Dundee Utd 3
St Johnstone 3
League (Division One)

Match Report

United began their league campaign in Division One with a home game, and manager Jerry Kerr made just one change to the eleven who rounded off the otherwise disappointing League Cup section with a win at Fir Park, leaving out Kenny Cameron in favour of Alec Reid. Involved in first team plans for the first time this season, Stuart Markland was named as substitute.

A clearance from John Lambie in the opening stages prevented the United forward line from making an early breakthrough, Alan Gordon's chance desperately thwarted. Four minutes in, the Saints made their intentions known with clever link up play between John Connolly and Jim Pearson setting up former United man Benny Rooney who shot goalward. Four minutes later, United forced a save from Jim Donaldson when a high Davie Wilson cross found the head of Joe Watson. Just a minute later, Alan Gordon shot straight at Donaldson before a turn of luck saw the Perth men take the lead. A controversial penalty award for an apparent Walter Smith handball led to John Connolly taking the resultant spot kick and and he made no mistake, blasting it into the corner. United were denied a penalty of their own ten minutes later as they searched for an equaliser, but instead the goal came on 27 minutes. A poorly taken goal kick from Donaldson was eaten up by Alan Gordon as he slotted the ball between the Saints' stopper's legs to level. Within five minutes, United had the lead. With a throw in, Billy Gray found the head of Gordon who nodded into the path of Alec Reid and the inside man shot into the roof of the net from fifteen yards. United were now on a roll and on 35 minutes, Andy Rolland netted United's third with a glorious drive from fifteen yards to give the Tannadice men a commanding 3-1 lead at half time.

The affair grew quite heated in the second half with John Lambie issued with a warning following a wild swing in the direction of Davie Wilson, and Alex Gordon, for Saints, was booked following a bad tackle on Joe Watson. St Johnstone were spurred on and looked the better side as the half progressed, and on 53 minutes, they reduced the deficit through John Connolly, leaving McAlpine helpess with a shot high into the net. Having made a substitution, the visitors chased the equaliser and with a quarter hour remaining it came through Benny Rooney. Despite chances for both sides in a hard fought final spell, the game ended three goals apiece with both sides taking a point from this opening league game.