UNITED 2 ST.JOHNSTONE 0
United’s fine start to the season continued as goals by Chris Erskine and Paul Paton secured a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone.
By Joe James
Despite this being United’s third game in seven days, there were only two changes made from Wednesday night’s League Cup clash with Dundee. Jackie McNamara brought in Mario Bilate for winger Blair Spittal with Stuart Armstrong also making way for Chris Erskine. The visitors made four changes from their League Cup victory on Tuesday with Frazer Wright, Gary McDonald, David Wotherspoon and Liam Caddis all coming into the starting line-up
First half
In the early stages of the match, both teams had spells in which they controlled possession yet failed to create any clear chances. With both teams’ defence looking strong, it seemed that whoever could dominate the midfield would be the most likely to win.
On eight minutes, United passed up a decent chance to open the scoring. Under pressure from Nadir Ciftci, Alan Mannus’s clearance kick was rifled into the feet of Bilate. The big striker’s heavy first touch brought the ball away from him causing Saints defender Frazer Wright to scoop the ball away from danger.
While United began dominating in terms of possession, at 18 minutes, St Johnstone had a good chance to take the lead. Dave Mackay’s free kick from deep evaded everyone except Michael O’Halloran. The Saints striker was unable to take control of the ball, allowing Callum Morris to punt the ball up field.
Just as the Saints began to take a grip of the game, at 23 minutes, United took the lead through Chris Erskine. David Wotherspoon’s corner was safely collected by Cierzniak, the goalkeeper swiftly threw the ball into the path of Ciftci on the left flank. Ciftci then brilliantly dummied the ball away from Brian Easton before releasing the unmarked Erskine who slotted past Mannus and into the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Throughout the first half, both teams played some nice football in midfield; however, despite both teams looking up for the match there were not many clear goal scoring opportunities.
Second half
In the first few minutes of the second half, United’s high pressing began to cause St Johnstone’s defence problems.
At 50 minutes, United almost scored a spectacular goal through Mario Bilate. Steven Anderson’s long ball was headed forward by Paton, around ten yards outside the box the ball reached Bilate. The striker cleverly controlled the ball on his chest before looping a volley just over Mannus’s crossbar.
At 58 minutes, the Saints were inches away from equalising. Easton’s cross on the left flank was scuffed at by Morris before falling to O’Halloran. The striker’s first touch set him up nicely to shoot a forceful shot off the opposite post from a tight angle.
It wasn’t until 71 minutes that United really got into their groove. The dangerous Erskine held the ball up well just outside the box before back heeling to Ciftci in space. Ciftci then hit a thunderous shot just wide of the target. United’s tails were up.
Just one minute later, United doubled their lead. Again on the right hand side, Ciftci excellently dragged past two defenders before playing the ball into Keith Watson on the right. The full back then coolly slotted a pass into the feet of Paton in the 6 yard box. Paton then instinctively hit a first time shot off the post and into the net for his third goal for United.
At 85 minutes, St Johnstone passed up another golden opportunity to get back into the match. Wotherspoon dinked a brilliant cross over the United defence, before reaching Simon Lappin just inside the box. After a decent touch to set himself up, the substitute then hit a wild shot over Cierzniak’s goal.
After a comfortable four minutes of added time, United managed to hold out for a well deserved three points.
The victory for United extended their unbeaten run to six matches, and with the team now showing the determination and ability to win matches ugly, there is arguably a lot more to come from them this season. Overall, this was an impressive victory for United and a brilliant way to end their poor string of matches against St Johnstone.
Man of the match-
Every time Chris Erskine went forward he looked dangerous. With a well taken goal and a great work ethic, the attacking midfielder was a vital cog in the United midfield.
Teams:
United- Cierzniak, Watson, Morris, Fojut, Dillon, Rankin, Paton, Dow (Spittal 78),Erskine (Mackay-Steven 75), Ciftci, Bilate (Armstrong 62).
Unused subs: Szromnik, Spark, Smith, Telfer.
St Johnstone- Mannus, Wright, Anderson, Mackay, Easton, Caddis, McDonald (Lappin 54), Croft (Morgan 54), Wotherspoon, Davidson, O’Halloran.
Unused subs: Banks, Miller, Brown, Easton, Kerr.
