St Andrews United made the trip across Fife to face Dundonald Bluebell and returned home with all three points after a battling 1–0 victory. It was, to put it kindly, not one for the football purists. The pitch could certainly have done with a roll and a cut before kick-off, although we won’t dwell on that!

The opening stages were lively, if not particularly easy on the eye. By the sixth minute, the referee had already awarded around 20 fouls, suggesting both teams had decided that passing was optional but tackling was very much compulsory.

United eventually produced the first real opportunity on 10 minutes. Simpson made an excellent run down the right before sending a cross-cum-shot towards goal, forcing the Dundonald goalkeeper to tip it over.

A minute later, United took the lead. A corner was played to the edge of the box before being crossed back into the danger area. The ball took a deflection and fell to Wright, who produced a looping header which sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Dundonald Bluebell 0–1 St Andrews United.

United almost doubled the advantage shortly afterwards when Thomson embarked on a mazy run through midfield before seeing his effort deflected behind for a corner. Dundonald responded with a free kick which found the head of their striker, but the effort drifted narrowly wide.

Former Saint Dunn then headed over from a cross on the right, before Simpson saw a shot parried by the keeper and Lumsden forced another save from a free kick. Dunn had another opportunity on 27 minutes when he found himself one-on-one with the United goalkeeper, but again fired over.

The final stages of the half became increasingly scrappy, although United continued to win dangerous set pieces. Simpson was fouled again on the edge of the box on 38 minutes, with Lumsden’s resulting free kick tipped over.

Another United free kick was cleared before the half ended with the afternoon’s first real flashpoint. Sneddon took an elbow to the face, with play initially allowed to continue before the referee eventually stopped proceedings as the United player remained on the ground. What followed was a fairly animated exchange between players and officials. Sneddon was left with a bruised eye and would not be able to continue.

Half time: Dundonald Bluebell 0–1 St Andrews United.

United made the change at the interval, with Sawers replacing Sneddon.

The second half began in much the same fashion, with the constant fouling continuing to provide a reliable source of employment for the referee. United created a good opportunity on 53 minutes when Cunningham, Sawers and Lumsden combined to set up Berry, whose shot took a deflection and went narrowly wide.

Dundonald then enjoyed their best spell of the afternoon and put United under increasing pressure. A free kick on 61 minutes was met by the head of the Dundonald striker, but the effort went just over.

United still had moments of quality. Kemp produced one of the highlights on 65 minutes, brilliantly beating three players down the right before delivering a cross which just failed to find Lumsden.

Then came a moment that probably won’t feature in the coaching manual. On 71 minutes, Lumsden tackled himself, lost possession, fouled the Dundonald player and was promptly shown a yellow card!

Dundonald continued to push and on 73 minutes Burt produced an excellent save to preserve United’s advantage.

With 15 minutes remaining, the instruction was presumably fairly simple: hold on. The shortage of footballs wasn’t helping either, with an increasing number finding their way into the nearby housing estate. At one point, the match appeared in danger of becoming a joint football and community outreach programme.

Dunn was booked for hacking down Simpson on 80 minutes, before Kemp was also shown yellow three minutes later. United made their final change on 85 minutes, with McCreadie replacing Berry.

Dundonald threw everyone forward for a final free kick in the 90th minute, but Burt comfortably gathered the delivery. A minute later, the final whistle sounded.

Full time: Dundonald Bluebell 0–1 St Andrews United.

It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t particularly polished and it certainly wasn’t one for the highlight reel. But it was a proper battling away performance, with United doing what was required to protect the early lead and come away with three valuable points.

There will be better games, better pitches and, hopefully, fewer footballs disappearing into housing estates. For now, though, United can be satisfied with a clean sheet, three points and a successful trip across Fife.

Sometimes, you just have to win ugly.

Dundonald Bluebell 0–1 St Andrews United.