Dundee Utd 2
Aberdeen 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

This was decidedly not one of the classic encounters between the two great East coast rivals. Having said that Tannadice fans wouldn't quibble at the outcome which provided a perfect start to the gruelling league programme. Little of consequence took place in the early stages although we opened brightly. Then Richard Gough, the centre of all the pre-match publicity, once again demonstrated the valuable asset he is. Dave Narey floated over a free-kick which Richard rose to head past Leighton's outstretched fingers.

Play ebbed and flowed after the interval with neither side seriously threatening either keeper, however, we did strike again after 73 minutes. Eamonn Bannon supplied Richard Gough out on the right and his perfect cross was headed strongly past Leighton by Ian Redford.

The Dons finally pierced the United rearguard two minutes from time when Billy Stark dived full length to head a Joe Miller cross past Billy Thomson, but overall the absence of Miller, Bett and McDougall from the start plus the loss of Neil Simpson after 7 minutes of play, proved too great a burden even for the resolute Northerners.