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2024 CORPORATE GOLF DAY
16th May 2024
Motherwell 0-0 Dundee United
cinch Premiership
3pm Saturday 3rd September 2022
Fir Park
Carljohan Eriksson’s first-half penalty save helped Dundee United claim a point at Motherwell. Finland international Eriksson blocked a Kevin Van Veen spot-kick as a resolute United kept a clean sheet.
It was back to league action for the Terrors after overcoming Livingston in the League Cup during midweek.
Interim Head Coach Liam Fox made no changes to the United side as we look to build consistency.
First-Half
There was an early booking for United as Charlie Mulgrew was penalised for bringing down Ross Tierney as he drove through the heart of midfield. Kevin Van Veen stepped up to hit the free-kick 25 yards from goal but his effort was diverted wide by the United wall.
Our opening chance of the first half came as Dylan Levitt’s free-kick found the head of Ryan Edwards, whose looping header was comfortably dealt with by Liam Kelly in the Motherwell net.
United had another sight of goal in the 16th minute. This time it was Steven Fletcher and Jamie McGrath with a nice combination down the left wing. McGrath managed to dig the ball out for a cross but Fletcher’s header bounced just wide of the post.
Saku’s Stops
A number of saves from our number 13 Saku ensured the first half ended goalless.
In the seventh minute, Spittal broke down the United right side before edging his way into the box and firing a low drive goalwards. However, the Motherwell number 7 failed to get any real conviction on the shot and Eriksson got down low to keep the ball out.
There were appeals for a penalty in the 17th minute as Van Veen knocked the ball beyond Eriksson. But there appeared to be minimal contact and Craig Napier waved away the home side’s claims.
A penalty was eventually awarded to the hosts after 32 minutes. Some last-ditch defending from Ryan Edwards kept Motherwell at bay but the United skipper was adjudged to have used his hand to stop a goal-bound effort.
Van Veen stepped up from 12 yards but Saku got across to his right-hand side to make an excellent stop.
Second-Half
There was confusion in the Motherwell half in the opening stages of the second period.
Ian Harkes was fouled on the edge of the box before the ball fell kindly to Tony Watt - who looked offside standing in the Motherwell penalty area.
Watt eventually got a shot away before the play was brought back for a United free kick that failed to trouble Kelly.
Callum Slattery and Motherwell Manager Steven Hammell were both booked in the build-up.
Motherwell dominated the chances in the second half, without creating anything clear-cut until late on.
With seven minutes to play, the ball ended up at the feet of Van Veen inside the United box but his low drive towards goal was outstandingly blocked by Edwards to keep it goalless.
United came close in the latter stages as well, with Liam Smith’s first-time effort being deflected wide and Mulgrew’s free-kick dipping just over the crossbar.
Teamline:
Starting XI: Eriksson, Smith, Mulgrew, Graham, Fletcher, Edwards (c), Behich, McGrath, Levitt (Sibbald 74’), Harkes & Watt (Middleton 60’)
Substitutes: Newman, McMann, Niskanen, Sibbald, Middleton, Meekison, A. Sadat, Freeman & Cudjoe
Next-Up
It’s another cinch Premiership clash next weekend as we take on Hibernian at Tannadice.
