Loons Lose Out In Opening Friendly.

Forfar Athletic 0 Dundee United 2

The Loons first pre-season friendly, against Dundee United, has ended in a victory for the visitors by 2 goals to 0.

Forfar Athletic began their pre season campaign at home to Premier League neighbours
Dundee Utd with an expected defeat. United, who had already played two friendlies in
the Republic of Ireland fielded a strong team throughout as they prepare for their
Europa League tie in Poland. The Loons had players unavailable, and the substitute's
bench was almost entirely made up of trialists and youth players. Making their
debuts for the home side were Greg Paterson, Chris Hegarty and Stevie Crawford,
Kevin Byers made a welcome return in sky blue colours.

A crowd of just under a thousand saw the visitors enjoy the better of the opening
quarter with Willo Flood twice finding Mackay-Steven on the left on both occasions
the trialist's cross came to nothing. Hegarty was then deemed to have fouled Johnny
Russell, Douglas swung over a high cross and Daly headed over from close range.

The Loons then had two chances in quick succession. Firstly, after Templeman chested
the ball towards Crawford, the ex Scotland star passed to Byers who fired inches
past the post. Minutes later Byers created the clearest cut opening of the game so
far by side stepping two defenders before shooting straight at Banks from 12 yards
out.

A minute later and the visitors took the lead in unfortunate circumstances. Flood
again found space on the right before dispatching a low cross to the left, Jamie
BISHOP cut out the pass before it reached Daly, but could only watch in horror as
his interception diverted the ball past Paterson and into the back of the net.

No further chances were created in the remainder of first half and the opening 45
minutes of Forfar's season came to an end.

Early on in the second period and Paterson did well to save from a Daly header
before Russell latched onto a loose ball before headng goalwards towards Paterson,
it was soon one on one with the Forfar custodian winning the battle and clearing the
ball to safety.

When the second half started most knew it wouldn't be long before a myriad of
substitutes were introduced and sure enough thirteen new players arrived during the
second period.

Bolochoweckyj, youth player Duncan Reid and four trialists came on for the Loons.
Templeman, Crawford, Byers, Gibson, Ross and Hegarty making way.

The visitors should have increased their lead after Russell crossed from the right
and found Robertson, he was challenged by Bishop before firing over from close
range. Unfortunately for him he went over his ankle and hobbled off injured.

United doubled their lead and scored the final goal of the contest when Scott
Allan waltzed past three defenders to set up RUSSELL who fired home from a few yards
out.

After the many changes to both teams the game suffered somehwhat, with clear cut
chances at a minimum, it was the visitors who created the final chance of the match,
Goodwillie made space to fire a great effort on target, only to see Paterson turn
the shot round the past.

This was a worthwhile exercise for the Loons against stiff oppostion who made Forfar
work hard during the match.