Dundee Utd 3
Ross County 0
Scottish Cup (Final)

Match Report

Source unknown.

Three second-half goals saw a dominant Dundee United win the Scottish Cup with a convincing victory over Ross County.

United shaded a low-key first half against their First Division opponents but struggled to pressurise Michael McGovern in the County goal.

David Goodwillie broke the deadlock with a stunning lob after McGovern rushed from his box to head clear.

And Craig Conway's late double saw United secure the cup for the second time in their history.

It was a nervous opening 10 minutes from both sides in the 125th Scottish Cup, as they struggled to establish any rhythm on the sun-kissed Hampden pitch.

United voiced half-hearted penalty appeals when Danny Swanson tumbled under Alex Keddie's challenge but referee Dougie McDonald was unimpressed.

Gary Miller was the first name in the referee's book after 22 minutes for scything down Dundee United striker Goodwillie.

But United failed to profit from a promising set-piece as Garry Kenneth headed well over the bar from Conway's accurate centre.

County, who accounted for Scottish Premier League sides Hibernian and Celtic en route to the final, were determined not to allow United to get into their stride, as the First Division outfit hunted Tangerine jerseys in hungry packs.

David Goodwillie put United on their way with a stunning lob

United came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes before the break.

Goodwillie played a clever one-two with Swanson and the latter bore down on goal after tearing through the Ross County midfield.

But the back-tracking Keddie made a goal-saving challenge on the scampering United midfielder and the danger was cleared.

Conway found himself free down the left-hand side moments later and his cross found Prince Buaben, but his header lacked power to trouble County keeper McGovern.

And United spurned a great chance to take the lead seconds before half-time when Goodwillie dithered in the box before the impressive Keddie nipped the ball away for a corner.

It was one-way traffic towards the County goal and Jon Daly sent a header straight at McGovern in the last chance of the half.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first: with United pinning their conservative opponents in their own half for long spells without seriously testing McGovern.

United midfielder Morgaro Gomis sent in a deep cross and the stretching Swanson could not get his header on target.

Goodwillie broke the deadlock with a stunning lob from just outside the penalty area after County keeper McGovern raced from his line to head clear.

Falling behind stung County into action and Jimmy Scott forced Dusan Pernis into his first save of the game in the 68th minute as Derek Adams's side searched for an equaliser.

But Conway added a second when he collected Goodwillie's headed flick and sped away from the County defence before sliding a left-foot shot under the on-rushing McGovern.

United's second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of County, who in truth had been a shadow of the side who knocked out Celtic and Hibs in a memorable cup run.

Conway grabbed his second and United's third when he controlled Gomis's accurate flick and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner beyond the helpless McGovern.

Peter Houston's side saw out the rest of the game comfortably as the United fans celebrated only their second Scottish Cup final victory, while the subdued County followers were left to ponder what could have been.