Partick Th 0
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premiership)

Match Report

United's opening match of the season took place at Firhill against newly-promoted Partick Thistle, picking up a point in their first ever game under the new SPFL Premiership. There were competitive debuts for six of Jackie McNamara's new signings, as well as a return to league action in a United shirt for David Goodwillie. The kick off time of 7.45pm on a Friday night did not deter a travelling support of almost 3,000 as the Arabs in attendance turned out to back their team.

In the first half, chances fell to both sides; Ryan Gauld coming close in the opening stages following an angled ball from Nadir Ciftci, the diminutive midfielder forcing Scott Fox to save. Partick hit back moments after with a series of corners, but all were handled by the United defence. Goodwillie and Paton both ensured Fox had a busy evening by forcing the Thistle stopper into action, and the former nearly found the net shortly after when Andrew Robertson played the ball into space only for Goodwillie to shoot wide. In goal for United, Radoslaw Cierzniak did well to react to a deflected cross from James Craigen as the first half drew to a close.

The manager introduces further attacking options during the second has, as Gary Mackay-Steven was joined by Brian Graham and former Partick man Chris Erskine in coming off the bench. Shots-wise, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair was unlucky for Partick in shooting over the bar, while Ryan Dow's chip over Fox suffered the same fate. It seemed to be all about the substitutes as Erskine forced a save from Fox, while John Baird, the former Dundee man, tested Cierzniak with a header. A penalty shout for Partick was waved away following a Calum Butcher tackle shortly after. The game was closed out with four minutes of injury time, as Baird once again narrowly missed out on a chance for the winner. Stuart Bannigan too, offered up a strike which Cierzniak had to save, but all told, the game ended 0-0.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page