Connolly grabs his big chance on first start in four months
Good things come to those who wait and Mark Connolly admitted being patient paid off after scoring the winner on his first Dundee United start in more than four months.
The 28-year-old centreback has endured a frustrating season since tearing his hamstring in the first Dundee derby of the campaign in late August.
A period of two months on the sidelines followed but after a string of short substitute appearances, Tangerines boss Robbie Neilson handed the Irishman his chance at Palmerston.
While Connolly did not reach the finishing line, cramp forced him off in the closing stages, he did make the difference, heading home a Nicky Clark corner to earn United a tenth win in 11 matches.
“I spoke to the manager and understood the situation,” he said. “All I could do was bide my time. I looked after myself fitness-wise, and just waited for my chance. I’ve come in and feel I’ve done okay and got a goal as well, which was nice.
“It’s been frustrating but brilliant because we’ve been getting results and I’m delighted we got the win. I thought whenever I get my chance, I’ve got to take it.”
United’s last defeat was at Queen of the South’s hands in October so Saturday’s trip would have been made with some trepidation, despite the Tangerines’ 14-point lead at the top. In the end, it was a contest of few chances but the key moment arrived early in the second half when Connolly nodded Clark’s corner into the net to break his United duck.
“Ifeellikeiamquiteaggressive from set-pieces and Clarky’s delivery was excellent,” he said. “Some of the deliverieshehasbeenputting in have been fantastic.
“We were sitting in the dressing room before the game and he looked at me and said, ‘get on one of these today’. I had a few headers and thankfully that one came off.”
Queen of the South manager Allan Johnston expressed displeasure with some of United’s game-management tactics and tardiness in the second half, but Connolly insisted his side had nothing to feel bad about.
“You’ve got to be streetwise,” Connolly added. “You’ve got to do whatever you can to win this league. We were here to do a job, get three points and go back up the road.”
The afternoon might have turned out differently if Jack Hamilton, the on-loan Livingston striker, had converted Stephen Dobbie’s low cross from close range just before half-time.
As it was, Hamilton’s shot inadvertently struck Paul Watson on the line with relieved United keeper Benjamin Siegrist collapsing on top of the loose ball.
“I just tried to get a shot in but unfortunately there were too many bodies on the line,” said 19-year-old Hamilton. “You just have to keep on going after that but I didn’t get too many chances in the second half.”