Airdrieonians | Matchday Programme 04 by dundeeunitedfc

the gaffer

Good afternoon and welcome to Tannadice!

Again we’re back in league action for what will be another difficult test in the cinch Championship.

We’re really looking forward to the game and we’re delighted to be back in front of our home crowd. We had over 9,000 at the match against Dunfermline so hopefully, we’ll get a similar volume of people through the gates this afternoon.

I have a lot of admiration for the way Airdrie are trying to play the game at the moment. I think Rhys McCabe deserves a lot of credit - it’s great to see young managers be given the opportunities first and foremost but then to see them be brave enough to play the type of football that Airdrie are at the moment is fantastic. They did it in League One last year and got promoted off the back of it and Rhys hasn’t changed his style of play which is great credit to him.

In terms of ourselves, I’m delighted with the attitude of the players - they’ve worked extremely hard during the last few weeks. We’re unbeaten in five, with one goal conceded, and defensively we look really solid and well-organised. The players whom we signed for key positions identified in the summer have made a real difference and we look a threat going forward. We’ve got a couple of players who can play multiple positions, a lot of experienced, senior players, who have been there and done it before, and we’ve got hungry, up-and-coming players who are chomping at the bit for an opportunity.

We scored three against Ayr last Saturday and a bundle-load against Arbroath on the opening day. We also should’ve scored more against Dunfermline so we can score two or three per game and the fact that we make life so difficult for opposition teams to score against us bodes well for the season ahead.

FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, WE’RE IN A VERY GOOD PLACE. CONFIDENCE-WISE, THE BOYS ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES, WE HAVE GOT THAT BIT OF MOMENTUM AND WE WANT TO CARRY ON THIS UNBEATEN RUN FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN.

I hope you all enjoy the game!

- JIM GOODWIN

GOODWIN

JIM

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the skipper

Good afternoon and welcome back to Tannadice.

It’s been a few weeks since our last game against Dunfermline here. A frustrating afternoon for me personally as I missed out with an injury. I thought the boys were very good in the match itself and another day could’ve scored a few more goals. I was delighted to see the boys show great character and rescue a point in the end. It would have been a travesty had we not taken at least a point but wee Cudjoe stepped up and scored a screamer to save the day.

We then took a trip to face Premier League side Burnley. It was a great experience for everyone, especially the younger ones coming through as that’s the level and environment they should be aspiring to get to. It was great to go away together as a full squad and get to know each other a bit better.

Last week’s trip to Ayr United brought us another three points on the road. It was a frustrating first half where we couldn’t get ourselves in front but a fantastic second-half performance meant we were able to score three good goals and send the amazing travelling support up the road happy.

THE PLAYERS WANT TO THANK THE SUPPORT WE GOT, WITH OVER A THOUSAND UNITED FANS MAKING THE LONG TRIP. YOU WERE LIKE A TWELFTH MAN AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN THAT SECOND HALF BEHIND THE GOAL. THAT KIND OF SUPPORT IS GOING TO BE HUGE FOR US THIS SEASON FOR THE CLUB TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

I hope everyone enjoys the game today.

All the best, DOC.

the visitors

For the second home match in succession, we welcome a newly promoted side to Tannadice. Whilst Dunfermline may have won last season’s League One title, Airdrieonians’ success via the playoffs was undoubtedly a more exciting spectacle.

Finishing in third place, a colossal 21 points off the top spot, the Diamonds destroyed Falkirk 7-2 on aggregate before meeting Championship side Hamilton Accies in the final.

A last-minute Gabriel McGill counter in the second leg tied the score at 2-2 over the two matches, with the subsequent penalty shoot-out seeing the North Lanarkshire side return to the second tier of Scottish football after a ten-year absence.

This term saw an impressive ViaPlay Cup run with Airdrieonians recording the only 100% record of the group stage as Dumbarton, Dundee, ICT and Bonnyrigg Rose were all defeated.

