Vintage United find their sparkling best
THE last time Dundee United took the trip to Palmerston on league business was in 1963 — the year Beatlemania hit the UK and Lawrence of Arabia won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Yesterday’s comprehensive victory, while never in the same category as the those landmark events, proved nonetheless that United are in vintage form.
No wonder United manager Ray McKinnon was thrilled with the victory.
He said: ‘We played some nice football and it was a good performance all round. They are talented boys and, when they play like that, they are hard to play against.
‘We had to contend with a few injuries but they did well.
‘Queens are a good side, so we were delighted to get the three points. I was disappointed to concede a goal just before halftime. It was a cheap free-kick.’
It was United’s first competitive trip to Dumfries since a 1-0 victory in the League Cup four years ago.
After just five minutes, Tony Andreu had a shot blocked. The ball fell perfectly for Scott Fraser, but his first-time effort from 18 yards was deflected just wide of goalkeeper Lee Robinson’s right hand post.
Queens were desperate to halt a run of three successive league defeats, which has not seen the Doonhamers taste Championship victory since mid-September.
Indeed, Gavin Skelton’s side have failed to find the net in each of their previous five league games. They came close to ending that goal drought after 10 minutes when Paul Dixon slipped at the vital moment and Grant Anderson raced forward, but his 18-yard shot drifted just wide of the far post.
United were in a buoyant mood and their confidence grew further when they took the lead after 14 minutes. The outstanding Fraser swung over an inswinging corner from the right which evaded Robinson and ex-Queens defender Mark Durnan, unmarked, headed home at the back post for his second goal in successive weeks.
The Tannadice men doubled their lead in 22 minutes with a goal full of simplicity. Dixon whipped in a cross from the left and Andreu got in front of the static Queens defence to send a glancing header from 10 yards soaring high into the net.
United were dealt a blow three minutes from the break when Dixon went down under a challenge from Mark Millar and was carried off after lengthy treatment.
Queens, anxious to reduce the deficit before the interval, came close in 44 minutes when Lyndon Dykes sent a fierce 25-yard drive just off target. Deep into stoppage time, the home side finally achieved their aim when Stephen Dobbie curled in a free-kick from the right and Anderson rose to head past Cammy Bell from six yards out. It proved to be a false dawn.
United re-emerged with German Luis Zwick taking over in goal from Bell, who had injured his knee in the first period. It did not halt United’s progress to victory with their two-goal advantage restored in 57 minutes. Frank van der Struijk rolled the ball into the path of Fraser, who switched on to his left foot and crashed the ball beyond Robinson from 25 yards out.
Simon Murray added a fourth 13 minutes from time when he clipped the ball over Robinson after superb play by Andreu.
Despondent Skelton said afterwards: ‘We conceded two goals from set pieces, which was disappointing. I have no complaints. We just went under. It can happen because of our lack of goals. We have to knuckle down.’