MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
AYR UNITED 0
DUNDEE UNITED 3 (Holt 58’ 90', Moult 62’)
3PM SATURDAY 26 AUGUST 2023
SOMERSET PARK
CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Attendance: 3,103
A ruthless second-half showing from United ensure all three points come back to Dundee.
Three goals and three points on Matchday Three of the #cinchChampionship ?3??#AYRUTD | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/3qKiiPEpnw
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 26, 2023
THE TEAM TALK
Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that drew with Dunfermline Athletic two weeks ago today.
It was a welcome return to the side for club Captain Ross Docherty who missed the Dunfermline match through injury. Declan Glass also made the starting eleven after featuring from the bench in our opening two league fixtures.
Kieran Freeman and Craig Sibbald both missed out through injury.
EARLY SIGHTINGS
Our opening sight at goal fell inside the first minute following a build-up of United possession.
It was Glass who eventually let fly with a curling effort following link-up from Tony Watt and Glenn Middleton, but the young midfielder’s effort caused no harm for Charlie Albinson as it sailed over the bar.
We went close to an opener after just four minutes - again Glass involved - this time with some silky footwork to open up space inside the box for a driven cross. As the ball flashed across goal, Watt almost latched on to it but it was just ahead of our number 32 as he was brought to the ground.
The game seemed to lose some life midway through the half, with the hosts eventually finding their feet.
FIRST HALF POSITIVES
Ayr almost shot themselves in the foot as Captain Sean McGinty gave away cheap possession as they tried to play out. Glass burst forward and slipped in Moult, but McGinty made amends to block his goal-bound effort.
United continued to up the intensity after the half-hour mark.
Docherty was next to try his luck as he curled an effort towards the top corner, Albinson pulling off a smart save to keep the score level.
The Honest Men’s ‘keeper was on hand again to deny Moult just moments later. This time a strong hand forced a corner at best for the Terrors.
Ayr went close themselves just over ten minutes from the half as Aidan McGeady delivered a wicked ball to the back post. George Stanger was the closest to connecting but it was just too far ahead of the defender.
In the last flashpoint of the half, Kevin Holt was on hand to deny McGeady and Ayr the opener as he diverted the ball away from danger with a last-ditch block.
PICKING UP THE POSITIVES
Goodwin’s side started the second period in the same vein as the first.
Our first second-half sighting at goal came inside five minutes as a clever lofted pass from Docherty found Moult in behind the Ayr defence, however, a strong save from Albinson ensured the score remained level.
It took until just before the hour mark to add the goal our performance richly deserved.
An out-swinging corner from Glass was met head-on by Holt who bulleted his header past Albinson to give us a well-earned lead.
A DELIGHTFUL SECOND
After a patient display, we had our second of the afternoon just four minutes later.
Latching on to Cudjoe’s pass, Moult lifted the ball over Albinson who despite his best efforts couldn’t keep the ball from crossing the line.
United made four separate changes as we took control of proceedings:
ON: Meekison, Fotheringham, MacLeod and Mochrie
OFF: Watt, Middleton, Moult and Glass
SEALING THE DEAL
In truth, the game was already done and dusted when Kevin Holt added his second of the afternoon on 90 minutes.
Again it came courtesy of a corner that Holt met at the back post and turned home from close range.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
???? "The level of performance was really good from start to finish. The scoreline may suggest it was a comfortable afternoon but the boys had to work extremely hard for the result."#DUFC Manager Jim Goodwin speaks to DUTV in the aftermatch of our 3-0 victory over Ayr United ???? pic.twitter.com/hCLt2pyAuH
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 26, 2023
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Two-goal hero Kevin Holt is your #AYRUTD Player of the Match ???? https://t.co/CQABlwpNMq pic.twitter.com/tOEa9nb3C4
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 26, 2023
TEAMLINES
Ayr United FC
Starting XI: Albinson, McAllister, Stinger, McGinty (c), Reading, Smith, Musonda, McGeady, McKenzie, Rose, Amartey
Subs: Mutch, Ahui, Young, Pendlebury, Braden, Tomlinson, Ecrepont
Dundee United FC
Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Moult, Middleton, Glass, Docherty (c), Cudjoe, Gallagher, Watt, McMann
Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Meekison, Fotheringham, Duffy, Mochrie, MacLeod, Stirton
NEXT UP
We return to Tannadice next Saturday, taking on Airdrieonians in a 3pm kick-off.
Tickets remain on sale with limited places in hospitality still available.