This led to a last-sixteen tie against Ross County which, despite a remarkable late comeback, saw the Diamonds exit in extra time after a seven-goal thriller.

Despite a tough opening set of league fixtures, the Diamonds have shown that they have a squad more than capable of competing at this level.

A narrow opening-day defeat at Dunfermline was followed by a 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle.

Despite going down to ten men, Rhys McCabe’s side defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 last weekend, leaving them sitting pretty in fourth place.

new faces

Hibernian youngsters Murray Aiken and Josh O’Connor have both joined the club on season-long loans. Aiken is a versatile midfielder with outstanding levels of fitness who signed a two-year deal at Easter Road in May, whilst striker O’Connor has big shoes to fill as the son of ex-Hibee and Scotland international, Garry.

The 19-year-old possesses lightning pace and scored his first senior goal against Bonnyrigg Rose last month.

Goalkeeper Joshua Clarke is another season-long loanee. The 19-year-old Londoner made his senior debut for Glenavon at the age of 18 and has incredibly featured at youth international level for Sweden, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland!

Mason Hancock joined Aberdeen in 2020 after spells with Fulham and Oxford United’s youth sides. The English defender initially went on loan to Stirling Albion, but last term featured in Aberdeen’s four League Cup matches, helping the Dons rack up four clean sheets. It came as a surprise therefore that he was then loaned to Arbroath, but a knee injury ended his season after just thirteen appearances for The Lichties and the 20-year-old was released by The Dons last in the summer.

After spending last season on loan from St Mirren, Dean McMaster made the move permanent in the summer. The deep-lying midfielder featured 24 times during the promotion season and impressed with his work-rate and neat passing.

Much-travelled Bulgarian striker Nikolai Todorov was the club’s first summer signing following his release from Dunfermline. The 26-year-old knows where the net is and scored 11 times as he lifted a League One winner’s medal last term.

THE MANAGER rhys

ONE TO WATCH CALLUM GALLAGHER

In hindsight, the capture of Rhys McCabe in the summer of 2021 has proven to be an absolute masterstroke by the club.

After featuring 41 times and scoring 7 goals in his debut season, the midfielder was the outstanding candidate to replace the outgoing manager, Ian Murray, in May 2022.

The board had no hesitation in making the former Scotland U21 international the youngest manager in the SPFL by offering him a deal as player/manager.

Still only 31 and blessed with real footballing intelligence, the former Rangers youth graduate is still a vital part of the playing squad.

However, after sustaining a slight tear of his medial ligament against Partick, Rhys will need to be content solely with managerial duties this afternoon.

A vastly experienced player who featured for Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Dunfermline, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic, Brechin City and QoS, he has made an admirable start to his fledging career as a manager with promotion in his first full season in charge.

Since Airdrie’s reformation in 2002, no one has hit the net for the club quite like the Giffnock-born striker.

The 28-year-old actually trained with United for a short spell in his early teens before signing for Rangers as a youth.

Progressing through the ranks, and after loans with Alloa and East Stirling, he made his debut for the Ibrox club in 2014. A further loan (this time at Cowdenbeath) preceded his permanent move to St Mirren where he spent 18 months before having a spell with Dumbarton.

It was only after signing for The Diamonds in the summer of 2019 that Gallagher became a somewhat regular goal scorer.

Fourteen goals in his debut season set the tone and his ViaPlay Cup brace against Ross County last month saw ‘Gal’ chalk up his 65th goal in just 154 appearances for the club.

Last season’s return of 23 goals (22 league and a solitary cup strike against Dundee) was a career-best and saw him lift the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for League One as well as being the divisions’ joint top scorer.

mccabe

PLAYED FOR BOTH

paddy Connolly

Paddy joined United from Hamilton Thistle and progressed through the Club’s youth system.

He was part of the national youth side and a regular in the United Reserve side from 1986. He made his first team debut in a testimonial match against Highland side Keith in May 1988.

But he had to wait a further year before making his competitive debut in the penultimate league match of season 1988-89 season against Hearts at Tynecastle.

