UNITED COAST THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND OF CIS CUP

Goals from Jim McIntyre, Barry Robson, Mark Wilson and Grant Brebner - his first for the United since joining from Hibs – saw United through to the CIS Insurance Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Clyde.

Lars Hirschfield was between the sticks for United, as Tony Bullock, United’s regular keeper is currently sidelined with a broken collarbone and will be out for around 10 weeks. A broken collarbone usually means 6-8 weeks for a footballer, but it’s a different situation for a goalkeeper, as the added physicality of diving around means the bone has to heal 100% before a goalie can resume ‘work’. But I digress, United won 4-0 last night in a game I expected would a lot more hard fought.

Clyde had the early two chances, with McCracken clearing off the line early on after Ian Harty had rounded Hirschfield. The first half hour had little to offer in terms of creative play, but that all changed on 35 minutes when Andy McLaren swung in a cross which cut out the entire Clyde defence and Jim McIntyre, sponsored by the messageboard posters here at United Mad, nodded the cross past a helpless Halliwell in the Clyde goal.

Barry Robson drilled in an 18 yard drive on the stroke of half-time, and that completely knocked the stuffing out of what had been a resilient Clyde FC.

Ten minutes after the restart Brebner latched on to a Robson cross and made it 3-0. This was Brebner’s first goal for Unite, and it’s plain for all to see that he has been a quality signing. It’s a shame we have so many injuries at the moment.

United notched a fourth after being awarded a penalty for handball, which Mark Wilson duly slotted away, though he may have been injured slightly in the celebrations, and was replaced by Billy Dodds.

Samuel and Scotland were brought on together late on to replace McIntyre and McLaren.

All in all it was a very astute performance from United, disposing of the first division leaders in some style. This could have been a tricky tie, but was dealt with professionally, and without fuss. Respect to Clyde who created some early chances, and it certainly looks like they will be in the hunt for promotion to the SPL next season, so I’m sure we’ll see them at Tannadice in the near future.

The one disappointment was the size of the crowd, which was a lowly 2336. United, in fact anyone except Celtic, are not going to win the league this year, and the only chance any of the rest of the league have of any silverware is in the two cups. Also, we are one trophy behind the Dees five (to our four), and a wee league cup win would balance that out nicely!! So come on Arabs – get to these games.

The draw for the next round is, I believe, to be made on Saturday at 5pm.