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Match Report | Dundee United 2-1 Ayr United

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Match Report | Dundee United 2-1 Ayr United

Two superb free kicks secured the points in Tayside.

Dundee United 2 (Babunski 17′, Forbes 68′)

Ayr United 1 (Rus 55′)

5:15 PM Saturday, July 20, 2024

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

Premier Sports Cup Group Stage

Attendance: 2,167

Team news

Jim Goodwin has made three changes to the DUFC XI this afternoon!

Jack Walton, Kevin Holt and Glenn Middleton were all brought in from the start as replacements for Dave Richards, Kai Fotheringham and Ryan Strain, the latter missing through injury.

Our North Macedonian duo were back after impressing midweek, with Kristijan Trapanovski notching two assists and a goal on his home debut.

Vicko Ševelj was the one to take over Strain’s spot at right wing-back as we maintained the same form that paid off in midweek.

Seven DUFC Academy graduates were involved in our match selection.

AN ENCOURAGING START

We came close to scoring in the first four minutes when a dangerous free kick from Babunski was headed onto his own post by George Stanger.

However, our number ten pulled a rabbit out of his hat when he took a free kick from a narrow angle in the 17th minute, but not everyone could follow and it ended up in the far corner!

Babunski was almost involved in the match again when Middleton made a daring pass and cleared the ball, but he was able to send his shot wide with his weaker right foot.

The visitors also had chances when Mark McKenzie forced Walton into a smart save, only for Ben Dempsey to fire wide with ten minutes to go before the referee ended the first half.

Holt nearly doubled our lead with the final kick of the first 45 when the ball fell to him in the 18-yard box. Unfortunately his first attempt curled wide of the post.

UP FOR A FIGHT

The Ayrshire men levelled the game ten minutes after the break when Marco Rus was given the freedom of our defensive half. He shot into the box, cut inside and curled the ball low past Walton into the far corner.

Goodwin responded with three changes: Brandon Forbes, Fotheringham and Thomson replaced Babunski, Trapanovski and Middleton.

We came close three times after that.

Forbes almost had a dream start when a defensive error saw him receive the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but a lack of self-control saw him lift the ball over the bar.

Ferry played excellently and created space for a fierce effort, which was easily saved by Stone, before Forbes curled the ball just wide of the post.

A DEBUT TO REMEMBER

After a thrilling start, Forbes’ moment of glory came just four minutes after his introduction.

A heavy foul by Scott McMann on Moult gave us a free kick in a dangerous area. The 18 year old made no mistake and took aim from 30 yards and his effort sent Stone all over the place – he blasted in off the bar to give us the lead!

A couple of yellow cards in the closing stages made for an exciting match, while two flawless play situations made the difference.

TEAM LINES
Dundee United

Starting line-up: Walton, Holt, Ševelj, Graham, Trapanovski, Moult, Babunski, Ferry, Sibbald (c), Middleton, Gallagher

Substitutes: Richards, Grimshaw, Fotheringham, Thomson, O’Donnell, Watt, Cleall-Harding, Forbes, Stirton

AYR UNITED

Starting line-up: Stone, Reading, Dowds, Dempsey (c), Oakley, Stanger, Henderson, McKenzie, Rus, Watret, McMann

Substitutes: Russell, Mcallister, Musonda, Bryden, Murphy, Hastie, Syla, Tomlinson, McRoberts

THOUGHTS AFTER THE MATCH
NEXT ONE

On Tuesday evening we make the long journey to take on Buckie Thistle in our final match of the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

All tickets for this match must be paid for at the gate. There are no tickets available to purchase online in advance.

Click here for more information!

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