Arbroath 1
Dundee United 3
Forfarshire Cup (First Round)

Match Report

Sean Dillon completed 90 minutes for the first time in almost three months as he captained the Tangerines to victory in the Forfarshire Cup at Gayfield last night.

The Irishman was one of the two overage players allowed in a competition which is now primarily for Under-19s and strolled through the game in which United finished comfortable winners against the enthusiastic hosts.

Indeed, but for a series of fine saves from Lichties keeper Darryl Burns and one and a remarkable goal- line clearance by Lee Gallacher from a Robert Thomson header the scoreline of this fast flowing encounter, United’s winning margin would have been far more emphatic.

The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when a smart exchange of passes between Shane Campbell and Thomson culminated in the latter firing home.

Although Arbroath edged the possession, United looked the more threatening, but their defence was caught napping when Gayfield gaffer Paul Sheerin’s long diagonal cross was headed in by the unchallenged Connor Birse.

However, the second half was only two minutes old when Campbell set up Thomson who sent a first-time effort into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

And in stoppage time, Stuart Armstrong rifled home a 25-yarder to put a better truer reflection on United’s superiority.

Match report written by The Courier