A ndreu saves United blushes late on
DUNDEE UNITED already know life won’t be easy in the Championship after relegation from the Premiership. Five points from a possible 12 to date proves that.
Now Peterhead of League One demonstrated United would struggle there, too. Certainly on this showing. The team from the Blue Toon took United to extra time and were only four minutes away from a penalty shoot-out.
However, with players collapsing all over the pitch with cramp and injuries, Frenchman Tony Andreu, on loan from Norwich City, found space in the box to head in a Blair Spittal cross.
Even then, the outstanding Rory McAllister, who recently turned down a move to Tannadice, was inches away from a hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the ball. It was that close. Afterwards, United manager Ray McKinnon said: “We’re delighted to be through to the next round of the cup.
“We created plenty chances and played some great football.
“On another day, the score would have been more comfortable.
“I was also delighted our three new signings got some game time.
“The two Dutch boys have not played for months but they’ll be great additions, while Andreu showed he’s going to be a brilliant signing.
“We know he’ll score goals, he knows how to sniff them out.
“We now have a solid squad with good cover all over the park.”
Lack of match fitness of United’s three debutants – Frank van der Struijk, William Edjenguele and Andreu – was all too obvious.
They also had Paul Dixon returning after six weeks out injured.
Even then, this was no excuse for such an insipid showing by United.
They certainly had enough possession but all too often chose the wrong option.
Yet they started well, scoring in the first minute. Charlie Telfer was completely unmarked when Nick van der Velden laid the ball back and, from 30 yards, he took visiting goalkeeper Fraser Hobday by surprise.
Peterhead equalised in their first serious attack when McAllister rifled home an 18-yarder following a through ball from Ryan Baptie.
The home side went ahead again when van der Velden cut in from the left to score with wellplaced shot.
The lead lasted only a minute before McAllister struck again. This time it was with a powerful header from 10 yards following a cross from Leighton McIntosh.
BRECHIN CITY 1 DUNFERMLINE A THLETIC 5
DUNFERMLINE took the initiative and, after 30 seconds, Rhys McCabe had a header deflected over. Gavin Reilly was next to threaten in 15 minutes when he headed wide from a Michael Paton cross.
Dunfermline took the lead in 17 minutes. A Paton corner was headed goalwards by Callum Fordyce and Lee Ashcroft nodded home. The Championship side then added a second goal in 25 minutes when Reilly’s cross forced a clearance from Dougie Hill which deflected off team-mate Willie Dyer for an own goal.
Brechin replied a minute later when Ally Love lashed a volley into the net from 25 yards.
Just before half-time, Nicky Clark played in Andy Geegan and home keeper Graeme Smith did well to save at his feet.
Dunfermline gave themselves some breathing space with a third goal four minutes into the second half. McCabe got away on the left and his cutback was sidefooted home by Paul McMullan.
Brechin refused to give up and in 52 minutes a drive from Love was turned for a corner by David Hutton.
Clark was keen to grab a goal on his Dunfermline debut and, in quick succession, he was denied by Smith, then sent a shot and a header wide of the target.
Dunfermline added No 4 in 80 minutes when Reilly robbed Gareth Rodger and slotted the ball past Smith.
The visitors put icing on the cake with a fifth goal in added time. Kallum Higginbotham swung in a free-kick and Ashcroft headed his second of the game.
United hit the bar three times near the end of the 90 minutes, twice from Simon Murray and then Blair Spittal.
Peterhead threatened, too, even though McAllister was clearly injured. Having used all three subs, their leading scorer had to soldier on.
Peterhead manager Jim McInally left Tannadice in a hurry without comment.
However, he must have been proud of his team who earlier in the season defeated Dundee in the League Cup.