Youthful United make hard work of swatting Wasps
RAY McKINNON hailed his young guns for shooting down Alloa in the Irn-Bru Cup.
A youthful United side, featuring five teenagers in the starting line-up, eventually saw off a well-organised Wasps side to secure their place in the third round.
But they were made to fight for every scrap – and needed two injury-time goals to secure victory.
For large spells it was a horrendous spectacle.
But United’s boss was satisfied with how his young hopefuls stood up to Jim Goodwin’s steely side.
“These games are designed for the young kids to learn, develop and gain experience,” said McKinnon.
“That’s the only way they’ll get it. Alloa had a very experienced squad today and the young kids did great.
“They’ll take lots from it. It’s an invaluable experience for them and they’ll get another chance in the next round now because we’re through, so it’s all good today.”
Deadline day signing Joe Piggot was the standout amongst United’s youngsters.
The 19-year-old striker, most recently of Rochdale, was a powerful presence for the Tangerines and McKinnon believes even better is to come.
“Joe has hardly trained over the last three months,” said the United gaffer.
“He has played one U-20s game and he lacks fitness. But he’s a big lad, he’s got good movement, he holds it in well, he’s strong and he’ll keep improving – so I’m pleased for Joe today.”
United eventually won through, but it was a slog for players and punters alike.
Alloa had the best – and, in truth, only – chance of a rotten first half when Kevin Cawley was picked out on the penalty spot by Daryll Meggatt.
The completely unmarked Cawley had all the time in the world, but somehow blazed wide after taking a settling touch.
The second half started in a similarly torturous manner, with neither side looking capable of stringing more than two passes together.
But the game finally exploded into a belated form of life on 70 minutes when Alloa captain Andy Graham was adjudged to have bundled United’s Patrick N’Koyi to the ground in the box.
Whistler Willie Collum didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot and N’Koyi was similarly decisive, sending Neil Parry the wrong way.
Alloa bagged an equaliser seven minutes later when Cawley made up for his earlier wastefulness with a welltaken, angled effort across the face of United stopper Deniz Mehmet from 16 yards.
The nature of the game meant the prospect of extra-time loomed dreadfully over Tannadice.
But United’s Paul McMullan staged an injury-time mercy mission with a well-taken effort from the edge of the area, before Willo Flood capped United’s victory with a right-footed rasper from 20 yards.