Dundee Utd 1
Hibernian 4
League (SPL)

Match Report

around the park but, to their credit, neither side seemed to let it dominate proceedings.

James Grady had recovered from his viral infection to get a place on the bench but Karim Kerkar was the latest victim of the virus and missed out altogether. Paul Ritchie was also a pre match doubt but played from the start.

The game started briskly with both teams seemingly keen to test the others resolve and it was United who got off to a dream start when Jason Scotland took a pass from Derek McInnes and lashed an unstoppable shot into the top comer of the net from a tight angle with only 7 minutes on the clock.

Sadly, the lead was short lived and only 4 minutes later, Hibs were level. Alen Orman showed great determination to chase a long ball into the corner and his cross was bundled in by Riordan after indecision left the United defenders all failing to attack the ball.

United responded well and looked eager to regain the lead with Brebner going close but once again a moment of defensive slackness was to cost us dear. United pushed out looking to catch Hibs offside but a chipped pass found Orman in space and as he controlled the ball on his chest, O’Connor was on hand to smash the ball into the net past Bullock who had been left totally exposed.

United continued to try and get back into the game and as the half came to close, Ritchie played a good ball into space for Robson to run onto and his cutback was met on the turn by Jim McIntyre but his shot clipped the bar with the keeper well beaten.

The second half started with Hibs looking to maintain and increase their lead but United seemed determined not to allow them to have things all their own way. McIntyre went close from a corner and Barry Robson brought a good save from Brown direct from a corner.

Hibs broke upfield and from a corner the United defence failed to clear the ball convincingly and another defensive disaster proved to be United’s undoing again. A ball that appeared to be going nowhere was knocked back across goal by Jim McIntyre. This wrong footed the goalkeeper and defenders alike and Alen Orman dived low to put the ball in the net.

United boss Ian McCall threw caution to the wind and made attacking substitutions.It seemed almost as if the team took on a 4-2-4 formation. All these efforts were in vain as Hibs scored again in 80 minutes. As United pushed forward again, Robson lost the ball needlessly in his own half. Paul Ritchie and Alan Archibald were both beaten to the ball by Whittaker who played a ball through to substitute Sam Morrow who beat Bullock with ease.

The United support headed for the exits as the full time whistle neared and the team left the field somewhat disconsolate, in stark contrast to the travelling support.

United started the game well and failed to capitalise on their early lead. The scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors but United contributed to this by some horrific defensive mistakes .