Dundee Utd 2
Hibernian 1
Scottish Cup (Semi Final)

Match Report

Derek McInnes and Grant Brebner were reinstated to the starting line-up as Gordon Chisholm sought to make right last week’s last minute defeat at the hands of today’s opponents. Much was made of the superior numbers of Hibees that would be at Hampden but once again, the Arab support had a great day, outsinging their Leith counterparts throughout the 90 minutes and inspiring their team to a memorable Result.

Tony Mowbray’s team dominated the opening exchanges and in 10 minutes, Riordan blazed over when he should at least have hit the target. United started to show that they were not there to make up the numbers and good interplay on the right between Wilson and Duff allowed Stevie Crawford to cross but the ball was cleared at the back post to prevent the onrushing Robson from testing the keeper. United had a shout for a penalty on the half hour when a Robson cross seemed to come off a defender’s arm and from the resulting break, O’Connor went down easily under a challenge from Ritchie that saw the defender booked.

The restart saw United take a grip of the opening encounters and a goalward Robson effort from the edge of the box was blocked with the Hibs defender having little idea as to what an important intervention he had made. Hibs then took the lead that their possession had probably merited but again United felt aggrieved when Robson was judged to have impeded Shiels in the box. The referee, in line with the rest of his afternoon, was having none of the protests and Riordan sent Bullock the wrong way from the spot. The Hibs support awoke at being ahead but was soon to be well and truly silenced by a remarkable turnaround in the last 20 minutes. United equalised with a great move that saw Kerr play in Barry Robson whose shot cum cross was side footed home from 5 yards by Jim McIntyre. United continued their ascendancy and looked nothing like that side that allowed Hibs to dominate the first hour of the match. McIntyre and Samuel both went close with Hibs being reduced to long balls into the United box. United had the game by the scruff of the neck Jason Scotland rifled home from 25 yards. It looked as though there was only going to be one winner as United continued to press forward and the Hibs defence struggled to cope. Barry Robson struck the bar direct from a corner as United finished the game in style! By the time that the referee had blown his whistle after the three minutes of added time, the Hibees were on their way home and the Arabs were dancing for joy.