Tuesday 20 August 2013

17 August 2013 - Hibs v Dundee United


Straight from the zoo to Easter Road, to watch the mighty Dundee United take on Hibs.



The first time Sam saw United play they lost 1-0 at home to Dunfermline so we were hoping for better this time.  During the warm-up lots of shots were fizzing into the away fans behind the goal, which didn't look good, an impression made worse when we overheard one fan, when asked where he was going to sit, reply "Behind the goal, it's the safest place."



It's always exciting when you get your first glimpse of a new away ground, and this doesn't diminish when you get old, like Dad.  Easter Road is Sam's second Scottish ground, which is two more grounds than most Premiership-generation fans in England have EVER been to. Easter Road is tucked away in the middle of dour stone terraces, shops and churches.



Although the setting is old-fashioned the stadium itself is modern, with four neat, large stands finished in Hibs' green and white colours.



The game wasn't great but United were clearly much the better team and took the lead after half an hour.  They had more chances to score but wasted them all, and then manager Jackie McNamara decided to replace the best two attacking options, David Goodwillie (yes, really) and Gary Mackay-Smith (G, G, GMS!) with holding players, instead of going for a game-killing second.



It didn't pay off. Following a double sending off (one each side) and a sixteen man brawl, the home team finally found a bit of life and equalized with ten minutes to go. The match finished 1-1 and it was two points lost instead of one gained.


Still, it was an entertaining afternoon of football, and Sam had a thorough introduction into the complete lexicon of Scottish swear words. Ace!

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