Match report: Saints 1-2 Dundee United

Saints were playing some really nice football during the first half and they took the lead just before half time when Makenzie Kirk turned in the box after receiving the ball from Benji Kimpioka and slotted a low shot angled shot beyond Jack Walton.

United came back in the second half as former Saints player Glenn Middleton levelled the match on 51 minutes when he cut in from the left and fired in a low shot which went in off the post. The Tangerines then completed the turnaround on the hour mark when Sam Dalby headed home a Vicko Ševelj cross.  

The visitors were reduced to ten men late on after Declan Gallagher was shown a red card for catching Aaron Essel on the ankle with his studs to give Saints a glimmer of hope. However, they couldn’t take advantage of the extra man with Jack Sanders coming closest as he saw his header tipped for a corner by Walton in stoppage time.

Saints are back in action on Sunday as they head to Glasgow to take on Celtic, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Dundee United were the visitors to Perth this afternoon for a Boxing Day Tayside Derby at McDiarmid Park. Saints lost 2-1 to Hearts in Edinburgh on Sunday and head coach Simo Valakari made three changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s William Hill Premiership match. David Keltjens, Kyle Cameron and Graham Carey came into the starting eleven and they replaced Aaron Essel, Andre Raymond and Adama Sidibeh who all dropped to the bench. Dundee United got an impressive point against Celtic on Sunday lunchtime as they held the Champions to a goalless draw at Tannadice and manager Jim Goodwin made two changes to his starting eleven as Luca Stephenson and Miller Thomson dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Emmanuel Adegboyega and Richard Odada.

It was a dreich afternoon at McDiarmid Park as Glenn Middleton got the match underway for the visitors.

It was an even opening to the match as neither side created anything of significance to test either keeper.

Then on 17 minutes Graham Carey won Saints a free kick in a promising position after he had been fouled by Richard Odada. Carey took the free kick as he sent a diagonal ball deep into the box and Jack Sanders got on the end of it as his header went back across the box to the back post however, Benji Kimpioka couldn’t steer his header on target.

Saints were awarded another free kick on 24 minutes as Drey Wright was fouled by Vicko Ševelj. Carey again took the free kick as he got his effort from 25 yards up and over the wall however, it didn’t test Jack Walton in the United goal.

PHOTO: Drey Wright gets away from Vicko Ševelj

Saints were playing some really nice football as they upped the pressure on the visitors goal. On 26 minutes Carey curled an effort wide. Then 2 minutes later the Irishman set Makenzie Kirk free with a great through ball and the forward burst into the Tangerines box before seeing his effort turned behind for a corner by Walton.

United started to come back into the match and on 33 minutes Sam Dalby headed over from a Will Ferry corner. Then 3 minutes later Kevin Holt’s cross from the left picked out Ryan Strain but his header was blocked by Jason Holt. Strain got a second bite at the cherry however, Holt again made another important block as he deflected the ball over for a corner. On 38 minutes the visitors were awarded a free kick following a handball by David Keltjens. It was taken by Ferry as he floated the ball into the box and it was met by Odada however, the header from the Kenyan midfielder went over the bar.

Then just before half time Saints took the lead. Kimpioka and Kirk linked up well down the left as the former did well to get in behind the United defence before turning to play in Kirk.  The Northern Irish forward took a touch as he swivelled around before firing a low strike into the far corner of the net.

2 minutes were added on at the end of the first half and Kirk came close doubling Saints lead in the second minute of stoppage time as he saw his effort deflected behind for a corner by Holt.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk celebrates his goal

On 49 minutes space opened up for Drey Wright on the edge of the United box and the midfielder unleashed a powerful effort which Walton palmed away.

United levelled the match on 51 minutes as Glenn Middleton cut in from the left and evaded a challenge from Sven Sprangler before unleashing a shot which went in off the post.

The Tannadice side had started the second half strongly and on 55 minutes Middleton’s through ball played in Kai Fotheringham however, Josh Rae made a good block with his chest to turn the ball behind for a corner.

PHOTO: Božo Mikulić and Kai Fotheringham

The visitors were now dominating proceedings and they took the lead on the hour mark. Ševelj sent over an inviting cross from the right and Dalby showed great movement to get on the end of the delivery to plant a powerful header beyond Rae.

Simo Valakari then made a double change as Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark came on to replace Benji Kimpioka and David Keltjens.

On 69 minutes Sidibeh managed to create space for himself in the box before firing his effort wide of the target.

Simo Valakari freshened it up further on 73 minutes as Matt Smith was introduced into the action, replacing Jason Holt.

PHOTO: Kyle Cameron clears from Kristijan Trapanovski

The Tangerines created further chances to extend their lead as on 76 minutes Ševelj saw his effort saved by Rae. Then 2 minutes later Ross Docherty picked out Dalby in the box however, the on-loan Wrexham forward dragged his effort inches wide.

Saints made another change on 86 minutes as Aaron Essel came on to replace Sven Sprangler and the Ghanaian was quickly involved in the action as a minute as he was caught on the ankle by United defender Declan Gallagher who was sent off by referee Kevin Clancy. Both Carey and Clark stood over the resultant free kick and it was taken by the latter however, the Saints captain couldn’t test Walton with his effort.

Saints now had a glimmer of hope as 6 minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end. In the second minute of stoppage time a Smith cross from the left was met by Jack Sanders and the defender directed a downwards header towards goal but Walton made an excellent save to tip the ball behind for a corner. Smith took the corner from the left and the ball broke to Wright on the edge of the area who had time to control the ball before unleashing a strike which high over the crossbar. Saints got another chance to test Walton in the final minute of stoppage time when Sanders won a free kick after he had been fouled by United substitute Jort van der Sande. Smith took the free kick however, his delivery was too close to Walton who comfortably gathered the ball as the visitors saw the game out to secure the points.

PHOTO: Graham Carey and Ross Docherty

Saints: Rae, Mikulić, Cameron, Sanders, Holt (Smith 73’), Carey, Wright, Sprangler (Essel 86’), Kirk, Kimpioka (Sidibeh 62’), Keltjens (Clark 62’)

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Raymond, Neilson, Kucheriavyi, Franczak  

Booked: Sanders, Sidibeh

Scorer: Kirk (44’)

Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Holt, Ševelj (Stephenson 82’), Ferry, Odada (Docherty 71’), Middleton (Graham 90+4’), Adegboyega, Fotheringham (Trapanovski 71’), Dalby (van der Sande 82’), Gallagher  

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Babunski, Thomson, Ubochioma   

Booked: Docherty

Sent Off: Gallagher

Scorers: Middleton (51’), Dalby (60’)

Referee: Kevin Clancy   

VAR: Matthew MacDermid    

Attendance: 7,306

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Sven Sprangler and Vicko Ševelj