Livingston 0
Dundee Utd 2
League (SPL)

Match Report

An efficient performance saw Dundee United move five points clear off Livingston today. Goals from Steve Crawford and James Grady sealed the win before half time. Grant Brebner and Billy Dodds both hit the woodwork in the second half as United cantered to victory.

United lined up with Bullock in goal; the back for saw Duff revert to left back, Wilson play right back and Archibald partnered by Mair in the centre. Robson’s and McInnes’s absence meant Dodds was pushing slightly ahead of a midfield three of Brebner, Kerr and Grady. Up front McIntyre and Crawford continued to form the strike force.

Both teams took time to settle and the game appeared very scrappy but in the 14th minute United took the lead. Bullock’s kick was flicked on by McIntyre to Dodds 20 yards out. The veteran’s awareness released Crawford on the left hand channel just inside the box and the Scotland striker unleashed a drive past the stranded McKenzie for the dream start United had wanted. This settled United down and for the rest of the half, although Livi had plenty of possession, it was United who were looking the more composed and dangerous team.

With 4 minutes of the first half remaining, United went 2-0 ahead. A Wilson corner from the right was headed back across goal by Archibald and Grady struck a sweet overhead kick styled volley into the Livi net. The delight with which the players celebrated showed just how much this goal meant to the club. Within 30 seconds a lack of concentration almost let Livi back into the game when a drive from the edge of the United area had most in tangerine thinking it had gone in, although Bullock in the United goal appeared calm as he ushered it past the post.

The expected backlash from Livi never materialised at the start of the second half and for large periods of the second half United were content to play with just McIntyre up front whilst hitting Livi on the break. Despite having the ball for large periods of time, time and again Livi failed to test Bullock – although much credit for this must go to the United defensive line who were all performing superbly. A great move early in the second half almost saw United go three up. Great work between Wilson, Brebner and McIntyre saw the latter lay the ball off to Brebner on the edge of the box and the midfielder’s curling effort cannoned back off the underside of the bar. Livi were showing no fight and as United continued to sit back and pick them off on the counter attack the game appeared over. Out of nowhere Livi were handed a chance to get back into the game when Mair’s slip saw youngster McPake through with just Bullock to beat but his lobbed effort landed on the roof of the net. Going into the last ten minutes United once more appeared to raise their game and a great move down the right saw Dodds unmarked at the back post but his driven header bounced back off the post to safety. As United saw the game out, the team were cheered off the park by the large travelling support.