In 1990 he made three appearances for the Scotland U21 side, and appeared frequently in the United line-up, scoring his first goal in a 2-0 victory over Celtic at Tannadice in January 1990.

Another notable early goal was a late, late equaliser against East Fife in the Scottish Cup that saved embarrassment and helped see United progress to the final that season. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t to figure in the final against Motherwell.

By 1992-93, he was a regular in the side and was top scorer with 19 goals, forming a lethal partnership with Duncan Ferguson. During that campaign, his infamous ‘goal that never was’ occurred away to Partick Thistle in February 1993.

Indeed, it created a worldwide change in goal nets. Paddy scored a legitimate goal, but the ball hit the stanchion holding the net in place and the ‘goal’ was missed by the referee Les Mottram who somehow also failed to give a penalty after Thistle’s Martin Clark picked the ball up! As a direct result of this incident, stanchions were no longer permitted, and FIFA ordered that nets must be held back by ties.

Paddy continued to command a regular starting place at the beginning of the 1993-94 season, but by the end of that term, he had fallen out of favour and was transfer listed.

He endured three serious injuries that kept him out of the first team for most of the next two seasons, and during a contract dispute with the Club, he was transferred to Airdrieonians for a fee of around £150,000 in March 1996.

In total, he figured 144 times and scored 40 goals, which does not include that fiasco at Firhill!

In just over two years at Broomfield Park, he featured in 75 games and scored 21 goals.

It was in 1998 he moved to St Johnstone, spending six years with the Perth side, which included loan spells at Morton and Ayr United. He was then transferred to the Somerset Park club in 2004 and had spells with Stirling Albion and Brechin City before retiring in 2008.

Paddy took up a coaching role with Albion Rovers and had a spell as a scout for Fulham before being appointed Assistant Manager at Alloa Athletic, where he remains to this day, having carried out caretaker manager duties on two occasions. His son Aiden, of course, had a spell with United and is now in his second spell with Raith Rovers.

the tangerine files scott mcmann

Do you have any pre-match superstitions?

I don’t have any superstitions. What would you be if you weren’t a footballer?

PT or PE teacher.

Best stadium you’ve played at?

Ibrox for the atmosphere.

Best player you have played with?

Lewis Ferguson - he came into the first team at Hamilton very young and straight away you could tell he was going to go far.

Best player you have played against?

James Maddison - he played for Aberdeen against Hamilton and ran the game, and now obviously doing well at Tottenham.

Who is the best player of all time?

Lionel Messi - he’s the best goal scorer and the best at creating chances.

Best game you’ve ever watched?

Hibs 0-2 Hamilton Accies in the 2014 Play Off Final. No one gave Hamilton a chance and they went to Easter road and won after losing 2-0 at home.

Best advice you’ve ever been given?

Play with a smile on your face.

Who is the dressing room joker?

Grimmy (Liam Grimshaw) - the burnley accent is the best!

Who is the best dressed in the United squad?

Kieran Freeman.

Who is the worst dressed in the United squad?

Rory MacLeod because he wears some outrageous shoes.

Which one player would you take on a holiday with you?

Craig Sibbald because we’ve already been away a couple of times and he doesn’t complain about anything just gets on with it.

What do you do in your spare time?

Play golf, PS5, watch Sports on TV.

Favourite TV show?

How I Met Your Mother.

Favourite band?

Don’t really have one...

scott’s ultimate 5 a side team

33mcmann

dundee united dunfermline athletic

3PM

the team talk

Jim Goodwin made just one change to the side that cruised to victory in Arbroath.

It was an enforced one at that, with Ross Docherty picking up a minor knock during the week. He was replaced by Kieran Freeman as Liam Grimshaw took his place in midfield.

All four of last week’s goalscorers were involved alongside an unchanged back four.

There were places on the bench for Logan Chalmers and Kai Fotheringham, who both returned to the fold following recent injuries.

GETTING TO GRIPS

United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in what was a relatively tame first forty-five.

