First Team
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1st May 2024
Dundee United commemorated their 100th anniversary in style as they hit Arbroath for six under the Tannadice lights.
Looking resplendent in a unique, white-out shirt, it was yet another blistering start from the Terrors.
Inside two minutes, Kai Fotheringham’s corner appeared to have caught Lichties stopper Derek Gaston out at his near post, with all of a United persuasion in the area claiming the ball had crossed the line. Referee Colin Steven and his assistant disagreed however.
The match officials would be the centre of attention once more when Louis Moult stroked Glenn Middleton’s low ball across the box home from point-blank range - this time the flag raised for offside against the United frontman.
However, Moult wasn’t to be denied a second time, again cushioning a Middleton cutback into the back of the net to give Goodwin’s men the lead on seven minutes.
The hosts wouldn’t have to wait long for their second. At the second bite of the cherry, Fotheringham picked out Ross Docherty in the area, and the United skipper left evaded the despairing challenge of Thomas O’Brien before rattling the ball into the roof of the net despite the best efforts of Gaston.
On the stroke of half-time, Fotheringham found himself in the thick of the action again, this time writing his own name on the scoresheet. Scott McMann’s whipped delivery was fumbled by the ‘keeper, and Academy graduate Fotheringham was on hand to apply the finishing touch from less than three yards.
Into the second half, the tangerine waves of attack showed no signs of slowing, with United’s fourth goal coming courtesy of Tony Watt in the 57th minute.
After winning possession from David Gold in the centre-circle, Watt strode forward, unselfishly laying the ball to his right for Fotheringham to strike, but the youngster found his effort thwarted by Gaston. Fortunately, the rebound fell kindly for Fortheringham, who eventually returned scraps to Watt on the edge of the box.
The 29-year-old delicately dinked the ball over O’Brien’s lunging tackle and dispatched with complete conviction for his third league strike of the season.
Number five came just after the hour mark - Middleton recording his eighth assist in ten games as he laid the ball on a plate for colleague Moult to skilfully convert on the slide.
Substitute Mathew Cudjoe added the cherry on top of the centenary cake in the closing exchanges, sidestepping an outrageous attempted challenge from O’Brien to collect Walton’s Route One ball inside the attacking half.
The Ghanaian entered the right side of the penalty area, then sent a beautifully curled finish into the opposite corner to round off a truly fitting evening.
