HIGHLIGHT ON HIS FEET
MARK CONNOLLY joked his defensive partner Mark Reynolds got a nosebleed after hammering home his first goal in three years at his old stomping ground.
But it was Motherwell who were left with the bloody nose thanks to their former hero’s second-half winner which condemned them to a second straight defeat in a bruising opening to the season.
Reynolds raced forward to sweep home a delightful Luke Bolton cross in the 52nd minute for his first goal in Dundee United colours and secure Micky Mellon’s first win as boss.
It was the highlight of a match which saw plenty of effort from both sides but with little end product.
Connolly wasn’t bothered by that as he, together with veteran Reynolds, was a rock at the back for Mellon’s men as they built on the opening day draw with St Johnstone.
The Irishman said: “It’s good to come away from home and get a clean sheet. As defenders, that’s what you work for and it’s even better that Mark went up and got the winner.
“I wondered what he was doing up there, to be honest. He came back with a nosebleed!
“I’m told it’s his first goal in three years, he’s already got our analyst guy putting it on DVD for him.
“To get this result after being disappointed not to beat ten men against St Johnstone last week is terrific. We had a lot of young boys out there today who ran themselves into the ground, the likes of Jamie Robson, Logan Chalmers, Luke Bolton and Louis Appere, and we really did deserve the three points.
“The manager tells them, you give me all you’ve got and you will get a chance.
“They really took that chance here against a team who finished third last season and who will be playing in Europe soon.
“The good thing is that we can only get better, especially as the manager’s bound to bring in a few more new faces that he knows.
“There is going to be a lot of competition to get into that team.”
United were dealt a pre-match blow with a niggling ankle injury ruling Lawrence Shankland out.
Mellon rejigged his side with Louis Appere leading the forward line and teenager Chalmers and Manchester City loanee Bolton either side of him.
Bolton, making his first start since moving to Tannadice, should have opened the scoring after 28 minutes after being slipped in by the impressive Ian Harkes but the winger blazed a shot into the side netting with just Trevor Carson to beat.
Motherwell enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening period but only had a glancing header from Allan Campbell and a long range free-kick from David Turnbull, which was well saved by Benjamin Siegrist, to show for it.
The lack of end product clearly infuriated Stephen Robinson who hooked the ineffective Jake Hastie at half-time and went with two up front as Tony Watt joined Chris Long.
But it was United who took the lead as Reynolds bulged the net at the place where his career began 15 years ago.
Carson’s weak punch from a Peter Pawlett corner was picked up by Bolton wide on the right and his cross was measured perfectly for the on-rushing Reynolds to half-volley sweetly high into the net.
Long should have levelled shortly after but he headed over the bar from just six yards.
Well were having little joy against a resolute United backline well marshalled by goal hero Reynolds and the imposing Connolly.
United almost doubled their lead when substitute Dillon Powers’ fizzing 20-yard drive was brilliantly turned on to the bar by Carson.
Motherwell thought they had levelled with two minutes to go when Jordan White headed home fellow
Connolly says pal Mark had a nosebleed after goal run but he’s got rare strike on DVD already
sub Jermain Hylton’s cross but ref Steven McLean chalked the goal off for a push.
The defeat means Well have now won just one of their last 10 league matches stretching back to January, worrying form for the Steelmen as they prepare for a foray into Europe.
Connolly and Reynolds were the standouts in an excellent win for United which sets them up nicely for tomorrow night’s meeting with Hibs at Tannadice.
The Irishman knows they’ll both need to be on top of their game to keep their place after Mellon signed another defender with Ryan Edwards arriving from Blackpool last week.
Connolly said: “We knew we needed one, but personally Mark and I both want competition.
“The manager’s brought in Ryan and he will be a good signing. I’ve played against him on numerous occasions and he’s a good guy as well as being a good defender.
“He gives us options and now it’s down to me and Mark to be on our toes and to work as hard as we have from the day we came in.
“If one day it changes and either of us is out we just need to be ready for the time we come back in.”