Our first sighting at goal came within seven minutes following a tidy combination between Cudjoe and Tony Watt. It was the latter who found himself in space on the right, but he dragged his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Just two minutes later, a strong save from Jack Walton denied Aaron Comrie as he fired at goal from inside twelve yards. As United looked to break, a cynical foul from Christopher Hamilton on Watt saw him receive the first caution of the match.

1 1 Cudjoe 90+3’ Wighton 61’ Saturday 12 August 2023 | Tannadice Park | cinch Championship | Attendance: 8,892 (Visitors 896) A stunner from Mathew Cudjoe ensure the points are shared on Matchday Two of the cinch Championship.

Gilt-edged chances were few and far between - however, we did almost take the lead courtesy of our own goal.

A tenacious, bursting run from Scott McMann down the left allowed him to work the ball across the face of the box in search of a tangerine shirt. It was in fact Comrie who almost turned the ball into his own net but luckily for the Pars Harrison Sharp was on hand to gather.

Watt and Moult both had efforts blocked en route to goal before a last-ditch block from Holt stopped the visitors from going in front.

After being drafted in from the start, Freeman’s race was run after just 32 mimes when he was forced off through injury. He was replaced by Archie Meekison with Grimshaw being re-deployed at right back.

A goalless half petered out in the torrential rain at Tannadice.

SECOND 45

Much like the first half, United’s first opening came inside the opening ten minutes. After wriggling clear of the Pars’ midfield, Cudjoe looked to curl one into the top corner, but a smart stop from Sharp kept United at bay.

Just beyond the hour, the visitors took the lead. A cross into a dangerous area was glanced goalward by Craig Wighton - finding the far corner to put the Pars ahead.

Meekison almost pulled us level just minutes later - shooting across goal from a narrow-angle. Unfortunately for the Academy graduate, it landed just wide of the far post.

Two separate United changes followed:

OFF: Middleton and Watt

ON: Fotheringham and Glass

Fotheringham almost made an instant impact, but Cudjoe’s cross was just too high for our number 18 to connect.

Cudjoe himself was inches away with a wellstruck volley. A neat flick over a defender inside the box kept the ball alive before his thunderous volley crashed just wide.

JUST REWARDS

Deep into five minutes of injury time, Cudjoe did have a deserved goal - his second in as many games.

United broke down the left in search of an equaliser. Coming inside, Fotheringham worked the ball to Cudjoe, who found himself in acres of space 25 yards from goal.

After a touch to get it out his feet, he arrowed a left-footed effort into the top right corner, leaving Sharp rooted to the spot.

Dundee United: Walton, Freeman (Meekison 32), Gallagher, Holt, McMann, Sibbald, Grimshaw, Middleton (Fotheringham 70), Watt © (Glass 75), Cudjoe, Moult.

Subs not used: Newman (GK), Graham, Chalmers, MacLeod, Denham, Duffy.

Dunfermline: Sharp: Fisher, Benedictus, Otoo, Hamilton: Comrie, Allan (Tod 57), Chalmers, Edwards: Wighton, O’Halloran (Summers 57).

Subs Not Used: Little (GK) Fenton, Sutherland.

Referee: Euan Robertson

SETTING THE SCENE

HOW HIBS BECAME UNITED

At the end of next month, Dundee United will be 100 years old, though to be more precise, it will be a celebration of the change of name from Dundee Hibernian which in time heralded heights of achievement that nobody could possibly ever have envisaged.

Over the next few issues, we will recall some of the historic events that highlighted the club’s rise from low beginnings.

When Dundee Hibs was first formed in 1909, there was no ambiguity as to the purpose of the city businessmen behind its formation, being designed to provide a focus of sporting interest for the city’s large Irish, Roman Catholic population.

However, 13 years later, the club having lost its league status, it was bought by a group of businessmen, most of whom neither carried the religious nor cultural attachments of their predecessors. For the first time, a limited company was formed.

