First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Dundee United's 16s did themselves proud in a tournament held in Plougonvelin, Brittany, over the weekend winning repeatedly through penalty shoot-outs.
On Saturday, the 16s eased into a quarter final against a strongly fancied Strasbourg side after negotiating a very tight section. The United boys had to sweat after a 0-0 draw against Rennes and the loss of a late free-kick goal in a 1-0 defeat by Espanyol, but the Spanish cracks' 2-0 victory over Rennes saw United squeeze through on goal difference. Star performances so far came from GARRY KENNETH and STUART ABBOTT who were on top form in both matches. On Sunday, a fantastic team effort saw the 16s conquer their French opponents after a tough struggle decided by a penalty shoot-out. United took the lead through FRAZER ROY, but were soon pegged back then went behind in the second half. Things looked bleak, but the never-say-die attitude of the United boys extended into the last minute when a STUART ABBOTT free-kick was met by a thumping GARRY KENNETH header into the net to force penalties. Counters from DAVID ROBERTSON and FRAZER ROY were cancelled out by Strasbourg. BARRY CALLAGHAN also scored, followed by a French miss. NICKY McDONALD then held his nerve to net, leaving Strasbourg with a kick to stay in the competition. Keeper GAVIN McCANN had other ideas, however, and pulled off a tremendous save to propel the team into the semi-final amidst scenes of great celebration.
On Monday, it was penalties again, this time following a 0-0 draw that saw United win 4-2 with DAVID ROBERTSON, FRAZER ROY, BARRY CALLAGHAN and GARRY KENNETH successfully steering United through to a final rematch with group opponents Espanyol. A heroic performance against the hot favourites and sublimely talented Espanyol won United the trophy after yet another thrilling penalty shoot-out. Normal time failed to produce a winner, with United showing magnificent spirit, resolve and organisation allied to skill to keep the Spanish aces at bay and to threaten on a number of occasions themselves. DAVID ROBERTSON, FRAZER ROY, BARRY CALLAGHAN and EDDIE SMITH all kept their nerve in the shoot-out to equalise Espanyol's successes, then after another outstanding GAVIN McCANN save, GARRY KENNETH stepped up to win the cup for United with a confident finish. To cap a fantastic weekend's work, late call-up goalkeeper GAVIN McCANN's heroics were rewarded with him being unanimously and deservedly voted Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
16s goal scorers
Frazer Roy (4)
Garry Kenneth (3)
David Robertson (3)
Barry Callaghan (3)
Nicky McDonald (1)
Eddie Smith (1)
UNDER 13 CHALLENGE PAYSAGE D'IROISE
On Saturday, the 13s squad cruised through their first two fixtures, comfortably seeing off Ploumoguer and Vannes to give themselves an excellent chance of progression to the latter stages. Hot shot DAVID GOODWILLIE fired six goals in these two games, with FRASER MILLIGAN and SCOTT PATERSON notching twice each. Solid defence ensured clean sheets for keeper ALAN MARTIN. On Sunday morning, a narrow 1-0 victory over Plougastel, thanks to a SCOTT MATHIESON counter, saw the 13s seal their place in the last sixteen. This was followed up with a 9-0 thrashing of AC Couesnon. Hat tricks for DAVID GOODWILLIE and CHRIS KENNY, a brace for NEIL McMECHAN and another SCOTT PATERSON goal ensured top spot in the section. The boys now face GC Manresa this afternoon for a place in the quarter finals. Sunday afternoon, a very disappointing display against their Spanish opponents saw the 13s draw 0-0 then lose out 6-5 in a tense penalty shoot out. One miss in the first five was overcome, PHILIP McGRATH, SCOTT PATERSON, NEIL MCMECHAN, CRAIG COOPER and GORDON POPE all successfully converting, but the agony of a 'sudden death' miss allowed the Spanish side to progress. The United boys are left to ponder what might have been.
