by Marc Roseblade
It was Scottish Cup Final day at Hampden Park on Saturday with Premier league side Dundee United squaring off against surprise 1st division package Ross County. The highlanders had defeated Glasgow Celtic amid much jubilation in the semi final with a 2 nil victory last month.
Todays match wasn’t going to have the joyous end to it that the Dingwall side had become accustomed to in the Scottish cup this season. With 20′000 Ross County fans & 27′000 Dundee United fans filling the national stadium, it was a colourful day all around, not just because the sun was splitting the sky but due to the Orange & Blue strips, flags, banners and balloons on show in the stadium. It truly was a cup final day.
Dundee United who were led out by Lee Wilkie who has had to retire at the age of 29 due to injury, were the more dominant side throughout the match and Ross County couldn’t emulate the feat from the previous round and struggled against a big strong physical Tannadice side.
Ex Ayr United player, Craig Conway was terrorising the Ross County defence at every opportunity and burst down the wing with terrifying frequency. It took both teams a while though to achieve anything like an attempt on goal but as the 1st half neared its end, the Dundee side started to pile on the pressure with numerous chances but didn’t manage that all important opening breakthrough.
On the hour, the deadlock was broken. A forward lob was about to bounce precariously over the Ross County defence with the Dundee United attackers poised to spring and the Ross County keeper decided to run from his area and clear the ball with the only part of his body that wouldn’t commit a foul, his head, unfortutunately for him, he’s a goalkeeper not a defender and thats why keepers should not head the ball. His clearance was weak and it landed at Goodwillies feet, the arab players quick reflexes and high confidence meant he could try an ambitious lob from 25yards out and it cleared every one of the back rushing Staggies defenders and bounced into the net with the accuracy of a laser guided cruise missile. Absolutely fantastic goal from the youngster and it gave his side a deserved lead.
Conway was soon to get the 1st of his double of the afternoon with a tremendous solo effort that took him from the midfield area, round several defenders and eventually slotted it under the onrushing County keeper. Another great united goal and they were cruising at this point.
The match was finished as a competition as Ross County weren’t going to score 3 times to win this match but the only team that would score today were wearing tangerine and Conway added his 2nd and Uniteds 3rd before the end.
Dundee United had eventually won their 2nd Scottish cup final and on yesterday’s showing, they deserved it. Credit has to be given to Ross County for the effort they put in but the plaudits will go to the Tannadice side and deservably so.
Once again Dundee United showed great respect for their injured player, Lee Wilkie by allowing him to walk up to the podium with Andy Webster to lift the trophy.
You can’t buy that sort of respect!
About the Author: Marc Roseblade is ONELOVE FC’s Scottish Football correspondent. Check out his blog!
