UNITED FINISH PRE-SEASON WITH A VICTORY

UNITED FINISH PRE-SEASON WITH A VICTORY

Morison and Poleon secure friendly win...

UNITED 2 (Morison 3, Poleon 86), DUNDEE UNITED 0.

United: Silvestri, Byram (C Taylor 74), Pearce, Wootton, Warnock (Berardi 46), Murphy (Cook 63), Austin (Hunt 46), Tonge (Dawson 63), Bianchi, Morison (Poleon 63), Doukara (Smith 79). Subs. S Taylor.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Townsend, Fojut, Patton, Ciftci, Rankin, Graham, Armstrong, Morris, Erskin. Subs. Mackay-Steven, Watson, McCallum, Dow, Bilate, Telfer, Connolly, Spital, Fraser, Petrie.

Referee: Andy Madeley.

Att: 10, 150 (1,104 Dundee)

United final preparations for the new season saw Dundee United visit Elland Road, the game was the first meeting between the two sides.

There were Elland Road debuts for Marco Silvestri, Tommaso Bianchi and Souleymane Doukara. United striker Noel Hunt, who had recovered from injury, was named with the substitutes for the tie with the Scottish Premier League side.

United started the game brightly and were in front within three minutes of the referee's first whistle. Great build-up play from United's midfield, namely Michael Tonge whose break into the box led to him crossing for Steve Morison who placed the ball into the back of the net.

Following the opening goal United remained on top and in the 11th minute Rudy Austin tried his luck from distance after a good passing move opened up the space for a strike on goal. Austin's shot was met by Radoslaw Cierzniak who palmed the ball over his crossbar.

United dominated the opening half-an-hour and had two further chances to double the lead. Firstly Bianchi struck a sweet shot goalwards but it was just too high and it rebounded back of the crossbar. Then Jason Pearce saw a header from a corner cleared off the line from a corner.

Just after the 30 minute mark the SPL side had their first meanungful attempt on target but Silvestri saved Stuart Armstrong's shot comfortably.

It wasn't long though before United got back on top in the half and Tonge went close to scoring when he struck from just outside the box, it took a good save from Cierzniak to keep the midfielder out. Doukara imprssed throughout the opening half and it was his skill and technique that almost doubled United's lead before the break. He worked his way into the box and set-up Bianchi but the Italian was pressured and the chance was gone. United fully deserved their lead at the break.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening minutes of the second half and had their best chance of the game prior to the hour mark. A Dundee forward broke through into the United penalty area but his strike went wide and into the side netting.

Just after the hour mark there was a proud moment for the Leeds United Academy when Chris Dawson, Lewis Cook and Dominic Poleon all entered the field of play. This was Cook's first senior appearance at Elland Road.

All three Academy graduates got themselves on the ball and were creating openings and spaces in Dundee United's half of the field. With 15 minutes of the game remaining Dawson broke forward and had Poleon in support. The midfielder played the pass to find the United striker but it was cut out by the away sides back-line.

United were looking comfortable at the clock counted down but with 5 minnutes of the game remaining a poor back-pass gifted the away side a chance on goal. Luckily for United Silvestri was quick off his line and saved the shot that came his way.

Then just moments later United went on the attack through Poleon. The United striker was through on goal with only the keeper to beat in the 86th minute, he remained calm and took the ball round the keeper and slotted the ball home to give United the 2-0 victory.

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