Hopkin can’t see Tangerines not winning league title

DUNDEE UNITED 4 MOTHERWELL 1

Dundee United’s clinical finishing earned them a decisive and deserved victory in yesterday afternoon’s reserve fixture at St Andrews.

With 16 minutes gone United went close to taking the lead when a Logan Chalmers shot hit the post and Morrison kept out Matty Smith’s follow up effort.

But midway through the half the hosts did go in front. The Motherwell defence failed to deal with a cross from the left and Cammy Smith crashed a volley high into the net from 12 yards.

Just after the half-hour mark Louis Appere slotted home the second from close range with visiting protests for offside ignored by the officials.

Just before the break Deniz Mehmet pulled off a tremendous save to keep out a Ross Maciver header.

And the United keeper made two further stunning stops early in the second half before United broke to score a third after 58 minutes. A Chalmers shot was saved by Morrison, but Smith prodded in the rebound for his second.

Motherwell finally found the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

However, they weren’t denied for long because Jamie Semple thundered home a shot from the edge of the area, in-off the bar, on 66 minutes.

But with nine minutes left it was game over.

Darren Watson raced clear on the counter before being brought down in the area by Well’s trialist, and substitute Watson duly tucked away the spot-kick.

Dundee United: Mehmet, Cooney, Jones, Neilson, Graham, King (Fraser 73), Chalmers, Meekison, M Smith (Brown 87), C Smith (D Watson 73), Appere (Mochrie 58). Subs not used: Currid (GK), Banks, Duffy.

Cammy Smith scored twice against Motherwell.