Dundee United’s hopes of progressing in the Scottish Cup were dashed at Dens Park as they were defeated 1-0 by their city rivals, Dundee. The match, however, was marred by controversy, as United manager Jim Goodwin launched a scathing attack on referee Matthew MacDermid following a disallowed goal that he believed cost his team a chance to equalize.
The match began in dramatic fashion with Dundee taking the lead just a minute into the game. A swift and clinical start from Dundee saw them break through United’s defense early, leaving the visitors on the back foot. United struggled to recover from the early setback, with Dundee’s defense proving difficult to break down throughout the first half.
However, as the match neared its end, Dundee United appeared to have found their equalizer. A well-timed strike from Vicko Sevelj saw the ball hit the back of the net, sending United’s fans into celebration. But to their dismay, the goal was immediately ruled out by referee Matthew MacDermid. The official had blown his whistle for a foul committed by a United player just before Sevelj’s shot found the net, much to the frustration of Goodwin and his side.
Goodwin was visibly upset with the decision, claiming that the foul had been questionable at best and that the timing of the referee’s whistle had been too hasty. “It was a poor decision,” Goodwin said in his post-match interview. “The referee didn’t give us a fair chance to score, and it’s incredibly frustrating. The whistle came just before the ball went in, but we all know how difficult it is for players to stop mid-action when they’ve already committed to the shot.”
United continued to press for an equalizer, but Dundee held firm, with goalkeeper Trevor Carson making crucial saves to deny the visitors any real chance of getting back into the game. As the match wore on, United’s efforts grew more desperate, but the early goal from Dundee was enough to secure their place in the next round of the Scottish Cup.
Despite the defeat, Goodwin remained defiant, expressing confidence in his team’s performance overall but questioning the integrity of the officiating. “We deserved more from the game, and we felt hard done by,” Goodwin added. “The referee’s decision changed the course of the match, and it’s disappointing for us.”
With Dundee United’s Scottish Cup run now over, they will have to refocus their efforts on their league campaign, while Dundee advances to the next stage of the tournament, buoyed by a contentious but narrow victory.
