Inverness CT 1
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Off the field events during the week ensured at least one change would be required by United boss Jackie McNamara for the match with Inverness. Indeed the Manager elected to make no more changes than that. Paul Paton's omission meant that for the first team this season the robust partnership of the Northern Ireland international and John Rankin had to be dismantled. Ryan Dow came into the side for United. Caley were forced into a change with Ryan Christie suspended after receiving his marching orders at St.Mirren. John Hughes installed James Vincent in place of the youngster.

In sunny but blustery conditions, United opened the game brightly. Neat interchange passing between Ciftci, Rankin and Armstrong provided Erskine with an early chance but he struck over the bar from a tight angle. United were causing problems down the left side and Erskine was again on the end of a Dow angled pass but his effort was touched past via Brill's right post. Having had the better of the opening exchanges United were shaken when Caley scored from their first significant attacking move of the game. An arrowed cross from the right was turned past Cierzniak by the outstretched foot of Marley Watkins as he slid in to give his side a tenth minute lead. Inverness, encouraged by their early lead, created a number of chances in the space of a few minutes midway through the opening period. First, Danny Williams fired in a looping effort just over the bar and then the same player had a left footed effort blocked by the head of Dillon. Seconds later it was Tansey who was denied when his low effort was cleared off the line. On the half hour United fought back and an excellent cross from Dillon found Ciftci in the 6 yard box but his head flick floated past the wrong side of the post. Shortly after, Mackay-Steven created a great opportunity for United to level but somehow his drilled cross was diverted past his own post by Meekings.

Just like the first half, the unchanged United side were first to threaten in the second. Only the finger tips of Brill diverted a dangerous Watson cross from reaching an unmarked Mackay-Steven. Fourteen minutes in and McNamara elected to replace his captain, Dillon, with the more forward thinking Townsend at left back. The substitute himself created United's next opening with a deep cross that Ciftci was unlucky to head just over.
Although an open game, both sides were struggling to create any clear goal scoring opportunities. It was therefore no surprise when McNamara opted to utilise his remaining subs in a bid to turn the game. Midway through the second half, Bilate replaced Armstrong and Spittal took Watson's place at right back. With the change in personnel United began to assert pressure on the Caley rear-guard but the hosts defended well. As the match drew closer to full time, the standard of play deteriorated and chances were at a premium. However, with five minutes to go Danny Williams came close with a low cross that was deflected just wide. Then Vincent found himself clear through on goal but as Cierzniak raced out, the defender squirmed his shot narrowly past the post.

Manager's Comment:
"A lot of things need to improve - it starts with people wanting the ball and taking responsibility, demanding it off each other as a team."

Fan's Comment:
"After a lively start we just retracted into our shell and looked more like a team at threat of relegation than one fighting for top spot. The players looked nervous, a yard of the pace and were very quiet. It feels like the team is ready to be freshened up with some fringe players."

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