That last win took place in one our best seasons of recent years. In 99/00 we finished in fourth place and John Boyle’s crusade to establish us as the ‘third force’ was well underway.
Two survivors from that game are still with us, Corrigan and Hammell, and Malpas played for the Tangerines. Here are a few extracts from the FPC match report.
We kept alive our slim hopes of European football with a 2-1 win at Tannadice. As Utd had nothing to play for, we might have expected an easy ride but the home side turned in a good performance which would have pleased the natives in the 5908 crowd.
There was a a substantial 'Well support through to cheer the lads on and they should be proud of the noise they made.
Andy Goram made a surprise return between the sticks and Twaddle was a direct replacement for Derek Townsley.
We signalled our attacking intentions within the first minute but Studs dragged a long shot well wide of the target. His day was only to get worse as he was subbed at half time with a groin strain. It is not yet known whether he will make the Rangers game but Stevie Hammell will make an able deputy. He showed skill beyond his experience and drew several favourable comments from the hacks in the press box. A nice move involving Don Goodman saw the ball fed to Spenny but with a goal looking certain, he failed to hit the target. Twaddle then found space on the right of the box but his shot was poor and easily cleared.
It was not all one way traffic though, and United came back into the game. Goram saved a bouncing shot from Hannah before John McQuillan went down under an awkward challenge from Corrigan but the referee waved play on.
There then followed one of the most dramatic eight minutes you will ever witness. Kevin Twaddle had switched to the left wing and his pin point cross found Don Goodman. The Don got above his man but his header was cleared off the line. Then David McCracken was sent off for a scything tackle from behind on John Spencer. With the natives still rowdy, Twaddle sent in a great cross from the left and Don Goodman had the simple task of knocking us one up. We should have killed the game until half time but slack defending gave the hosts an opening. Jim Hamilton turned Martin Corrigan before collapsing in the box. My first instinct was penalty and unfortunatley Stuart Dougal agreed. Jim Hamilton did the business from twelve yards to make it 1-1. Paul Harvey was lucky not to be sent off for a reckless challange on Jim Hamilton and escaped again when he got into an 'incident' with the same player. In between, Goram made a wonderful save when John McQuillan curled an effort towards the back post.
At half time, Studs was replaced by Hammell and
Despite us needing a goal from somewhere, the first half hour of the second half was totally forgettable. A bit of magic from Twaddle allowed him to get a cross in and Townsley's header was superbly saved by Combe. With our Euro dreams fading, BD gambled by replacing Corrgan with Nevin. This was the catalyst we needed and instantly looked more dangerous. We got the crucial break through with eleven minutes left when Spenny cut in from the left wing and had a shot blocked by Combe. The rebound fell to Townsley whose pathetic shot only reached Don Goodman who was in the perfect position to prod the ball home to send the 'Well fans and players into ecstasy.
Having got the goal, Derek Townsley was moved to emergency right back and made a couple of great clearances. There was still time for ten man United and when De Vos was knocked over by Strong it looked like a penalty. In the third minute of injury time, there was a free kick lobbed into the box and Jim Hamilton rose to head the ball inches wide of the post. Goram, needless to say, had it covered.
And that was it. A vital win was gathered at a ground that until recently has been very high on the 'graveyard' list. Don Goodman was outstanding and honourable mentions go to: Corrigan, Strong, Hammell, Brannan, Twaddle and Spencer. Pat Nevin also deserves credit for adding the extra pressure which broke
Let’s hope for another three points on Saturday.
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