Match report: Dundee United 1-0 Saints

The only goal of the game came on 25 minutes as Emmanuel Adegboyega tapped home at the near post following a Will Ferry corner.

Saints responded strongly as they pushed to get back in the game with Stephen Duke-McKenna, Josh McPake and Benji Kimpioka all coming close. Whilst Andy Fisher also produced good saves to deny Declan Gallagher and substitute Louis Moult to prevent United from extending their lead.

The result means Saints go into the post-split fixtures five points behind eleventh placed Dundee, who play Hibs tomorrow at Easter Road.

Saints are back in action next Sunday as they head to Hampden Park to take on Celtic in the semi-final of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

Saints made the short trip down the Tay today to take on Dundee United at the CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park. There was one change to the Saints starting eleven which defeated league leaders Celtic 1-0 last Sunday as Barry Douglas came in to replace the injured Drey Wright. Dundee United also won 1-0 last weekend as they defeated Hearts at Tynecastle Park. There were two changes to the Dundee United starting eleven this afternoon as Jim Goodwin brought in Kristijan Trapanovski and Glenn Middleton to replace Allan Campbell and Louis Moult who both dropped to the bench.

It was a glorious sunny afternoon in the City of Discovery as Kristijan Trapanovski got the match underway for the hosts. The Tannadice side created the first chance of the match on 8 minutes as Ryan Strain’s ball from the right picked out Glenn Middleton on the edge of the area. The former Saints player was unable to get his shot away so laid the ball off to Will Ferry and the full back unleashed an effort from the edge of the box which went narrowly wide of Andy Fisher’s right-hand post.

On 23 minutes Stephen Duke-McKenna sent over a dangerous ball into the box as tried to pick out Adama Sidibeh, who went down under the challenge from Declan Gallagher, as Jack Walton gathered the cross. Saints were appealing for a penalty following the challenge on Sidibeh however, referee Dan McFarlane waved play on.

Then 2 minutes later United were ahead. Saints gave away a poor corner and Ferry floated the delivery in from the right. Sam Dalby got on the end of it to flick the ball back across goal and Emmanuel Adegboyega tapped the ball home from close range at the near post.

PHOTO: Glenn Middleton is tackled by Adama Sidibeh

Saints afternoon got even worse just before the half an hour mark as Zach Mitchell picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Sven Sprangler.

On 31 minutes good play by Saints saw Sidibeh cut the ball back to Duke-McKenna and the on-loan winger curled an effort narrowly wide of Walton’s left-hand post.

Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the right on 37 minutes after Sam Curtis was fouled by Adegboyega. Graham Carey took the free kick as he whipped the ball into the box, looking to pick out Daniels Balodis however, the Dundee United rearguard was alert to the danger as they headed the ball clear.

Saints continued to press for an equaliser as the match approached half time and on 45 minutes Duke-McKenna caused problems down the left before sending over an inviting delivery into the box which was sliced behind for a corner by Samuel Cleall-Harding.

PHOTO: Stephen Duke-McKenna curls a shot wide

4 minutes were added on at the end of the first half and 2 minutes into stoppage time Duke-McKenna played in Victor Griffith who unleashed an effort which was deflected behind for another corner by Ross Docherty.

On 51 minutes Makenzie Kirk did well to turn his man on the halfway line before bursting forward and when he got to the edge of the box the forward unleashed a low shot however, it lacked power as it trundled wide of Walton’s right-hand post.

Saints then made a double change as Benji Kimpioka and Taylor Steven came on to replace Jason Holt and Sam Curtis.

Andy Fisher put in a man of the match performance last week against Celtic and the Saints number one produced a vital save on 64 minutes to keep out a Gallagher header from a Ferry corner. The hosts kept up the pressure and a minute later Trapanovski saw his effort deflected behind for a corner by Sprangler.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk battles with Ross Docherty

Saints made another double change on 68 minutes as Nicky Clark and Josh McPake were introduced into the action, replacing Victor Griffith and Stephen Duke-McKenna.

McPake was quickly involved in the action as on 72 minutes his cross from the left picked out Sidibeh however, the header from the Gambian drifted wide of the target.

With 16 minutes remaining Dundee United were awarded a free kick after Luca Stephenson was fouled by Kimpioka, who was booked by Dan McFarlane for the foul. Strain took the free kick and his delivery into the Saints box picked out the unmarked Gallagher however, despite having time and space the defender put his free header inches over the bar.

Saints came close to an equaliser 2 minutes later as McPake cut inside from the left before unleashing a powerful strike which Walton got down well to as he tipped the ball behind for a corner.  

PHOTO: Josh McPake and Ryan Strain

Play quickly switched to the other end as United passed up a great chance to double their lead on 78 minutes. Stephenson did well to pick out substitute Louis Moult at the back post and the striker took a touch before unleashing a strike however, Fisher produced a brilliant block to keep Saints in the game.

Saints continued to search for a way back into the game and on 87 minutes Carey’s cross into the box was headed on by Sidibeh and Clark then flicked the ball goalwards, but Walton was alert to the danger as he gathered the ball.

5 minutes were added on at the end and in the first minute of stoppage time McPake got another sight of goal however, his effort was turned behind for a corner by Cleall-Harding. Carey took the corner from the left and his delivery was met by Barry Douglas who couldn’t find the target with his effort.

Saints came even closer to levelling the match on 93 minutes as Carey’s long ball forward was gathered by Kirk and he then passed the ball to Sidibeh. The Gambian forward played in Kimpioka, who burst into the box before unleashing a strike which went agonisingly wide of the far post.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka reacts after putting his shot wide

Dundee United created one final chance on 94 minutes to wrap up the points as Adegboyega picked out substitute Ruari Paton however, his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Barry Douglas as United saw the game out to secure all 3 points.

Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Trapanovski (Moult 66’), Ferry, Middleton (Sibbald 65’), Adegboyega, Stephenson (Babunski 85’), Dalby (Paton 70’), Docherty, Gallagher, Cleall-Harding

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Fotheringham, van der Sande, Campbell

Booked: Stephenson

Scorer: Adegboyega (25’)

Saints: Fisher, Balodis, Mitchell (Sprangler 29’), Griffith (Clark 68’), Holt (Kimpioka 52’), Carey, Sidibeh, Duke-McKenna (McPake 68’), Kirk, Douglas, Curtis (Steven 52’)

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Svedberg, Smith, Watt

Booked: Douglas, Kimpioka

Referee: Dan McFarlane

VAR: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 10,160 (1,264 Saints fans)

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Stephen Duke-McKenna and Luca Stephenson