Tony Docherty was in the dugout and fielded a side containing six players with first team experience in the line up against Killie this afternoon.
United opened brightly and there were early signs of a potential high score as they took the lead through Scotland after only four minutes and then went on to control the play for the next half hour. Several opportunities came along to increase the lead but the Killie defence kept out efforts by McCracken, Grady and Kerr to keep the score 1-0 at the interval.
After the break, United still looked the more likely side to score with the visitors restricted to shots largely from long range. McCracken was again out of luck as he hit the bar with a header and Grady twice came close before he got on the end of a Callaghan cross to squeeze home the Tangerine’s second with around fifteen minutes of the game left. A late Kilmarnock flurry saw Jarvie make two excellent saves in the dying minutes but United were not to be denied and deservedly took all three points.
After the match, a delighted Tony Doherty said, “We played with back three today and I was pleased to see us keep a clean sheet. Our midfield, with the experience of Billy Dodds and Mark Kerr, passed the ball around well and controlled much of the game. The outcome was an accomplished performance which has given us all a lift. Our young players did well again today. We started with three of them on the park and ended the game fielding six of our Under-19s. The more experienced players who came in showed the right attitude and they had an enthusiasm that helped the younger lads too. I thought we were very well organised and we played with some flair as well. All in all, the coaching staff are delighted with today’s showing. It was a very good team effort and it earned us a deserved win.”