Dundee Utd 2
St Johnstone 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

United set about Saints at a terrific rate and Rhodes was in the thick of the action from the very outset of this Tayside derby. In the 13th minute he was beaten by a beautifully executed goal. John O'Neil's neat chip forward found Paddy Connolly and the youngster dragged the ball wide left before clipping the ball into the far corner from an acute angle. It proved to be a fast flowing game with Saints unlucky not to equalise in the 33rd minute when we survived a real goalmouth scramble when a goal appeared inevitable. Indeed Saints were having the better of proceedings as the interval approached, but suddenly found themselves even further behind. It started when Baltacha was caught in possession by Duncan Ferguson. The loose ball was picked up by Paddy Connolly, but his shot hit the inside of the post. The immediate danger looked over, but Grant Johnson pounced to whip the rebound across the face of the goal and John O'Neil was left with a simple tap in to give us the cushion of a two goal interval lead.

Saints almost pegged a goal back immediately after the break when Torfason hammered in a free-kick which Alan Main couldn't hold and the ball flew up and hit the bar before going over. The talking point of the second half came on the hour mark. Duncan Ferguson and John Inglis clashed on the ground which resulted in Inglis being booked and Duncan Ferguson ordered off. The numbers were soon evened up when Moore was also red carded for a second bookable offence. In a late flurry, Brian Welsh headed a net bound Paul Wright shot off the line and Harry Curran hit a post. However, Saints did get a consolation counter when Gunni Torfason headed in a Maskrey cross.