Dundee Utd v Aberdeen Match Report

Aberdeen came away with nothing from Tannadice on Saturday letting the fans down once gain as they looked to secure that last top six spot but failed. Dundee Utd dominated the match broken up by a few Dons chances here and there but Aberdeen did certainly not deserve to win the game. It was a shame that Craig Brown's managerial career had to end in a defeat, and a poor performance from Aberdeen. The reins have now been handed over to Derek McIness and let us hope he brings us the success we crave.

The first half was not an exciting one, deprived of any real chances and shots at goal. However Aberdeen had the first half chance of the match when Hayes produced an inswinging freekick that Anderson latched onto at the back post, he could only head wide though. Soon after Aberdeen ha a mix up at the back. Langfield came rushing out to get the ball however Anderson got in his way. The mistake allowed the youngster Gauld in but he poked the shot wide of the goal. A massive let off for Aberdeen. That concluded the dull affair of the first half.

The news seemed to have reached the players that Dundee were beating Kilmarnock at half time and both teams came out and looked to have more energy and buzz about them. McGinn headed the ball towards goal but it was a comfortable save for the Utd keeper as he could not generate enough power to trouble him.  Another let off for the Dons followed, McKay-Steven was through on goal after Jack and Shaughnessy tackled each other, but McKay-Steven seemed to delay the shot, and Mark Reynolds rushed across to challenge the Utd player before he could pull the trigger. Dundee Utd were beginning to take hol of the match now andanother corner saw them head only inches wide of the target. The Aberdeen defence was nowhere to be seen. Soon after Flood produced a fantastic whipping cross into the Aberdeen box, Watson met it with his head and the shot looked to be going in, but Langfield managed to claw the ball away from the line just in time. On about the 60th minute Vernon found himslf with possession inside the Utd box, Rankin came rushing in and appeared to have dragged vernon to the floor, penalty appeals rang out from the Aberdeen support, but th referee waved play on. Aberdeen were still only in the game thanks to a wonderfull performance from Langfield and yet again he came up with the goods as he saved another header from point blanc range, and got back to his feet quickly to deny Utd once again. As time wore on both teams were pushing for the win, Aberdeen created another chance of theor own, Rory Fallon was in space about 25 yards from goal, he turned and thundered a dipping shot in on goal. The Utd keeper was equal to it and tipped it past the post for an Aberdeen corner.In the last 10 seconds of the match Aberdeen were on the break, the ball was past to Vernon out wide and for some reason he ran back woth the ball, evebtuall he had been boxed in and frantically tried to get rid of the ball, instead he lost posession and the ball was crossed to an unmarked Boulding at the back post, from there it was the easy task of slotting the ball home past Langfield.

Dundee Utd 1-0 Aberdeen

Dundee United

• 01 Cierzniak
• 02 Dillon
• 03 Douglas
• 12 Watson Booked
• 44 Souttar Booked
• 06 Flood
• 08 Rankin (Boulding - 72' )
• 14 Millar
• 38 Gauld
• 09 Daly
• 15 Gardyne (Mackay-Steven - 53' )

Substitutes

• 31 Anderson
• 17 Tornstrand
• 33 Johnston
• 10 Ryan
• 11 Mackay-Steven
• 18 Dow
• 19 Boulding

Aberdeen

• 01 Langfield
• 02 Jack
• 04 Anderson
• 17 Naysmith
• 22 Reynolds
• 23 Shaughnessy (Pawlett - 85' )
• 05 Rae Booked
• 10 McGinn
• 11 Hayes (Low - 70' )
• 09 Vernon
• 21 Magennis (Fallon - 78' )

Substitutes

• 20 Twardzik
• 13 Low
• 08 Milsom
• 15 Pawlett
• 18 Hughes
• 14 Fallon
• 38 Smith