Departing Tannadice trio bow out on winning note

Published Date: 16 May 2011
By CRAIG FORBES
at TANNADICE
HAVING narrowly failed to take the battle for third place in the SPL to the final game of the season, Dundee United at least enjoyed the satisfaction of bringing down the curtain on their campaign with victory over a Hearts side which won just once in their final dozen league games.
The Edinburgh side secured third place largely through their excellent mid-season form but there had been some nerves building as United steadily ate into their once healthy lead before Rangers' midweek win over Peter Houston's men confirmed that Hearts could not be overtaken.

United handed farewell appearance to Craig Conway, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis, who are all set to leave Tannadice the summer.

Captain Jon Daly and defenders Mihael Kovacevic and Sean Dillon both started at the expense of David Robertson, Scott Robertson and Garry Kenneth, while Keith Watson was absent after having a hernia operation on Thursday.

Hearts made six changes from the team that lost 3-0 to Celtic midweek with David Obua missing through suspension following his dismissal against Neil Lennon's side, while Marius Zaliukas, Ian Black, Ryan Stevenson, Rudi Skacel and Stephen Elliott were also left out.

In their place came Darren Barr, Ruben Palazuelos, Andy Driver, David Templeton, Gary Glen and Scott Robinson.

Both teams made a bright start with an inviting cross by Driver headed clear by Dillon before Paul Dixon crossed for Daly at the other end but the Irish striker headed well wide.

United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis comfortably stopped a well-struck volley by Hearts captain Eggert Jonsson after eight minutes before Marian Kello made an even better stop by clawing away Goodwillie's close-range goalbound volley.

The visitors were forced to make an early change after 21 minutes when Driver was replaced by Jason Thomson.And within a minute United took the lead when Conway's cross was turned home from five yards out by David Goodwillie.

Hearts had a chance to restore parity before the half-hour mark when Robinson was fouled on the edge of the area by Dillon but Pernis was equal to Craig Thomson's curling free-kick.

However, the visitors did get back on level terms with 31 minutes gone when Glen stooped to head home a cross from the lively Templeton.

The game continued to ebb and flow with Craig Thomson and Conway both going agonisingly close with powerful long-range drives.

United had a strong penalty appeal waved away before the break when substitute Jason Thomson looked to have pulled back Daly as he tried to connect with a Conway cross.

The hosts almost made the perfect start to the second period when Kovacevic made a neat exchange of passes with Goodwillie but the Swiss defender's effort was pushed away by Kello.

The United pressure continued with Goodwillie beating the offside trap to collect an intelligent pass from Gomis but the striker shot wide from an acute angle.

Buaben was next to try his luck but the Ghanaian midfielder failed to keep his shot from the edge of the area under the crossbar.

United got the goal their attacking play deserved after 71 minutes when Daly pounced on a loose header from Ismael Bouzid to rifle the ball into the net from 20 yards.

Hearts searched for an equaliser but Jonsson and Templeton were both denied by Pernis in the closing stages as United secured all three points.

United mananger Houston said of the final appearances by Goomis, Buaben and Conway: "The boys were quite emotional as they have really enjoyed their time at Dundee United and we have really enjoyed them being here. They can walk out with their heads held high because they were part of the team that won the Scottish Cup.

"It is a good way for the guys to sign off with a victory. It means we finish on 61 points, which is only two points short of what we managed last season.

It is a great credit to the players and we wish those who are moving on good luck as they have done this club a turn."

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies said: "With the way the game flowed from end to end I thought a draw would have been the right result but it wasn't to be.

"I had five of the under-19s, who have had a fantastic season, on the bench today. Hopefully the ones that came on will use it as a positive."

Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Severin, Daly, Kovacevic (van der Meulen 80), Conway, Gomis, Buaben, Dixon, Goodwillie (David Robertson 85), Russell (Shala 75). Subs not used: Banks, Douglas, Kenneth, Armstrong.

Hearts: Kello, Barr, McGowan, Bouzid, Craig Thomson, Templeton, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Driver (Jason Thomson 21), Glen (Smith 74), Robinson (Holt 82). Subs not used: MacDonald, Stewart, Ogleby, Hamilton.

MAN OF THE MATCH
David Goodwillie (Dundee United)

The highly prized United striker was a threat to Hearts throughout and went close on two or three occasions to adding further goals to his opener strike. The departing Craig Conway also turned in an impressive farewell display.

Taken from the Scotsman