Life's a Beach For Arabs!

There was simply no way through for the United Youngsters!

Dundee United 1 - 3 Kilmarnock
(SPL Under 21 Match - Tannadice, 14th April 2003, 7.00pm Kick Off)

On a pitch living up to the folklore that gave the Arabs their nickname, a strong Kilmarnock side dominated a youthful United outfit to run out comfortable winners. Killie included in their starting eleven no less than nine players with first team experience and were able to adapt to the beach-like conditions much better than the home side.

Garry Hay in particular had an impressive 90 minutes, and it was his cross from a free-kick on 11 min that created the first opening for the visitors. Unfortunately though Gilroy contrived to head wide unchallenged from all of 6 yards. After 20 minutes, and against the run of play, Dundee Utd took the lead, Coyle heading an attempted clearance passed his own keeper.

Killie continued to press Utd back in their own half, and it was Hay again who set up Gilroy on the edge of the area. Once again though the young midfielder was off target with a powerful strike. Good work again from Hay and Murray gave Killie their first corner of the match in 39 minutes from which they equalized. Gilroy's deep ball ended up at the feet of Jaconelli who did well to cross low into the box for Boyd to bang home from close range.

Just before half-time the struggling Coyle was replaced by Hammill. The last chance of the half again fell to Killie with Canning's 18 yard strike forcing a good save from Jarvie in the Utd goal.

Early in the second half Hay started and finished the move that put Killie into the lead. A powerful run led up to a neat one-two with Boyd on the edge of the box ending with the Killie left-back smacking a volley past the Utd keeper. The Arabs only other attempt on goal came in 65 min with Chiarini bringing out a neat save from Stewart from about 18yds.

Immediately after, though, Killie almost stretched their lead with an excellent cross from Murray being headed just over from the advancing Dillon. The third goal did arrive however after 70 min from the penalty spot after the on-rushing Jaconelli was up-ended by Jarvie. The Utd keeper managed to injure himself in the process and still looked somewhat dazed as Boyd cracked the spot-kick passed him. 

Two further chances fell to Killie before the end, both conjured up by man-of-the-match Garry Hay. First another good run ended with him being fouled about 20 yards from goal. Disappointingly Boyd smashed the resultant free-kick high over the bar. And then a couple of minutes before time it was Hay again putting in an excellent deep ball to the feet of Boyd. The big striker though just failed to control the ball and it was cleared before he had a chance to claim his hat-trick.

Dundee Utd: Jarvie , Allum, Ogunmade (McMillan 84), McCunnie, Gartland, Hardie, Holmes (Davidson 69), Chiarini, McGowan (O'Donnell 62), Conway, Carson.
Subs (not used): Bruce, Bell. 

Kilmarnock: Stewart, Coyle (Hammill 39), Dillon , Canning, McLaughlin, Hay, Gilroy (Boyle 66), Jaconelli (Naismith 75), Boyd, Di Giacomo, Murray.
Subs (not used): Samson, McGlinchey.

Kilmarnock MOTM: Garry Hay

Match report courtesy of Dave Hannah