St Johnstone 3
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premiership)

Match Report

It was a much changed United line up for the visit to Perth to play St Johnstone. The only survivors from the defeat to St Mirren were Cierzniak, Andrew Robertson and Paul Paton. Coming into the starting eleven were Wilson, Butcher, Dillon, Gomis, Erskine, Dow, Goodwillie and Graham.

The game started slowly in front of a huge travelling support. With eleven minutes gone, Edwards fired in a shot that was well saved by Cierzniak. Four minutes later Wotherspoon sent in a corner which Wright connected with first time but the ball flew over the top. The game sparked into life on the 18 minute mark. Dillon headed back to his goalkeeper, Stevie May stole in and went down in the box after a challenge with Butcher. To United’s disgust he was sent off and Stevie May himself converted the spot kick to give the Saints the lead. Seven minutes later the lead was almost doubled but Robertson did well to clear Wotherspoon’s header off the line. United tried to hit back and went close when Dow shot into the side netting. Davidson then tested Cierzniak again before a mad goalmouth scramble was cleared to safety by United. Just after the half hour mark United were inches from levelling. Dow won a free kick which Wilson took and his direct free kick just missed the target. Towards the end of the half McDonald shot over from the edge of the area and Souttar did well to block a shot from May.

Eight minutes after the break United went close to equalising when a strong run and shot from Erskine flew just over. Three minutes later United fell further behind. Stevie May broke in from the left and slotted past Cierzniak to score his second goal of the afternoon. United were not giving up and a great cross from Robertson saw Wright almost turn the ball into his own net. In an attempt to come back into the game Mackay-Steven and Armstrong then came on for Dow and Erskine. Wilson then swung in a great free kick that Graham headed over the crossbar. May then should have had his hat trick when he failed to connect with a Hasselbaink cross. With four minutes to go Stevie May did score his third when Edwards teed him up and he fired past the helpless Cierzniak. In the dying seconds it was almost four when a downward header from Wright was well saved by United’s keeper.