A lot of hard lobbying was going to be required to regain their league status given the team they inherited were languishing in the Alliance League where they toiled miserably, winning just six of their 26 league fixtures against reserve teams and exiting the Scottish Cup at the hands of Nithsdale Wanderers, a team they were to thrash out of sight nine years later!

Meanwhile, representations were ongoing as the new directorate was busy putting forward a persuasive argument as to why the Clubs should vote for Hibs to be re-elected to the Scottish League.

However, by the time that came to pass in May 1923, Bob Miller alias ‘Unomi’ in the People’s Journal had suggested that a name change might help their cause.

In January 1923, he wrote, “Were ‘Dundee Rovers’ or ‘Dundee City’ substituted for Dundee Hibs the barrier that keeps many from giving personal practical support to the Club would be broken down, attendances would increase to a healthy level with a consequent growth in revenue and a strengthening of financial foundations.”

However, conscious that such a move might be beneficial, the directors decided not to include it in the application for league status, because it might be deemed, for example ‘Dundee City’, as a new club.

Hence, it was agreed to defer any name change until Scottish League status had been assured.

(To be continued in the programme v Morton)

Dundee Hibs line-up for the start of the season in which the name change was to take place. Back row: Hutchison (Director), Simpson (Director), Richards, Brownlie (Player/Manager), O’Kane, Lamb (Director), Robertson (Trainer), Hogg (Director). Middle row: Gilmour, Kay, Porter, Hannah, Dickson (Chairman). Front row: McEwan, Knox, Cottingham, Stirling.

the early days

Throughout the season we’ll be looking back at meetings between visiting clubs and the Hibs. Initially, it should be said that the club visiting us today is not the same as the Airdrieonians that three times faced Dundee Hibs.

The current version was founded in 2002 as Airdrie United, with the aim of filling the vacancy in the Scottish League caused by the liquidation of the original Airdrieonians that year. The owners of Airdrie United bought Clydebank FC and assumed their place in the Second Division for season 2003-04. The club was then moved from Dunbartonshire to Lanarkshire, in much the same manner that Meadowbank Thistle was transformed into Livingston in 1995. The name change to Airdrieonians took place in 2013.

While this means that the current club is therefore officially a legal continuation of Clydebank, it is almost universally accepted as a reincarnation of Airdrieonians. We’re certainly happy to do so, as otherwise we wouldn’t have a link to the days of Dundee Hibs!

The original Airdrieonians FC was founded in 1878 as Excelsior FC (hence the name of the current club’s ground), becoming Airdrieonians three years later. They were promoted to Division One in 1903 and by the time that Dundee Hibernian were elected to Division Two in 1910, Airdrieonians had become an established club at the top level.

The clubs were never in the same division of the Scottish League, but they did meet in the Scottish Cup in 1914.

Although that was during the fifth season of the Hibs’ existence, it was only the second Scottish Cup tie played by the club. At the time, only clubs in Division One gained automatic entry to the competition; those in Division Two had to compete with non-league clubs in the Qualifying Cup, with the last 16 winning a place in the Scottish Cup draw.

Dundee Hibs, pictured in December 1913. Eight of these players faced Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup tie at Broomfield Park two months later.

Dundee Hibs reached the Qualifying Cup final in 1913-14, losing to Airdrieonians’ local rivals Albion Rovers in the final, after two replays. In all, they played ten ties in the Qualifying Cup that season, so they were well-experienced in knock-out football when they travelled to Broomfield Park for the second-round tie on 7 February 1914.

A crowd of 5000 saw these teams face each other:

Airdrieonians: James Brown, Bob Mackie, Jimmy Lawson, Tom Paton, Bobby Williams, Dan Rafferty, Willie Templeman, James Reid, Walter Paterson, Andy Donaldson, Alex Thomson. Manager, John Chapman

Dundee Hibernian: George Sutherland, William Welsh, George Forbes, Sam Whyte, James Govan, Tom Boland, Bill Henderson, Ned McDonald, Collie Martin, Willie Linn, Fred Stoessel. Manager, Pat Reilly

Playing with a strong wind behind them in the first half, the Hibs tried to take the game to the home side but were under pressure themselves for much of the time. Fred Stoessel’s speed down the left wing often saw him outpace Airdrie full-back Bob Mackie and one of his crosses brought a sharp save from ‘keeper James Brown.

