
RED CARD: Wedderburn (39)
REFEREE: Don Robertson
WEATHER: 4C Fine
ATTENDANCE 5996
NEXT MATCH: Irn-Bru Cup (home) v Dundee United, Saturday 12th November 2016, kick off 12.30pm at East End Park
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Preview Dundee United
Tuesday, 8th Nov 2016SPFL Championship: Tannadice Tuesday 8th November 2016, kick off 7.45pm
Dunfermline will now play Dundee United twice in the space of four days. The sides were drawn against each other in the Quarter final of the Irn-Bru Challenge Cup and that tie is due to be played on Saturday 12th November. The Championship league match scheduled for that day also paired the clubs. The cup tie is to be played at East End Park on the date of original league match at Tannadice. The league fixture has been re-arranged and will be played on Tuesday night.
For travelling supporters, Tannadice is one of the better away grounds to visit. . Pars
supporters are accommodated in the South West of the stadium and there is always
a good atmosphere.
|
League v Dundee Utd (Away) |
|||
|
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
|
130 |
48 |
35 |
47 |
The clubs have played 130 league matches against each other and the Pars lead 48 v 47 on wins.
|
Milestones Dundee United (Away) |
|||
|
Last League Victory |
20/08/11 |
1-0 |
SPL |
|
Last League Defeat |
31/03/12 |
0-3 |
SPL |
|
Best League Victory |
29/01/66 |
|
Div 1* |
|
Worst League Defeat |
29/04/61 |
0-5 |
Div 1* |
|
*Pre league reconstruction |
|||
For years Tannadice was one of those grounds that Dunfermline couldn`t win at for love nor money but suddenly it became a place for celebration.
That started with the famous First Division `title decider` in 1996, and was followed with similar emotion when Jim Leishman`s side secured their SPL status at the same ground in 2005. . Then at the end of season 2005-06 a cracking Freddie Daquin goal gave Dunfermline hopes (false as it turned out) that they could finish ninth in the league. .
Dunfermline then drew twice at Tannadice before an 85th minute Paul Burns goal secured another win in August 2011.United won the last league meeting at Tannadice and have also won the two more recent League Cup meetings.
Of the last twelve league matches between Dunfermline and United, the Pars have won five, lost four with three games ending all square. . .
|
Last Twelve League Matches v Dundee United |
|||
| Date |
H/A |
F-A | Scorers |
| 10/09/16 | H | 1-3 | [0-1] Murray. [0-2] Andreu, [1-2] Paton. [1-3] Andreu |
| 31/03/12 | A | 0-3 | [0-1] Daly, [0-2] Robertson, [0-3] Daly. |
| 29/10/11 | H | 1-4 | [0-1] Dixon, [0-2] Dalla Valle, [1-2] Kirk, [1-3] Russell, [1-4] MacKay-Steven |
| 20/08/11 | A | 1-0 | [1-0] Burns |
| 21/04/07 | H | 1-0 | [1-0] McManus |
| 27/01/07 | A | 0-0 | . |
| 18/11/06 | H | 2-1 | [0-1] Robson, [1-1] Shields, [2-1] Mason |
| 19/08/06 | A | 0-0 | . |
| 02/05/06 | A | 1-0 | [1-0] Daquin |
| 25/02/06 | H | 1-1 | [0-1] Kenneth, [1-1] Burchill |
| 20/12/05 | A | 1-2 | [1-0] Samuel, [1-1] Wilson, [1-2] Robson |
| 24/09/05 | H | 2-1 | [0-1] McCracken, [1-1] Tod, [2-1] Ross |
Last League Meeting at Tannadice
Saturday 31st March 2012
The return of Kevin Rutkiewicz and Andy Kirk to the team could not prevent a heavy defeat. 0-0 at half time United struck three in the second half, the opener came from a long throw from Robbie Neilson that DALY hit well to beat Smith.
Brilliance from Gary Mackay-Steven set up ROBERTSON for the second and 2-0 became 3-0 within three minutes. Russell held the ball up in the Pars box before turning to tee up DALY for another United goal.
DUNDEE UNITED: Dusan Pernis. Robbie Neilson, Gavin Gunning, Sean Dillon, Paul Dixon,. Willo Flood (Stuart Armstrong 87), Scott Robertson (Danny Swanson 87), John Rankin, Gary Mackay-Steven (Richie Ryan 87). Johnny Russell, Jon Daly (c).
SUBS NOT USED: Steve Banks (GK), Ryan Dow, Garry Kenneth, Barry Douglas.
SCORER: Daly (49, 83), Robertson (80)
DUNFERMLINE: Chris Smith. Andy Dowie, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Alex Keddie, Austin McCann (c). Jordan MacMillan (David Graham 64), Gary Mason (Paul Willis 83), Mark Kerr, Joe Cardle. Martin Hardie, Andy Kirk (Liam Buchanan 76),
SUBS NOT USED: Paddy Boyle, Kyle Hutton, Ryan Thomson, Ryan Goodfellow (GK).
| Dundee United . | Dunfermline |
| Current League Position | |
| 2 | 9 |
| League Points | |
| 24 | 9 |
| Goal Difference | |
| +10 | -8 |
| Last 6-League Match Form | |
| WDWWWW | WDLLDD |
| League record Home/Away this season . | |
| P6, W4, D2, L0 | P6, W0, D2, L4 |
Recent Form
The Pars have won only two of their 12 Championship games this season but they are now unbeaten in their last two. The last away win was at Brechin in the Irn-Bru Cup on 3rd September, the last away league win was against Albion Rovers on 2nd April.
Dundee United are in fine form. they have now gone six Championship matches without defeat and have won their last four. Their last league defeat was at Falkirk in September and they are undefeated at Tannadice since 24th April.
| Form last six matches - . | ||||||
| . Dundee United | .
. .. |
Dunfermline | ||||
| . Queen of South (A) | W | 4-1 | . Raith Rovers (H) | D |
0-0 |
|
| . Falkirk (H) | L | 0-4 | . Dumbarton (A) | D |
2-2 |
|
| . Dumbarton (H) | W | 2-1 | . Hibernian . (H) | L | .1-2 | |
| . St Mirren (A) | W | 2-0 | . Falkirk (A) | L | 1-2 | |
| . Stranraer (A) | W | 1-0 | . Queens Park (H) | W | 2-1 | |
| . Hibs (A) | D | 1-1 | . Ayr United (A) | D |
0-0 |
|
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Raith Rovers): Sean Murdoch: Andy Geggan (c), Lewis Martin, Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham, John Herron, Nat Wedderburn, Joe Cardle: Nicky Clark, Farid El Alagui
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Moffat, Rhys McCabe, Michael Paton, Ryan Williamson, Callum Fordyce, Paul McMullan, David Hutton (GK)
DUNDEE UNITED (v QOS): Cammy Bell (Luis Maria Zwick HT): Frank van der Struijk, William Edjenguelle, Mark Durnan (Coll Donaldson 76), Paul Dixon (Jamie Robson 43): Scott Fraser, Willo Flood, Charlie Telfer, Tope Obadeyi, Tony Andreu, Simon Murray
SUBS NOT USED: Sean Dillon, Cameron Smith, Alistair Coote, Nick van der Velden.
Referee will be Don Robertson
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