Dundee United Sports Club overcame Dundee West 3-1 in the Brought Ferry Café Royale League fixture held at Downfield Park, with two second half strikes proving the difference between the sides.  

 

Dundee West stated brightly with some good interlinking play down the left allowing Brian Harris to deliver a ball across goal which was dealt with effectively by the United defence. 

 

Harris was in the thick of the action moments later, after showing good perseverance to chase down a through ball the striker forced Leighton Quinn in the United goal to make a clearance which rebounded off the attacker and crept wide of the post. 

 

In spite of the early pressure United managed to gain a foothold in the match and created their first chance with a flick on from a throw allowing the onrushing Conner McHugh to fire a shot wide of the post. 

 

Dundee United SC were to regret the missed opportunity as Jaden Ferguson put the home side ahead with a powerful drive from just inside the box, following good movement down the right. Fergusons direct style was causing the United defence all sorts of problems, with a last ditch clearance from Aidan Simpson preventing West from doubling their advantage.  

 

As West pushed for their second of the afternoon they were caught on the counter by United, a good run by Kieran Barron released Reece Muir and the overlapping fullback delivered a cross which rose just beyond the strikers in the box.  

 

Buoyed by the opportunity United continued to press their opponents and Barrons good work was rewarded with the equalizer after being played in on goal by Rory Jagusinski.

Dundee West responded to the equalizer immediately with Luki Kowalski testing Quinn with a powerful effort which the keeper did well to hold at the second attempt. Quinns impressive form continued when he was required to turn away Daniel Berry’s header from Ferguson's delivery.

 

In contrast to the first half it was Dundee United SC which started on the front foot, with Aiden Simpsons advance on goal being halted by an offside call. 

 

United continued to apply pressure in the opposition half but were up against a resolute defence marshalled effectively by Ben Tolmie. 

 

Eventually a chance was fashioned with Daniel Ogilvie bringing out a good stop by Samuel Ross in the West goal. 

 

As United pushed for their second of the afternoon Luke Owens and Connor McHugh were replaced by Steff Mohammed and Deno Fowlis. 

 

The latter almost got on the score sheet following a deep cross by Barron which was just beyond the attacker. However United were to take the lead moments later, good pressure from Ogilvie won the ball in a dangerous area allowing him to knock the ball past the keeper on 59 mins.

 

Faced with the prospect of being behind for the first time in the match, West made inroads into the opposition half fashioning a short comer which was cleared by the United central defender.  

 

As West pushed forward in search of the equalizer, good work on the counter almost led to United’s third of the afternoon with Ryan Young firing wide. 

 

A further good attacking move by Dundee United SC was brought to an end prematurely with the referee deeming Rory Jagusinski to have handled the ball. 

 

The game was settled four minutes from time with Muirs corner flicked on by Fowlis into the path of Ryan Smith who gratefully knocked in United’s third of the afternoon.

 

Ultimately Dundee United SC attacking approach in the second half paid off and were able to overcome a hardworking and well organised Dundee West side.