UNITED EARN THREE POINTS AND LEAP ABOVE LIVI

Last updated : 13 November 2004 By United Mad

Dundee United today climbed off the bottom of the SPL after a narrow 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Livi at Tannadice.

In fairness, it was a scrappy affair, with neither side able to keep the ball for any length of time. Both sides looked edgy, and there were very few chances in the first half for either side, and only one corner, to Livi. Both sides hit the woodwork though. Jim McIntyre looped a shot over McKenzie in the Livingston goal, but the shot bounced off the bar and out. Lilley, ex-United, got on the end of a Richard Brittain corner, but his header also hit the woodwork. Half time, nil-nil, and not a lot to report.

United came out of the blocks fastest in the second half and looked the more threatening side early on, though on 54 minutes Paul Jarvie scooped a goal bound header off the line.

United eventually broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when David McCracken latched on to a Barry Robson corner to give United what was, just, a deserved lead. We held on, and it was three points for United, and a departure from the foot of the table.


United lacked confidence today, understandable after the derby shenanigans last week, and obviously, with our poorish start to the season, the staff and management at United will be, and are, edgy, which is a shame, as we are playing, at times, some reasonable football. The fans, some sections anyway, don’t help, constantly getting on players’ backs. Players need confidence – it helps the side. Whilst most confidence should come from the player and management staff, some comes from the crowd. We need this confidence – please help us. Sure, when we get beat 3-0, boo, when we don’t, encourage. It will help.


We also drew Rangers in the semi of the CIS cup today, a trophy (albeit in a diffferent guise) we have won twice before. The games are not until after the new year, so something to look forward to there.