Referee: Bobby Madden
Attendance: 7,161
Match rep by Joseph James
United’s fine start to the season continued as goals by Chris Erskine and Paul Paton secured a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone.
By Joe James
Despite this being United’s third game in seven days, there were only two changes made from Wednesday night’s League Cup clash with Dundee. Jackie McNamara brought in Mario Bilate for winger Blair Spittal with Stuart Armstrong also making way for Chris Erskine. The visitors made four changes from their League Cup victory on Tuesday with Frazer Wright, Gary McDonald, David Wotherspoon and Liam Caddis all coming into the starting line-up
First half
In the early stages of the match, both teams had spells in which they controlled possession yet failed to create any clear chances. With both teams’ defence looking strong, it seemed that whoever could dominate the midfield would be the most likely to win.
On eight minutes, United passed up a decent chance to open the scoring. Under pressure from Nadir Ciftci, Alan Mannus’s clearance kick was rifled into the feet of Bilate. The big striker’s heavy first touch brought the ball away from him causing Saints defender Frazer Wright to scoop the ball away from danger.
While United began dominating in terms of possession, at 18 minutes, St Johnstone had a good chance to take the lead. Dave Mackay’s free kick from deep evaded everyone except Michael O’Halloran. The Saints striker was unable to take control of the ball, allowing Callum Morris to punt the ball up field.
Just as the Saints began to take a grip of the game, at 23 minutes, United took the lead through Chris Erskine. David Wotherspoon’s corner was safely collected by Cierzniak, the goalkeeper swiftly threw the ball into the path of Ciftci on the left flank. Ciftci then brilliantly dummied the ball away from Brian Easton before releasing the unmarked Erskine who slotted past Mannus and into the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Throughout the first half, both teams played some nice football in midfield; however, despite both teams looking up for the match there were not many clear goal scoring opportunities.
Second half
In the first few minutes of the second half, United’s high pressing began to cause St Johnstone’s defence problems.
At 50 minutes, United almost scored a spectacular goal through Mario Bilate. Steven Anderson’s long ball was headed forward by Paton, around ten yards outside the box the ball reached Bilate. The striker cleverly controlled the ball on his chest before looping a volley just over Mannus’s crossbar.
At 58 minutes, the Saints were inches away from equalising. Easton’s cross on the left flank was scuffed at by Morris before falling to O’Halloran. The striker’s first touch set him up nicely to shoot a forceful shot off the opposite post from a tight angle.
It wasn’t until 71 minutes that United really got into their groove. The dangerous Erskine held the ball up well just outside the box before back heeling to Ciftci in space. Ciftci then hit a thunderous shot just wide of the target. United’s tails were up.
Just one minute later, United doubled their lead. Again on the right hand side, Ciftci excellently dragged past two defenders before playing the ball into Keith Watson on the right. The full back then coolly slotted a pass into the feet of Paton in the 6 yard box. Paton then instinctively hit a first time shot off the post and into the net for his third goal for United.
At 85 minutes, St Johnstone passed up another golden opportunity to get back into the match. Wotherspoon dinked a brilliant cross over the United defence, before reaching Simon Lappin just inside the box. After a decent touch to set himself up, the substitute then hit a wild shot over Cierzniak’s goal.
After a comfortable four minutes of added time, United managed to hold out for a well deserved three points.
The victory for United extended their unbeaten run to six matches, and with the team now showing the determination and ability to win matches ugly, there is arguably a lot more to come from them this season. Overall, this was an impressive victory for United and a brilliant way to end their poor string of matches against St Johnstone.
Man of the match-
Every time Chris Erskine went forward he looked dangerous. With a well taken goal and a great work ethic, the attacking midfielder was a vital cog in the United midfield.
Teams:
United- Cierzniak, Watson, Morris, Fojut, Dillon, Rankin, Paton, Dow (Spittal 78),Erskine (Mackay-Steven 75), Ciftci, Bilate (Armstrong 62).
Unused subs: Szromnik, Spark, Smith, Telfer.
St Johnstone- Mannus, Wright, Anderson, Mackay, Easton, Caddis, McDonald (Lappin 54), Croft (Morgan 54), Wotherspoon, Davidson, O’Halloran.
Unused subs: Banks, Miller, Brown, Easton, Kerr.
Referee: Bobby Madden
Attendance: 7,161
Match rep by Joseph James