Dundee United 5 - 1 Inverness

Dundee United Ladies will play Dalkeith Ladies in the Final of the Scottish Women's Football League Cup after a convincing 5-1 victory over First Division League Leaders Inverness at the home of Newburgh Juniors.
In what was a great advert for the women's game as a whole both teams contributed to a fantastic game of football. The fact United played almost 75 minutes with 10 players made the result even more impressive
for the girls from Dundee.

The game started as you would expect in any Cup Semi Final at a high tempo and it was United who always looked the more threatening in the early stages. On only 3 minutes, United had a great chance to take the
lead. Boag played in Denney and as she cut in from the angle, she skewed her shot wide of the Inverness Goalkeepers right hand post. United again had another great chance. A driving run from Milne in the midfield saw her left one on one with the keeper but Milne's effort was well saved by
the Inverness keeper.

United deservedly took the lead on 12 minutes in what was an action packed next ten minutes. A through ball from Gallagher saw Stewart out on the right wing, her cross into the box was bundled into the back of
the net by BOAG for her 10th goal of the season.

United doubled there lead on 15 minutes. After another fine save from the Inverness Keeper, a corner into the box from Hughes was met at the near post by WILLIAMSON and her deflected effort found the back of the
net.

On 18 minutes Inverness pulled a goal back. A corner into the box was met by the Inverness No 6 and her goal bound effort was handled on the line by Emma Stewart and the referee was left with no option but to send
off the United Midfielder and award a penalty to Inverness. The Inverness No 9 smashed the ball down the middle of the goal and left United keeper Clarke with no chance.

For the next 15 minutes, with United shell-shocked at the sending off, Inverness mounted a lot of pressure on the United goal but it held firm.

The Final 10 minutes of the half saw both teams fighting for possession in the middle of the park but for some good defending, both teams could have added to there goal tally before the half time whistle.

HT - Dundee United 2 - 1 Inverness

The second half started in very similar fashion to the first, with United once again on top and the game being played at a ridiculously high tempo. United all be it down to 10 players were dictating the pace
of the game.

United had chances through Denney, Fraser, Boag and Marr to add to there tally before they added a 3rd on 65 minutes. A through ball from Milne was latched onto by Denney and although the Inverness Keeper made a fine
save, the loose ball broke to DENNEY and she slammed the ball into the empty net for her 11th goal of the season.

Inverness then had a great chance to pull a goal back and set up a fantastic final twenty minutes. The No 9 was left one on one with keeper Clarke but she stood big and brave and dived at the strikers feet to make a fantastic save and keep United's advantage to two.

Clarke's save spurred United back into top gear again and they duly added a fourth on 80 minutes to kill the game once and for all. A through ball from Fraser left BROADIE one on one with the keeper, she
stayed cool and composed and placed the ball into the corner of the net to the delight of all player and fans who now knew that a cup final place was within touching distance.

However, United switched off from the resultant kick off and Inverness missed a glaring chance to pull a goal back almost immediately after United's fourth. A Cross in from the right landed at the back post and
the Inverness No 7 header fell agonisingly Wide of Clarke's left hand post.

United added a fifth with a little bit of luck attached and when you know it's going to be your day. A through ball by Fraser was chased down by Broadie and with the Inverness Keeper charging out, her clearance hit BROADIE and ran on into the empty net to seal United's place in the Final of the Cup.

F/T - Dundee United 5 - 1 Inverness

This match was a great advert for the women's game. Many of the spectators who commented on the match said it was one of the best games they have seen at all levels in the women's game. The Energy levels of
both sides and some of the football played on the day was great to watch. Both teams contributed to what was a fantastic game of football.

Special mention must go to the match referee. After a little chat with the players prior to kick off, he was true to his word and allowed the game to flow from end to end and played advantage whenever this was
possible. He also put all of the players at ease and encouraged both sets of players throughout the 90 minutes. This helped contribute to the game of football on the day and he was very complimentary about both sets of players after the match.

On behalf of Dundee United Ladies, we would like to thank Newburgh Juniors and the Abbey Hotel for there hospitality on the day. The committee members at Newburgh laid on soup, pies, tea and coffee on a
freezing cold day and this went down well with all the spectators at the match. Also, the after match hospitality at the Abbey Hotel was attended well by both clubs and they appreciated all the food that was laid on.

As Stated at the start of this report, United will play Dalkeith in the Cup Final at New Bayview, home of East Fife Football Club. Dalkeith overcame Cowdenbeath at Thomson Park 3-2 AET. The cup final is sure to be a close encounter after the teams drew 1-1 in the league meeting at Thomson Park. Both teams will no doubt look forward to the final but its back to league duty for both next Sunday.