His opposite number, George Sutherland, was the more active goalie but dealt confidently with efforts from the home forwards. Just when it seemed the Hibs would reach half-time on level terms, the deadlock was broken in the final minute when, from what was described as ‘a scramble in front of Sutherland’s charge’ Andy Donaldson found the net.

After the break it was clear that the efforts of the part-time Hibs players had left them without the energy to withstand Airdrieonians’ power, particularly as the wind had not relented. The men in green held out for the first fifteen minutes of the second half but when Scotland international James Reid scored a second, followed soon after by another from Donaldson, the tie was over.

Reid netted his second and near the end Walter Paterson made the final score 5-0 for the club that finished that season sixth (out of 20) in Division One. But there was no disgrace for the Tannadice men, who had given a good account of themselves.

That was the only occasion when Airdrieonians and Dundee Hibernian met at first team level, but the clubs did come into contact again during season 1922-23.

However, we won’t dwell on that because it was in the Scottish Alliance, a league for the reserve teams of Division One clubs in which the Greens played after losing their Scottish League place the previous season.

The visit of Airdrieonians ‘A’ to Tannadice in October 1922 ended 1-1 but the return at Broomfield saw the Hibs suffer the worst defeat in their 14-year history – by 7-0!

This newspaper headline provides a succinct report of the 1914 cup tie!

The airman’s Club

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Scot Steel

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Gillies of Broughty Ferry

Colin Cromar

Errea

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Carling

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The Dugout

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Martin & Co

Redwell Infrared Heating

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Lounge ‘87

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Arbikie Distilling Ltd

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Paint Tec

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TUNNEL BOXES

Fanbase Spaces Taylored

As we embark on 100 years of Dundee United, join us for a night of celebration and commemoration, looking back on a storied history under our United stride.

The event will take place at the Apex City Quay Hotel, Dundee on Friday 13 October 2023.

ON THE NIGHT

Our Gala Dinner boasts an illustrious guest list, with United legends from across generations set to be in attendance. Guests can look forward to a delectable three-course meal, live entertainment as well as some iconic stories from club legends.

HALL OF FAME

The club are thrilled to re-introduce our Hall of Fame - with two icons of Dundee United set to be inducted on the night.

The Dundee United Players’ Hall of Fame was established in 2008, with the first inductees being chosen by means of a popular vote amongst supporters.

Our Hall of Fame celebrates career achievements, service, landmark performances and legendary status at our Football Club.

EXCLUSIVE MEMORABILIA

A special exhibition of memorabilia spanning the club’s entire history will be on display on the night. Look out for more exciting details on our memorabilia exhibition in due course!

PACKAGES

Only our standard package remains for this event.

• Ticket to the event

• Commemorative gift

• Individual Ticket: £90

• Table of 10: £850

Please note: VIP packages are extremely limited and sold on a first-come first-serve basis.

Discounted prices for tables of 10 can only be redeemed by following the specific link for table bookings. Any individual bookings with 10 or more people will still be charged at £90pp.

PLACES ARE NOW EXTREMELY LIMITED - SCAN BELOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

Dundee Hibs’ interest in the Scottish Cup came to an early end, losing out at the first hurdle to near neighbours Forfar Athletic. It was the second season in a row that the fledgling club had exited at the first hurdle. Forfar were two up before Dan Gibson pulled one back from the penalty spot.

How the Scotsman reported the game, and just to enlighten you the Newman who scored both United’s goals was Chic Weir Signed on a one-month loan deal from Dunfermline, this was his debut.

Indeed, all told, he made six appearances, scoring five times, prompting the Fifers to refuse extending the deal!

