United lose out to clinical Celtic

Celtic’s clinical second-half finishing ended the Tangerines’ interest in the SFA Youth Cup at Lennoxtown on Saturday.

Courtesy of three terrific stops by keeper Brett Long, the Tannadice side looked as though they would go in level at the break only for the home side’s pressure to tell a minute from half-time when Mark Hill swept home from outside the box.

United had countered with some good approach play on the break, but the final ball let them down.

However, it was a controversial second goal that really knocked the stuffing out of the Terrors.

The floodgates soon opened, though, when Kerr nodded in Celtic’s second when he met a corner from Hill with a glancing header that crept over the line before Long could get it to safety.

Midway through the second period, Brad Smith cleared Josh Kerr’s glancing header off the line with his thigh. Much to the visitors’ consternation a goal was given, despite appeals that the ball had crossed the line.

That opened the floodgates and further goals from Mikey Johnston and a PJ Crossan double in the last 18 minutes sealed the victory.

Dundee United: Long, Ritchie, Reekie, Daily, Hornby, Allardice, B Smith, Taylor (Mcmeekin 70), Appere (Chalmers 70), Coote (Garden 43), M Smith. Sub not used: Donaldson.