United pay price for poor first half

HAMILTON ACCIES 1 DUNDEE UNITED 0

A much-improved second half performance wasn’t enough for Dundee United to avoid defeat at New Douglas Park in their opening Reserve Cup group game.

The home side dominated the first half and got the only goal of the game. United had the greater number of chances in a much more even second period but couldn’t fashion a leveller.

The visitors almost conceded a goal in the third minute when a stray back pass was intercepted enabling Mickel Miller to fire in a shot and with Deniz out of his goal, Ross Graham came to the rescue with a great goal-line block.

Hamilton deservedly took the lead on 31 minutes, Miller squeezing the ball in from 12 yards.

Rarely seen as an attacking force in the first half, the Tangerines made two changes at the interval, bringing on teenagers Lewis Fraser and Archie Meekison for Adam King and Cammy Smith.

United had their first effort on target on 52 minutes, but Scott Banks’ drive from 22 yards was saved by the keeper at his near post.

On the hour mark, Declan Glass made a surging run from midfield before rifling a 25-yarder just past and then Banks saw a low shot saved with 13 minutes left.

Two minutes later, Accies’Andy Winter clattered a shot off the post.

Dundee United: Deniz, McArthur, Sorple, P Watson (Cooney 61), Graham, King (Fraser 46), Banks, Glass (Neilson 61), M Smith, C Smith (Meekison 46), Chalmers (D Watson 81). Subs not used: Donaldson, Jones.