Not as convincing a victory as the scoreline may suggest. As so often was the case, Peter McKay was instrumental in helping the club top the group and reach the Quarter Final. Frank Quinn had given United the lead after eight minutes and doubled the lead three minutes later, But John Dempsey pulled one back shortly before the break to instil some belief into the Fifers who dominated the second half.

However, McKay typically struck again after 71 minutes to ensure victory with Ross adding the fourth.

1981

With neither side able to qualify from the section, there was little at stake.

The Dons, however, got off to a rip-roaring start, a well-taken Hugh Baird goal after three minutes, it was looking good when youngster Charlie Cooke doubled the lead on 20 minutes.

But perhaps the hosts became a bit cock-sure which allowed Jerry Kerr’s men back into the game. Neil Mochan reduced the deficit five minutes from the interval.

And when Gillespie equalised, six minutes from time up, it was well deserved.

After sailing through their League Cup section, United cruised to victory in the opening league game. Sandy White and Kenny Cameron fired United into a two-goal lead Before Ally McRoberts pulled one back for the Diamonds on the stroke of half-time. A second Kenny Cameron’s fifth goal of the season 13 minutes from the end, ensured victory.

1995

Without a win from their opening two games following relegation from the Premier Division, this was a most welcome victory, but Billy Kirkwood’s side had to come from behind to achieve it. John McQuade gave Accies an interval lead, Steven Pressley’s header just before the hour mark saw relief reverberated around Tannadice. And even more so when Paddy Connolly hit the 78th-minute winner.

By winning by four goals in the first leg at Douglas Park, United effectively assured themselves of a place in the semi-final. A Davie Dodds double inside the opening 20 minutes was followed by two goals in as many minutes early in the second half, Eamonn Bannon with a penalty and John Holt the scorers.

Two goals in stoppage time saw Dundee United progress into the last 16 of the Irn Bru Cup with a lacklustre 3-1 win over Alloa Athletic. It took Ray McKinnon’s men until the 72nd minute to make the breakthrough, Patrick N’Koyi converting a penalty only for Kevin Cawley to level for the Wasps six minutes later. Fortunately, Willo Flood and Paul McMullan were on target to prevent extra time.

1911 - DUNDEE UTD 1-2 FORFAR ATHLETIC | QUALIFYING CUP (1ST ROUND) 1933 - DUMBARTON 4-2 DUNDEE UTD | LEAGUE (DIVISION TWO) 1950 - DUNDEE UTD 4-1 COWDENBEATH | LEAGUE CUP (SECTIONAL TIE) 1961 - ABERDEEN 2-2 DUNDEE UTD | LEAGUE CUP (SECTIONAL TIE) Dons’ keeper Tubby Ogston fumbles Dennis Gillespie’s header for United’s late leveller. 1972 - DUNDEE UTD 3-1 AIRDRIE | LEAGUE (DIVISION ONE) - HAMILTON 0-4 DUNDEE UTD | LEAGUE CUP (QUARTER FINAL 1ST LEG) - DUNDEE UTD 2-1 HAMILTON | LEAGUE (FIRST DIVISION) 2017 - DUNDEE UTD 3-1 ALLOA ATHLETIC | CHALLENGE CUP (2ND ROUND)

02 SEPTEMBER

ayr united dundee united

3PM Saturday 26 August 2023 | Somerset Park | cinch Championship | Attendance: 3,103 (Visitors 1,083) A ruthless second-half showing from United ensure all three points come back to Dundee.

the team talk

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that drew with Dunfermline Athletic two weeks previous.

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.

3 Holt 58’, 90’, Moult 62’

SECOND 45

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.

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 ball into the box that Holt met at the back post and turned home from close range.

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.

watch the story of the match here

Ayr United: Albinson, McAllister, Stanger, McGinty ©, Reading, McKenzie (Brydon 66), Musonda, Smith (Young 59), McGeady (Ecrepont 59), Amartey (Tomlinson 59), Rose.

Subs not used: Mutch (GK), Ahui, Pendlebury.

