Dundee Utd 0
Hamilton 0
League (Premiership Playoff Final 1st Leg)

Match Report

Having dispensed with Greenock Morton and Falkirk in the Premiership Play-off Quarter and Semi-Finals respectively, all that now stood between Dundee United and promotion to the top flight was a two legged tie against Hamilton Accies. For the first leg at Tannadice, Ray McKinnon made no changes to the starting line-up which had emerged victorious at the Falkirk Stadium the previous Friday although there were two changes on the bench with Ali Coote replacing the injured Scott Fraser and Lewis Toshney replacing Scott Allardice. Hamilton Accies were forced into one change from the side which had thumped Dundee 4-0 on Saturday with club captain Mickey Devlin ruled out for the rest of the season through injury and Massimo Donati replacing him in the starting line-up.

After a cagey start, in which the lineman’s flag halted a half chance for both teams, it was Hamilton who could have opened the scoring on ten minutes. Breaking from a United corner, Bingham intercepted Kuate’s pass and burst down the right wing. His cross was perfect for Daniel Redmond who took a fresh air swipe at the ball from five yards and Bell gratefully gathered. Three minutes later it was Bingham’s turn to pass up a glorious chance. After outpacing Edjenguele his shot across goal from 12 yards was excellently blocked by the feet of Bell in the United goal. A minute later United registered their first shot on target however Murray’s near post drive was easily gathered by Matthews at his near post. A comedic collision between Gogic and Donati almost resulted in Mikkelsen being one on one with Matthews however, after Skondras got a toe on the ball, Matthews in the Hamilton goal was able to race from his area and clear the ball for a throw in ahead of Tony Andreu. On 30 minutes the United fans were screaming for a penalty when Murray went down under Donati’s challenge however referee Steven McLean saw things differently and booked the United forward. A couple of good interceptions by the Hamilton defence and a series of Hamilton corners which were easily dealt with was all the rest of the first half had to offer.

Moments after the restart United should have taken the lead. In a 3 on 1 situation Spittal, Mikkelsen and Murray bore down on the Hamilton goal. Spittal feed Murray hoping for the 1-2 however the United frontman crashed a shot towards goal which was blocked and cleared for a corner. On 55 minutes McKinnon made his first change with Charlie Telfer replacing the disciplined Kuate and it was from Telfer’s corner United nearly opened the scoring. Thomas Mikkeleon rose highest but his goal bound header was clawed away by Matthews in the Hamilton goal. Durnan was the next to have an effort on goal however after the ball breaking to high 15 yards out, he couldn’t keep his effort down. The entire complexion of the game changed with a sending off on 77 minutes. As Murray arrived at the ball ahead of McCann, he was clearly brought down for a penalty however this was an opinion not shared by the officials and Murray was giving his second caution for simulation. Despite being down to ten men United looked the more likely to break the deadlock however never managed to create another clear-cut chance to do so.

Match report written by Tommy McKay