Dundee United 1-2 Saints

Saints took the lead on 31 minutes as May volleyed home Melker Hallberg’s cross into the box from 12 yards following a good passing move by the visitors.

It had looked like that United had rescued a point with 9 minutes remaining when Dylan Levitt levelled the match with a long-range strike. However, a minute later Saints regained the lead as May got his and Saints second of the afternoon as he capitalised on an error by United keeper Mark Birighitti. The United number one was slow clearing a Charlie Mulgrew pass back and May was alert to the opportunity as he slid in to knock the ball home.

Today’s result sees Saints remain in eighth place as they move onto 30 points, 10 points clear of United who remain bottom of the league.

Next up for Saints is a home game against St Mirren next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

After having a free weekend last week Saints returned to action this afternoon as they made the short trip along the A90 to the City of Discovery to take on Dundee United at Tannadice. Saints lost 4-1 to Celtic a fortnight ago and Callum Davidson made four changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s Tayside Derby. Liam Gordon, Adam Montgomery, Melker Hallberg and Nicky Clark came in to replace Tony Gallacher, Graham Carey and Connor McLennan who all dropped to the bench whilst Andy Considine missed out due to suspension after getting sent off against Celtic. Dundee United were eliminated from the Scottish Cup last Saturday as they lost 1-0 at home to Kilmarnock. There were also four changes to the United starting eleven this afternoon as Head Coach Liam Fox brought in Arnaud Djoum, Aziz Behich, Jamie McGrath and Kai Fotheringham to replace Scott McMann, Ilmari Niskanen, Glenn Middleton and Mathew Cudjoe.

Arnaud Djoum got the match underway for the hosts and the Tannadice side created the first chance of the match on 2 minutes. Steven Fletcher did well to switch the ball to the left-hand side as he picked out Kai Fotheringham. The forward then played in Aziz Behich however, the strike from the Australian was well saved by Remi Matthews who blocked the strike with his legs before the Saints defence cleared the danger. Shortly after United got another sight of goal as Fotheringham played in Dylan Levitt however, the Welshman couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Saints created their first chance of the game on 12 minutes as Melker Hallberg played in Cammy MacPherson who unleashed a strike from distance which was saved by Mark Birighitti in the home goal. Then 3 minutes later a good Saints move saw MacPherson play in Adam Montgomery down the left who sent an inviting ball into the box which Stevie May was inches away from making a connection with.

PHOTO: James Brown and Steven Fletcher battle for the ball

United came close to the breakthrough on 20 minutes as Liam Smith broke to the byline before crossing the ball into the box however, Fotheringham couldn’t make a connection with the cross as Saints cleared the danger. The Perth side then quickly broke up field as Drey Wright carried the ball down the right channel before crossing the ball into the box which May got on the end of however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.

The breakthrough finally came on 31 minutes as Saints took the lead. Great play by Daniel Phillips saw him win the ball in midfield. Nicky Clark then played the ball out wide to Hallberg who travelled down the right wing before sending over an inviting ball into the box which was met by May who slotted the ball into the net with a fine volley from 12 yards.

Dundee United tried to get a quick response and on 35 minutes Smith saw his effort from just outside the box go wide of the target.

PHOTO: Stevie May celebrates putting Saints 1-0 up

The Tannadice side made a promising start to the second half and on 48 minutes Fotheringham crossed the ball into the box from the left which was directed goal wards by Craig Sibbald via a deflection off Montgomery however, Phillips was in the right place as he cleared the ball off the line. Then on 51 minutes Ayina’s cross from the right was met by Steven Fletcher however, the former Scotland internationalist couldn’t direct his header on target.

Saints were pushing for a second as another good passing move on 56 minutes saw Phillips play a neat one-two with Liam Gordon as the midfielder broke into the box however, his cutback was turned behind for a corner by Charlie Mulgrew. Then on 62 minutes MacPherson played a neat one-two with Phillips from a corner on the left and the midfielder then carried the ball along the edge of the box before unleashing a right footed effort that went high and wide of the target.

On 67 minutes United came close to an equaliser as Jamie McGrath’s corner from the right was flicked on by Mulgrew to Fotheringham however, the forward couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as Matthews gathered.  

PHOTO: Saints skipper Liam Gordon shouts instructions

A quick attacking move by Saints 2 minutes later saw MacPherson play the ball to Montgomery and he picked out Clark on the edge of the box who took a touch before unleashing a left-footed shot which was saved by Birighitti.

Saints made their first change of the game on 76 minutes as Connor McLennan came on to replace Nicky Clark. That was followed by another change shortly after as Melker Hallberg made way for Graham Carey.

Saints were starting to drop deep inviting United onto them and the hosts levelled the match with a stunning strike with 9 minutes remaining. Loick Ayina played the ball to Levitt who took a touch as he turned MacPherson before unleashing a fine curling strike from 30 yards into the bottom corner of the net.

However, Saints regained the lead a minute later. Birighitti played a short goal kick to Mulgrew who return the ball to the United keeper however the Australian keeper decided to take a touch instead of clearing his lines as an alert May slid in to force the ball over the line to spark jubilant celebrations in the away end. Birighitti lay on the turf injured although no foul was given as the United keeper had to be replaced by Jack Newman.

PHOTO: Stevie May scores his second goal

On 89 minutes Djoum setup substitute Rory McLeod however, the left footed strike from the young forward didn’t trouble Matthews.

Saints then made their final change of the game as Zak Rudden came on to replace Stevie May and the forward was quickly involved in the action as he chased down the ball on the right channel as Newman came running out of his goal to clear. However, the clearance from the substitute United keeper only went as far as MacPherson who had a pop at the empty goal but the keeper was able to recover as he got back to save the strike as Saints comfortably saw the game out to secure the points to go 10 points clear of United who remain bottom of the league.

PHOTO: Saints manager Callum Davidson shows his delight at full time

Dundee United: Birighitti (Newman 85), Smith, Mulgrew, Fletcher, Djoum, Sibbald, Behich, McGrath (MacLeod 76), Levitt, Fotheringham (Cudjoe 90+2), Ayina

Unused Substitutes: McMann, Graham, Niskanen, Anaku, Freeman, Thomson

Booked: Fotheringham, Mulgrew

Scorer: Levitt (81)

Saints: Matthews, Brown, Mitchell, Gordon, May (Rudden 90+2), Wright, MacPherson, Montgomery, Hallberg (Carey 80), Phillips, Clark (McLennan 76)

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Gallacher, Wotherspoon, Bair, Crawford, Murphy

Booked: Phillips, Mitchell

Scorers: May (31, 82)

Referee: Kevin Clancy

VAR: David Munro

Attendance: 9,796 (1,495 Saints fans)

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Stevie May celebrates his second goal