Dundee United: Walton, Grimshaw, Gallacher, Holt, McMann, Docherty ©, Glass (89), Middleton (Fotheringham 81), Watt (Meekison 72), Cudjoe, Moult (MacLeod 82).

Subs not used: Newman (GK), Denham, Graham, Duffy, Stirton.

Referee: Nick Walsh

fixtures

season 2023/24 DATE OPPOSITION COMP RES ATT STARTING XI July 15 The Spartans (A) VC L 0-1 1,701 Walton Freeman Denham Holt McMann Grimshaw Docherty © Cudjoe 18 Partick Thistle (H) VC L 1-2 3,147 Walton Freeman Denham Holt McMann Docherty © Sibbald 1 Cudjoe 22 Peterhead (H) VC W 3-0 2,103 Walton Grimshaw Graham Holt 2 McMann Docherty © Middleton Mochrie 25 Falkirk (A) VC W 1-0 3,186 Walton Freeman Graham Holt McMann Sibbald Docherty © Meekison August 4 Arbroath (A) cc W 4-0 5,558 Walton Grimshaw Gallagher Holt McMann Sibbald 1 Docherty © Cudjoe 12 Dunfermline Athletic (H) cc D 1-1 8,892 Walton Freeman Gallagher Holt McMann Sibbald Grimshaw Middleton 26 Ayr United (A) cc W 0-3 3,103 Walton Grimshaw Gallacher Holt 2 McMann Docherty © Glass Middleton September 2 Airdrieonians (H) cc 9 Dunfermline Athletic (H) cc 16 Greenock Morton (H) cc 23 Inverness CT (A) cc 30 Queen’s Park (H) cc October 07 Raith Rovers (A) cc 21 Partick Thistle (A) cc 28 Arbroath (H) cc 31 Airdrieonians (A) cc November 4 Inverness CT (H) cc 11 Dunfermline Ath (A) cc December 02 Greenock Morton(A) cc 09 Ayr United (H) cc 16 Raith Rovers (H) cc 23 Queen’s Park (A) cc 30 Partick Thistle (H) cc January 02 Arbroath (A) cc 06 Greenock Morton (H) cc 13 Inverness CT (A) cc 27 Dunfermline Athletic (H) cc February 03 Ayr Uinted (A) cc 17 Raith Rovers (A) cc 24 Queen’s Park (H) cc 27 Airdrieonians (H) cc March 02 Partick Thistle (A) cc 09 Arbroath (H) cc 16 Dunfedrmline Ath (A) cc 23 Inverness CT (H) cc 30 Raith Rovers (H) cc April 06 Queen’s Park (A) cc 13 Greenock Morton (A) cc 20 Ayr United (H) cc 27 Airdrieonians (A) cc May 03 Partick Thistle (H) cc

and results

KEY: GOAL 1 BOOKED SENT OFF FIRST SUB SECOND SUB THIRD SUB FOURTH SUB FIFTH SUB

Cudjoe Meekison Middleton Watt Newman Graham Chalmers Sibbald Glass Duffy Mochrie MacLeod Thomson Cudjoe Fotheringham Glass Watt Newman Graham Grimshaw Moult Chalmers Middleton Meekison Mochrie MacLeod Mochrie Meekison Watt Moult 1 Newman Denham Chalmers Sibbald Fotheringham Glass Freeman MacLeod Cudjoe Meekison Fotheringham 1 Cudjoe Watt Newman Denham Niskanen Grimshaw Middleton Glass Duffy MacLeod Thomson Cudjoe 1 Middleton 1 Watt Moult 1 Newman Denham Graham Meekison Glass Freeman Duffy MacLeod Thomson Middleton Watt © Cudjoe 1 Moult Newman Denham Graham Chalmers Meekison Fotheringham Glass Duffy MacLeod Middleton Watt Cudjoe Moult 1 Newman Denham Graham Meekison Fotheringham Duffy Mochrie MacLeod Stirton

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