GOALSCORERS
13s goalscorers
David Goodwillie (9)
Scott Paterson (4)
Chris Kenny (3)
Neil McMechan (3)
Fraser Milligan (2)
Scott Mathieson (1)
Philip McGrath (1)
Craig Cooper (1)
Gordon Pope (1)
On Saturday, the 16s eased into a quarter final against a strongly fancied Strasbourg side after negotiating a very tight section. The United boys had to sweat after a 0-0 draw against Rennes and the loss of a late free-kick goal in a 1-0 defeat by Espanyol, but the Spanish cracks' 2-0 victory over Rennes saw United squeeze through on goal difference. Star performances so far came from GARRY KENNETH and STUART ABBOTT who were on top form in both matches. On Sunday, a fantastic team effort saw the 16s conquer their French opponents after a tough struggle decided by a penalty shoot-out. United took the lead through FRAZER ROY, but were soon pegged back then went behind in the second half. Things looked bleak, but the never-say-die attitude of the United boys extended into the last minute when a STUART ABBOTT free-kick was met by a thumping GARRY KENNETH header into the net to force penalties. Counters from DAVID ROBERTSON and FRAZER ROY were cancelled out by Strasbourg. BARRY CALLAGHAN also scored, followed by a French miss. NICKY McDONALD then held his nerve to net, leaving Strasbourg with a kick to stay in the competition. Keeper GAVIN McCANN had other ideas, however, and pulled off a tremendous save to propel the team into the semi-final amidst scenes of great celebration.
On Monday, it was penalties again, this time following a 0-0 draw that saw United win 4-2 with DAVID ROBERTSON, FRAZER ROY, BARRY CALLAGHAN and GARRY KENNETH successfully steering United through to a final rematch with group opponents Espanyol. A heroic performance against the hot favourites and sublimely talented Espanyol won United the trophy after yet another thrilling penalty shoot-out. Normal time failed to produce a winner, with United showing magnificent spirit, resolve and organisation allied to skill to keep the Spanish aces at bay and to threaten on a number of occasions themselves. DAVID ROBERTSON, FRAZER ROY, BARRY CALLAGHAN and EDDIE SMITH all kept their nerve in the shoot-out to equalise Espanyol's successes, then after another outstanding GAVIN McCANN save, GARRY KENNETH stepped up to win the cup for United with a confident finish. To cap a fantastic weekend's work, late call-up goalkeeper GAVIN McCANN's heroics were rewarded with him being unanimously and deservedly voted Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
16s goal scorers
Frazer Roy (4)
Garry Kenneth (3)
David Robertson (3)
Barry Callaghan (3)
Nicky McDonald (1)
Eddie Smith (1)
UNDER 13 CHALLENGE PAYSAGE D'IROISE
On Saturday, the 13s squad cruised through their first two fixtures, comfortably seeing off Ploumoguer and Vannes to give themselves an excellent chance of progression to the latter stages. Hot shot DAVID GOODWILLIE fired six goals in these two games, with FRASER MILLIGAN and SCOTT PATERSON notching twice each. Solid defence ensured clean sheets for keeper ALAN MARTIN. On Sunday morning, a narrow 1-0 victory over Plougastel, thanks to a SCOTT MATHIESON counter, saw the 13s seal their place in the last sixteen. This was followed up with a 9-0 thrashing of AC Couesnon. Hat tricks for DAVID GOODWILLIE and CHRIS KENNY, a brace for NEIL McMECHAN and another SCOTT PATERSON goal ensured top spot in the section. The boys now face GC Manresa this afternoon for a place in the quarter finals. Sunday afternoon, a very disappointing display against their Spanish opponents saw the 13s draw 0-0 then lose out 6-5 in a tense penalty shoot out. One miss in the first five was overcome, PHILIP McGRATH, SCOTT PATERSON, NEIL MCMECHAN, CRAIG COOPER and GORDON POPE all successfully converting, but the agony of a 'sudden death' miss allowed the Spanish side to progress. The United boys are left to ponder what might have been.
GOALSCORERS
13s goalscorers
David Goodwillie (9)
Scott Paterson (4)
Chris Kenny (3)
Neil McMechan (3)
Fraser Milligan (2)
Scott Mathieson (1)
Philip McGrath (1)
Craig Cooper (1)
Gordon Pope (1)
