Dundee Utd 4
Raith Rovers 2
League (Division One)
Dundee UtdDundee Utd |
4 - 24 - 2 |
Raith RoversRaith Rovers |
 |
League (Division One) |
 |
| Goalscorers | |
|
Ian Mitchell Ian Mitchell (4) Jim Henry (31) Ian Mitchell (43) |
George Falconer Pat Wilson |
| Team Managers | |
|
Jerry Kerr |
Jimmy Millar |
| Starting Eleven | |
|
Don Mackay Jim Cameron Andy Rolland Doug Smith Davie Wilson Jim Henry Ian Mitchell Tommy Dunne Dennis Gillespie Alan Gordon Morris Stevenson |
Bobby Reid Kenny Brown Kenny Lindsay Jimmy Wilson Willie Polland Brian Cooper Pat Wilson Benny McGuire Billy Mitchell Colin Sinclair George Falconer |
| Bench | |
|
Stuart Markland |
Tom Hislop |
| Substitutions | |
| None. | None. |
| Cautions | |
| None. | None. |
| Red Cards | |
| None. | None. |
| Match Officials | |
|
H Dempsey (Glasgow) (Referee) |
Match Report
Ian Mitchell fires home a hat-trick to help United to a 4-2 victory over the Fifers. Mitchell was playing the last game before his transfer to Newcastle United and it took him three minutes to get on the score sheet when Polland drove a clearance against Ian Mitchell who stumbled forward to hammer the ball past Reid from ten yards.
United's continuing pressure told after 31 minutes when Tommy Dunne sent Jim Henry away down the right and the half-back cut inside and let fly with a shot which flew into the net. Three minutes from half-time, United made it three thanks to a fine individual goal by Ian Mitchell as he left two players in his wake before crashing the ball home.
Lindsay brought down Alan Gordon and Ian Mitchell completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to put United four up after 56 minutes. The scoring emphasis shifted to the other end four minutes later when George Falconer drove a spot kick high past Mackay. Raith pulled back another quite out-of-the-blue when Sinclair put Pat Wilson in the clear and the winger made no mistake from 12 yards.
The image shows Mitchell rounding Kenny Brown of Raith to score United's third goal.
Squad Statistics (as at April 18th, 1970)
| 1969-70 | All Time | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Nat |  |
 |
|
|
|
| Don Mackay (GK) | 30 |
|
43 | - | 217 | - |
| Jim Cameron | 23 |
|
40 | - | 102 | - |
| Andy Rolland | 27 |
|
40 | 3 | 114 | 12 |
| Doug Smith | 33 |
|
43 | 1 | 416 | 3 |
| Davie Wilson | 33 |
|
39 | 6 | 107 | 21 |
| Jim Henry | 21 |
|
24 | 2 | 24 | 2 |
| Dennis Gillespie | 34 |
|
43 | 2 | 444 | 114 |
| Morris Stevenson | 27 |
|
6 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Ian Mitchell | 23 |
|
39 | 20 | 271 | 125 |
| Alan Gordon | 25 |
|
31 | 11 | 35 | 11 |
| Tommy Dunne | 23 |
|
6 | - | 10 | - |
League Table (as at April 18th, 1970)
No league table has been added for this season.
Manager's Programme Notes
Our season is nearly at an end but thanks to the appearance of a new competition next season the tight for points will continue right to the last whistle. I refer, of course, to the British Cup and right away let me say this is a fine incentive for clubs who are just out of the championship running and clear of relegation. From our own point of view a Fairs Cup place could be won and as this tourney is listed as third to the other European competitions, it's natural we should aim for the best possible placing. At the moment it would appear Rangers and Hibs are set to appear in this cup next season and the last place has still to be settled. With the one club - one city rule still in operation Hearts look as if they will find a place in the British Cup, no matter how they finish. However, as I said earlier, we want to wind up in the highest possible position and win our way into Europe on merit, not by a ruling which forces another club to stand down.
Of course all the financial issues of the new competition seem to indicate clubs would be much better in the U.K. set-up. In addition it would seem clubs finishing half-way down the table are in line to benefit more than clubs in a more impressive placing. But one must take into account the benefits on our own doorstep such as the League Cup draw and the pools cash which is paid out on a points basis. I would say everything balances out and the thought of participating in a European competition is still attractive. Take it from me, despite all the mutterings about what is lucrative and what is not, Dundee United are aiming for the best league position first and foremost. Today we meet a Raith Rovers side resigned to a spell in the 2nd Division. Despite this prospect I'm sure Jimmy Millar will be keen to use our game as a firm guide to the future and as points are still important to us I'm sure it will be a lively meeting.