Dundee Utd 0-3 Falkirk: Bairns Terrific at Tannadice to Stay in Top 6
Dundee United 0-3 Falkirk Miller (3’) Kucherenko OG (22’) Graham (63’) In the return from the international break, Dundee Utd hosted Falkirk at The CalForth Construction Arena with only 2 points separating the sides. It was the away side who started with no time to waste, following a fast counter where the ball fell to Calvin Miller, whose shot was parried by Yevhenii Kucherenko in the Utd net; however Miller was able to tap in the rebound to give Falkirk the lead after only 3 minutes played. Falkirk would continue to dominate, and 20 minutes later their second goal would come. Calvin Miller’s in swinging corner was dealt with horribly by the home side as Kucherenko punched the goal into his own net to double The Bairns lead. Dundee Utd would start to show signs of life as Krisztian Kereztes’ effort would fall into the hands of former Dundee keeper Scott Bain, and Amar Fateh’s header would rattle off of the crossbar to give the Dundee side their best chance of the half thus far. Referee Nick Walsh would blow for the halftime whistle as jeers rung around Tannadice giving manager Jim Goodwin much to think about as he prepared his side for a second half comeback. Into the second half Kristijan Trapanovski and Ryan Strain would enter proceedings as former Dundee Utd striker Brian Graham was issued a yellow card for his offence on Keresztes, Walsh was called over to the VAR monitor but decided against brandishing the red card. An hour into the game and Falkirk would once again gain control of the match, as good passing play from back-to-front led to an excellent pass from Calvin Miller to find Graham on the edge of the box, who cleverly rounded Kucherenko and passed the ball into the back of the net for Falkirk’s third goal of the match. This was Graham’s fourth goal of the season in all competitions since joining Falkirk in the summer. Former United captain Ryan Edwards was subbed on for Falkirk to make his debut at his old stomping ground. Falkirk would expertly see out the final 15 minutes of play to secure an important 3 points and rebound from their disappointing draw to Livingston before the break. This win keeps Falkirk in fifth place, 1 point above Motherwell and only 2 points behind Hibernian and Rangers are above them. They next face a trip to Ibrox next Sunday with the opportunity to move above an inconsistent Rangers with victory. After an abject display, Dundee United find themselves out of the top 6 in seventh place, 4 points adrift of Motherwell and 3 points ahead of eighth-placed Aberdeen. They prepare for a trip to Rugby Park as they play Kilmarnock next Saturday evening. Dundee United: Kucherenko; Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes; Stephenson, Sevelj, Sibbald, Ferry; Dolcek, Sapsford, Amar Fatah. Subs: Strain, Trapanovski, Möller, Watters Falkirk: Bain; Adams, Henderson, Allan, Lissah; Tait, Spencer; Wilson, Williams, Miller; Graham. Subs: Cartwright, Edwards, Agyeman, Ross, Oliver Attendance: 9,736
Hibernian 2-0 Dundee: Hibees Record Routine Victory over tame Dundee
Hibernian 2-0 Dundee Bowie (4′) McGrath (59′) Hibs consolidated third place in the Scottish Premiership, scoring a goal in each half to down Dundee in the capital. The home side had the first opening in the 4th minute. Martin Boyle cushioned an inswinging Nicky Cadden cross into the path of Kieron Bowie, but the striker couldn’t connect from close range. Hibs almost walked the ball into the net on the 10-minute mark. McGrath collected Boyle’s cute pass in the 6-yard box, but the Irishman’s shot lacked power, and John McCracken collected it easily. Bowie headed over Mulligan’s cross from close range in the 17th minute as David Gray’s side continued to press. The big striker had started the season with such confidence, including a 40-yard screamer against Partizan Belgrade, but would have been extremely disappointed with this effort Steven Pressley’s side have won just one of their last six league matches, and struggled to create opportunities. Yan Dhanda’s corner kick dropped to Simon Murray in the 23rd minute, but the Dundee captain’s side-footed effort was easily cleared by the Hibs defence. Gray’s side chipped away at the visiting defence. Daniel Barlaser connected sweetly on the edge of the box, but his shot was tipped wide by McCracken. The strikeforce of Boyle and Bowie combined on Dundee’s left moments later, the latter laid off to the onrushing Mulligan, who registered another tame shot on goal. Their dominance paid off on the half-hour mark, thanks to Bowie. Cadden’s low cross was collected by the striker, after shifting the ball to his left foot, he drilled a low strike under McCracken. The goal warranted the home side’s play and was Bowie’s fourth league goal of the season. Their attacking talent continued to grow as the half drew to a close. Chris Cadden’s reverse pass was driven towards goal by the electric Boyle, but his strike could only find the sidenetting. Dundee spent the remainder of the half pinned in their 18-yard box, surviving wave after wave of Hibs attacks. Tony Yogane burst into life moments into the second half. After beating Rocky Bushiri, he cut across the face of the defender and went down in the box. Despite the collision, Steven McLean quickly waved off the Dundee penalty shouts. Hibs wrestled back control of the game. Cadden’s lofted cross was inches away from connecting with Boyle’s head as they searched for a second. Bowie laid off McGrath on the edge of the box after a slack Dundee pass. The midfielder bent a right-footed strike from 25 yards, which ricocheted off the crossbar. The second goal arrived on the hour mark. Mulligan’s powerful run allowed Bowie to cushion a pass into the path of the onrushing McGrath, who drilled home from 8 yards with his right foot. Dundee produced their best chance in the 64th minute. Cameron Congreve’s marauding run and cross from the right was volleyed towards goal by Yogane. But Raphael Sallinger produced a brilliant save, racing across his line to parry away. Hibs raced forward from the resultant turnover. McGrath produced brilliant skill, beating several navy jerseys with quick feet, but the desperate Dees’ defence blocked his shot. The visitors looked destined to pull a goal back with ten minutes remaining. Congreve’s tantalising, inswinging freekick was headed towards goal by Clark Robertson at the backpost, but Sallinger was again on hand to produce a stunning close-range save, and maintain the clean sheet. Despite their chances, the visitors were unable to register a goal and remain in the bottom two of the Scottish Premiership. Hibs remain in third, and victory confirmed their second home win of the season. Hibernian: Sallinger 9 Bushiri 7 Hanley 7 Iredale 7 C Cadden 7 Barlaser 8 Mulligan 9 McGrath 9 N Cadden 8 Boyle 7 Bowie 7 Substitutes: Klidje 6 Obita 6 Levitt 6 Youan 6 Megwa 5 Dundee: McCracken 5 Wright 5 C Robertson 5 Graham 5 Samuels 4 Digby 5 Hamilton 5 Congreve 6 Dhanda 6 Yogane 6 Murray 5 Substitutes: Astley 5 Jones 5 Reilly 5 Attendance: 17,714
