Dundee United 0
Peterhead 1
(Boyd 51)
Season 2020/ 21 got off to a fantastic start for Peterhead with Jim McInally’s side securing a 1-0 win at the Tannadice home of Premiership Dundee United.
A Steven Boyd goal early in the second half secured three points in Group C and what should be most pleasing to fans of the Blue Toon is not just the score-line but how well the players went about their business.
Joshua Rae was given his debut in goal with Kyle Bailey, Josh Mulligan and Isaac Layne all getting their first starts as well and former Dumbarton striker Layne could have opened his account for his new club on 8 minutes when he was picked out by Andrew McCarthy however he headed wide.
A minute later Mulligan went off injured and Peterhead had to reshuffle with Gary Fraser coming on to play in midfield and Simon Ferry dropping into defence with Bailey shifted out to right back.
Despite the changes Peterhead continued to impress and Layne brought out a save from Deniz Mehmet with a stinging drive from 25 yards.
Unfortunately the front-man had picked up a knock and he went off injured in 33 minutes however again this disruption was taking in their stride by the Balmoor men.
Before half-time Ryan Conroy fired just over and when the 45 minutes were up McInally’s side would have been slightly disappointed that they had not got their noses in front.
That all changed six minutes into the restart when after a period of sustained pressure and missed opportunities McCarthy picked out Boyd and curled a shot past Mehmet.
Cammy Smith had an opening shortly afterwards as United looked to hit-back and when Ben Armour became the third player to come off injured just after the hour mark it looked like an uncomfortable time lay in store.
Lyall Cameron can on and he quickly played himself into the game with the on-loan Dundee youngster creating a chance for Cook however he could not force the ball past Mehmet.
The hosts looked to ramp up the pressure in the closing 10 minutes however Rae was equal to the couple of headers that found their way to goal.
A couple of crosses fizzed across goal before the final whistle went and a deserved three points headed north.
Peterhead – Rae, Bailey, Ferry, Brown, Conroy, Mulligan (Fraser 9), McCarthy, Brown, Boyd, Layne (Cook 33), Armour (Cameron 64)
Unused substitutes
Mackenzie, Cook, Fraser, Kesson, Cameron, Wilson, Lyle
