Match report: Dundee United 2-0 Saints

Saints came close to taking the lead just before half time as Andre Raymond fired over from close range after Benji Kimpioka’s shot had come back off the post.

Luca Stephenson put United a goal up on 54 minutes as the on-loan Liverpool midfielder tucked the ball home after the initial shot from David Babunski had been saved by Josh Rae.

Saints were then reduced to ten men as Adama Sidibeh picked up a second yellow card after catching Will Ferry, the Saints forward had already been booked in the first half for a handball incident. Sidibeh was then shown a second red card after clashing with Kevin Holt.

The hosts wrapped up the points with 2 minutes remaining thanks to a Jack Sanders own goal following a Ross Graham long throw into the Saints box.

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

MATCH REPORT

Saints were back on their travels this afternoon as they made the short trip along the A90 to take on Dundee United at the CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park. There was one change to the Saints starting eleven which lost 2-0 to Rangers at Hampden Park in the Premier Sports Cup last weekend as Aaron Essel came in to replace Cammy MacPherson, who dropped to the bench. There was also a place on the bench for David Keltjens after recovering from injury. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin decided to go with the same starting eleven from their 1-0 win over St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup last Sunday.

It was a sunny afternoon in Dundee as Matt Smith got the match underway for Saints. It was an even opening 10 minutes as neither keeper was seriously tested.

Then on 12 minutes good link up play down the right saw Drey Wright play a neat one-two with Matt Smith before being stopped in his tracks by Kristijan Trapanovski. From the resultant free kick Graham Carey’s delivery into the box was turned behind for a corner by Craig Sibbald at the near post.

The hosts got a sight of goal on 16 minutes however, Trapanovski fired his effort from the edge of the area high onto the roof of the stand which housed the Saints support behind the goal. Then shortly after United broke down the right channel as Luca Stephenson sent over an inviting cross into the Saints box but Jack Sanders made an important interception as he headed the ball behind for a corner.

PHOTO: Andre Raymond turns Luca Stephenson

On 22 minutes great closing down by Benji Kimpioka saw the clearance from United keeper Jack Walton fall to Matt Smith and the Welsh midfielder only had one thing in mind as he attempted to chip the keeper from distance however, his effort drifted wide of the goal with Walton backpedalling.

Saints created another chance on 34 minutes as Carey played the ball back to Adama Sidibeh however, the forward put his right footed effort wide of the target. Then a minute later Matt Smith produced a delightful nutmeg as he twisted and turned to get away from Trapanovski before going down in the box under the challenge from Macedonian winger however, the appeals were dismissed by referee Don Robertson and Grant Irvine on VAR. With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Saints picked up their first booking of the match as Sidibeh was shown a yellow card for punching the ball away from Walton.

On 42 minutes Stephenson was short with a back pass to Walton and Kimpioka pounced on the ball before going round the United keeper but his shot from a tight angle hit the post. The ball bounced kindly to Andre Raymond who blasted over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka hits the post

5 minutes into the second half Wright passed the ball to Carey and he showed great skill to take the ball round his man before unleashing a shot which Walton tipped over for a corner. Carey took the corner from the right and his delivery was headed behind for another corner by Kevin Holt. This time Matt Smith took the corner and his delivery from the left was met by Lewis Neilson however, he couldn’t direct his header on target.

The deadlock was broken on 54 minutes as Dundee United took the lead. Trapanovski broke down the left before sending over a cross which David Babunski got on the end of as his powerful shot was saved by Josh Rae. Unfortunately for Rae he palmed the ball straight to Stephenson and the on-loan Liverpool midfielder tucked the ball home on the rebound.

On 67 minutes a goal kick from Walton was gathered by Essel and he slipped the ball to Matt Smith who then sent it out wide to Wright. The Saints midfielder then crossed the ball into the United box which Kimpioka glanced wide of the target. Kimpioka then got another sight of goal 2 minutes later as his shot was deflected for a corner by Ross Graham.

PHOTO: Matt Smith and David Babunski

Saints made their first change of the game on 73 minutes as Nicky Clark came on to replace Aaron Essel.

With 10 minutes remaining Sidibeh came close to an equaliser as his shot hit the side netting. However, 4 minutes later Saints were reduced to ten men as Sidibeh was sent off after picking up a second booking for catching Will Ferry. The Saints forward then received a second red card after a coming together with Holt.

Craig Levein made another change on 87 minutes as Graham Carey was replaced by Cammy MacPherson.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh is sent off by referee Don Robertson

However, United sealed the win a minute later. Graham launched a long throw into the Saints box and Rae missed the ball as he went to punch it as it bounced off Sanders’ head before landing in the back of the net.

Dundee United: Walton, Holt, Graham, Trapanovski (Moult 55’), Babunski (Docherty 80’), Ferry, Sibbald, Adegboyega, Stephenson, van der Sande, Gallagher

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Thomson, Cleall-Harding, Ubochioma

Booked: Ferry, Stephenson

Scorers: Stephenson (54’), Sanders (88’ og)

Saints: Rae, Raymond, Cameron, Sanders, Neilson, Carey (MacPherson 87’), Wright, Essel (Clark 73’), Sidibeh, M. Smith, Kimpioka

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), C. Smith, Sprangler, McPake, Kirk, Keltjens, Franczak

Booked: Sidibeh, Sanders

Sent Off: Sidibeh

Referee: Don Robertson

VAR: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 7,806

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Kyle Cameron and David Babunski