Dundee United 1-2 Saints

Saints took the lead on 15 minutes as May showed great composure to slot the ball high into the net after being one-on-one with United keeper Carljohan Eriksson.

May then turned provider with 6 minutes of the first half remaining as he setup Melker Hallberg who doubled Saints lead.

Saints had chances to further extend their lead with May coming closest as his second half curling effort hit the crossbar.

United though pulled a goal back with 8 minutes remaining as substitute Tony Watt scored from close range after Remi Matthews had made a smart save to deny Aziz Behich.

Today’s win sees Saints move up to eighth place in the cinch Premiership with 10 points.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Rugby Park on Wednesday evening to play Kilmarnock, kick off 7:45pm.

MATCH REPORT

After having a free week last weekend due to the international break Saints returned to action this afternoon as they made the short trip along the road to Dundee to take on bottom side Dundee United. Prior to the international break Saints played out a goalless draw with Ross County at McDiarmid Park and Callum Davidson decided to go with the same starting eleven which started against The Staggies a fortnight ago. There was also a place on the bench for Tony Gallacher who was making his return from injury; the defender had suffered a fractured bone in his leg against Livingston in April. Dundee United lost 2-1 to Rangers a fortnight ago and new Head Coach Liam Fox made three changes to the side which started at Ibrox. Kieran Freeman, Sadat Happy Anaku and Steven Fletcher came in to replace Charlie Mulgrew, Glenn Middleton and Tony Watt.

Steven Fletcher got the match underway for the hosts and it was an even opening 15 minutes to the match as both sides looked to make their mark on the game however, neither keeper was seriously tested.

It was advantage Saints on 15 minutes as a lovely ball over the top by Andy Considine played in Stevie May who beat the offside trap and was one-on one with Carljohan Eriksson. May showed his class as he composed himself before despatching the ball high into the top corner.

PHOTO: Stevie May scores to make it 1-0

United looked to make a quick response and a good move down the left saw Jamie McGrath pick out Fletcher in the centre who cut the ball back to Sadat Happy Anaku however, Considine made a brilliant tackle to cut out the danger before the Ugandan forward could pull the trigger.

On 18 minutes Saints got another sight of goal as Nicky Clark unleashed a strike however, his effort from the edge of the box didn’t trouble Eriksson.

The hosts were inches away from levelling the match on 24 minutes as McGrath’s corner from the right was met by Fletcher but the header from the former Scotland internationalist was cleared off the line by May.

United continued to push for an equaliser and on 38 minutes they were awarded a free kick following a foul by Adam Montgomery on Kieran Freeman. McGrath took the free kick and his in-swinging ball was met by Ryan Edwards however, the header from the United captain was too high.

Then with 6 minutes of the first half remaining Saints doubled their lead. A great ball forward by Ryan McGowan played on May down the right channel. The Saints forward then cut the ball back at the byline to Melker Hallberg and the Swedish midfielder beautifully tucked the ball into the far corner of the net.

PHOTO: Melker Hallberg scores Saints second goal

It was then almost three just before half time as May’s cross from the left was met by Jamie Murphy but his strike was blocked by a United defender. The loose ball then broke to Drey Wright but he dragged his follow-up effort wide.  

On 57 minutes Saints came close again to a third as Jamie Murphy played the ball into the path of May whose curling effort came back off the crossbar with Eriksson rooted to the spot.  

United continue to search for a way back into the game and on 64 minutes Dylan Levitt played a good ball in behind the Saints defence which Anaku latched onto however, Remi Matthews spotted the danger and was out quick to block the strike as the ball went behind for a corner. McGrath took the corner from the right which was met by Edwards but again he couldn’t test Matthews.

PHOTO: Stevie May watches as his shot hits the bar

The rain was now lashing down and on 67 minutes a quick counter attack by Saints saw Wright play in May however, Eriksson was quick off his line to gather the ball before May could make a connection with it.

Play quickly switched to the other end as a minute later Matthews was called into action as he saved a Levitt effort.

Saints made a double change on 71 minutes as Ali Crawford and Connor McLennan came on to replace Jamie Murphy and Stevie May.

The hosts pulled a goal back with 8 minutes remaining to setup a tense finish to the match. Matthews did well to save the shot from Aziz Behich however, the loose ball broke to former Saints player Tony Watt who despatched the ball into the net from close range.

PHOTO: Drey Wright breaks forward as the rain pours down

Saints third change of the game came on 86 minutes as Theo Bair came on to replace Nicky Clark.

United were now looking for the equaliser and deep into stoppage time McGrath played the ball to the feet of substitute Archie Meekison and the midfielder sent a cross deep into the Saints box but Mitchell made an important interception as he headed the ball behind for a corner. Saints were able to deal with the late pressure as they saw the game out to leave Tannadice with all 3 points.

Dundee United: Eriksson, Smith, Graham, Fletcher (Watt 56), Edwards, Behich, McGrath, Levitt, Anaku (Niskanen 75), Freeman (Middleton 68), Harkes (Meekison 68)

Unused Substitutes: Birighitti (GK), McMann, Sibbald, Cudjoe, Cleall-Harding

Booked: Behich, Levitt, Harkes, Meekison, Edwards

Scorer: Watt (82)

Saints: Matthews, Mitchell, Gordon, Considine, Montgomery, Hallberg, McGowan, Murphy (Crawford 71), Clark (Bair 86), May (McLennan 71), Wright

Unused Substitutes: Parish(GK), Brown, Gallacher, Mahon, Kucheriavyi, O’Halloran

Booked: McGowan, Wright, Mitchell

Scorers: May (15), Hallberg (39)

Referee: David Munro

Attendance: 7,977 (855 Saints fans)

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Melker Hallberg celebrates his goal