Dundee Utd 4
Clyde 0
League Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

United manager Ian McCall made three personnel changes for this CIS cup match against First Division high flyers Clyde. A change of goalkeeper was enforced, with Lars Hirschfeld making his first competitive start ahead of Tony Bullock, who broke a collar bone during the defeat to Motherwell at the weekend. Also starting were Stuart Duff at right back, which allowed Mark Wilson to move into a more central midfield position, and Andy McLaren, who was being given a chance to impress in place of the unavailable James Grady. Visitors Clyde would have viewed the fixture as an opportunity to compare themselves against SPL opposition, with promotion to the top flight their top priority this season.

It was Clyde who had the first real effort on goal after 5 minutes, when Darren Sheridan shot wide after the ball fell kindly to him at the edge of the box. After a fairly frantic start the Tangerines then settled into a more fluent passing game, with good attacking play coming down both flanks from Barry Robson and Mclaren. The home side’s persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Jim McIntyre scored an excellent opening goal. McLaren whipped in a cross from the right which was brilliantly met with a glancing header from United’s top scorer, ending up in the left corner of the net. The wait for another goal was only temporary however, as Robson deservedly increased United’s advantage in 45 minutes. A McIntyre shot had been deflected by the goalkeeper to the feet of Wilson, who then fed the winger at the edge of the box to angle an unstoppable left foot drive across the Halliwell and into the bottom corner.

Sure enough, it was all United again after the whistle, and McIntyre again went close with a header on 48 minutes. The decisive third goal wasn’t long in arriving, with Brebner celebrating his first goal for the club on 55 minutes. Yet again McLaren beat his defender down the right wing before sending the ball into the danger zone. Robson picked up on the opposite side of the box then cut inside to cross with his right foot. There was a queue of United players looking to meet the cross, however it was Brebner who got there first to head home from 6 yards. McLaren brought out another save from Halliwell shortly after, and then Wilson went even closer with a free kick in 62 minutes, which an inspired goalkeeper tipped expertly round the post. A minute later United were awarded a penalty after Stuart Balmer needlessly handled a Robson corner. Wilson stepped up to send Halliwell the wrong way with penalty, making it 4-0. To their credit, Clyde did force Hirschfeld into two good saves late on, however United were able to finish with a clean sheet for the first time this season.