Hibernian 3
Dundee Utd 3 (6-7 on pens)
League Cup (Quarter Final)

Match Report

Manager Jackie McNamara brought some freshness to the team that were defeated in Inverness at the weekend, most notable was the inclusion of youngster Aiden Connolly.

United looked lively from the off and were first on the scoresheet. The move started with a great pass from John Souttar, also drafted into the side. Dow got on the end of the pass and laid the ball onto Chris Erskine who slotted past Mark Oxley from the edge of the penalty area. Gary Mackay-Steven had to leave the pitch to received treatment leaving United down to 10 men. Hibs capitalises when Allan threaded a pass through the left side for Dominique Malonga to fire into the opposite corner. United were still playing with 10 when they restored the lead. Dow squared to Aidan Connolly and the 19-year-old took a touch as Lewis Stevenson lunged into a sliding tackle resulting in the ball flying into the net. Cierzniak then made a great save to keep out a Liam Craig free-kick, having earlier stopped shots from the same player and Cummings.

Early in the second period the home fans were celebrating when Jason Cummings headed home from a Stevenson delivery. However, Hibs immediately fell behind again after poor defending to concede an unnecessary corner. From the corner Gray made a mess of marking Ryan Dow, gifting the midfielder a simple header. Hibs pushed forward again and were rewarded when substitute Matthew Kennedy cut in from the left and his deflected shot looped over Cierzniak.

The game went to extra time but by that point the goal scoring had been exhausted. The closest thing to a miss in the first 12 penalties came when Oxley palmed Stuart Armstrong's effort against the underside of the crossbar. John Rankin was the first man to miss from the spot, firing high over. Matthew Kennedy then failed to convert. Conor Townsend then made it 7-6 on penalties and Cierzniak pulled off a great diving stop to thwart David Gray.

Manager's Comment:
"It is more relief than anything. it was a tiring match and the lads are absolutely drained in the dressing-room, but it is good feeling to have won it."

Fan's Comment:
"The team looked significantly better than the lack lustre performance shown in Inverness. Good to see the goals flowing again but at the expense of our recent solid defending. Great to have a semi final to look forward to in 2015"

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