Shank land has united in east end dreamland
A virtuoso first- half display from Dundee United goal machine Lawrence Shankland proved to be the foundation for a comfortable victory over a disappointing Dunfermline side at East End Park.
The win cements the Tannadice men’s position at the top of the Championship table with maximum points from their first three games.
Free-scoring Shankland netted twice before the interval to take his goal tally for the season to nine in just seven games, although his missed penalty late in the game took some of the veneer away from what was a highly polished individual performance. The summer acquisition of the striker from Ayr United could well prove to be the Tannadice side’s trump card as they try to find that elusive route back to the top flight at the fourth time of asking. “I knew what Lawrence could offer,” said delighted United manager Robbie Neilson afterwards, “and I tried all summer to get him. When I got the phone call to say he was coming, I was delighted.
“I knew that if we get the ball to him, then nine times out of ten its going to end up in the back of the net, and that’s what happened today.
“We need to make sure we continue to supply him and to get goals from other areas of the team as well.
“It could have been more comfortable today as we had some good chances in the second half but it doesn’t matter – getting three points on the board is the most important thing.”
The tone of the game looked to be set as early as the ninth minute when a shaky clearance from Dunfermline keeper Ryan Scully fell at the feet of United’s Ian Harkes.
The midfielder resisted the temptation to beat Scully from 30 yards out, choosing instead to release Shankland who shot narrowly over the crossbar. Shankland, however, was merely adjusting his sights for the one-man onslaught which followed, displaying his predatory instincts seconds later when he ran on to Paul Mcmullan’s through-ball before sending a low, angular shot beyond Scully.
A succession of stray passes by the home side enabled the Tannadice outfit to assume control of proceedings and they dominated the remainder of the first half, with Scully’s goal being subjected to an unrelenting wave of attacking pressure.
And if Shankland was the man charged with pulling the trigger, it was undoubtedly ex-dunfermline winger Paul Mcmullan who was supplying the ammunition with a succession of powerful runs and dangerous crosses.
The two combined again on the half hour to increase the visitors’ lead. Mcmullan embarked on one of his trademark touchline forays before delivering a pristine cross which provided Shankland with the simple task of steering his header past the overworked Scully.
United’s Swiss keeper, Benny Siegrist, had enjoying a relaxing afternoon in the west Fife sunshine until his gloves were warmed early in the second half by Pars’ substitute Kyle Turner.
But United swiftly regained command and should have extended their lead 14 minutes from time when Shankland’s penalty, awarded after Turner’s handball, was saved by Scully.
“We didn’t pressurise Dundee United enough in the first half, which was disappointing” reflected Dunfermline boss Stevie Crawford. “And we weren’t causing them any problems. “They were sharper and more aggressive than we were.”