YFS
Paul Moran’s decisive spot kick in the shootout ensured Dundee United SC U19’s would lift the J Cord Cup at the expense of President’s League rival Dee Club U19’s. Penalties were required to break the deadlock after Dee Club levelled the contest at 3-3 with six minutes remaining. The good weather and what was at stake brought a large crowd to North End Park, while the near perfect playing conditions made a strong argument for anyone in favour of summer football.
The final began in a similar fashion to how it ended with action from the penalty spot. Scott Muir was bundled over in the box and the referee gave Dee Club the chance to take an early lead. Declan Collin stepped up and his effort was brilliantly saved by the outstretched leg of Kieron Craig Coats.
The 'keeper's block would prove crucial as, four minutes later, his side were ahead. Quick movement between Fraser Anderson and Callum King forced a corner with Moran’s delivery knocked in by Max McIntosh. Buoyed after taking the lead United continued to press and were rewarded in the 17th minute with their second of the afternoon. Another pinpoint delivery from a Moran corner found its way to Fraser Anderson who drilled the ball into the net, with a clever dummy by Nathan Tosh helping it on its way.
At this stage of the contest United were in the ascendancy and scored a third in the 19th. A perfect cross by Moran found Callum King who converted with a sublime diving header. One member of the crowd described the goal as being similar to that of Robin van Persie’s against Spain at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Despite going further behind Dee Club displayed good character and almost reduced the deficit through efforts from Ryan Muir and Scott Muir. With both sides pushing forward it seemed inevitable that another goal would come before half time and it went to Dee Club on 34 minutes, a glancing header by Callum Mitchell following a looping free kick from Conan Howett.
Having conceded for the first time in the afternoon United responded well and almost increased their lead on the stroke of the interval, Liam Roddy heading wide from Moran’ s corner.
