Match winner Zac Sapsford believes that his disallowed goal was wrongfully ruled out and admitted that United would have conceded a third last campaign.
Sapsford thought he had put United ahead just after the hour mark, but VAR intervened and ruled the goal out, and the Aussie believes that VAR got that decision wrong.
Sapsford said: “Yeah, I think so. When I scored it, I didn’t even think twice about it, but clearly, they saw something, and I don’t believe Bennie’s interfering, but they’ve made that decision. I don’t think it’s the right one, but that’s what they do. We can’t change that now, so yeah, just happy we ended up winning the game, and that’s all that matters.
On what was going through his head after his disallowed goal: “All sorts of things go through your head, but I think, yeah, I was disappointed, but then I was happy that Dylan (Tait) was able to put it on a plate for me and to get that header in was a nice feeling.
On combing the performance and the result: “Yeah, you’re right, I think first it’s the result, and then, as an attacking player myself, if you can score within that good result, it’s a bonus, and tonight that’s exactly what happened, so we’re all happy.
The Aussie striker, as well as chipping in with a goal, had to also contribute and play his part defensively and admitted that it was hard work.
Sapsford stated: “That’s also down to the way Aberdeen are playing, just a lot of long balls and working off second balls, so you’re going forward to press the keeper or the centre backs, and they’re launching it forward, and then you’re having to get back in, so it’s just a lot of work for everyone, but we worked as a team, and that worked out tonight.
On taking his chance from the start: “That’s how football works; if you’re given the chance to play in your position, you’ve got to take that with both hands, and that’s what I tried to do tonight, and hopefully it continues.
On whether he believed he would get an opportunity within the game: “The opportunities we’re creating, you’ve seen that in previous games, we’ve lacked that end product or that last touch, but tonight we did that, and we get the result.
On United’s solid run of form: “Yeah, I think so. We’ve obviously won three of our last four; we haven’t lost in our last four, so that’s a great run of form; we just need to keep that going.
United moved up to fourth following their win on Saturday, but Sapsford believes it’s too early to worry about the league table and is fully focused on Wednesday night’s test.
“We don’t need to worry about that at the moment; it’s too early. Just focus on what’s ahead of us, and that’s Celtic on Wednesday night, so that’s what we’re focused on and try and get a good result there.
On the systemic changes: “I think there’s a few things. I think defensively we’ve been really, really solid; we conceded two goals tonight, but you look at that last ten-minute period, the way we defended our box was incredible, and I think, honestly, looking back to last season, not blaming anyone, I think as a team, I see us conceding in those last ten minutes, but this season we wouldn’t and haven’t, so it’s really positive going into other games knowing you’ve got that confidence in each other and just going forward as well, the chances we create, really good, and it’s just whether we take them or not.”
