First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Dundee United's Under-21 side travelled to Firhill this evening for the match against Partick Thistle. Originally this game was scheduled for Tannadice but due to the CIS Cup tie to be played there tomorrow, Partick agreed to switch the game to Maryhill.
United fielded a mix of youth and experience in a 1-4-3-2- formation with a good representation of young players in the side including Gavin McCann who was getting his first start in goal at this level. Wilson was playing sweeper behind a back four of Hunter, McCracken, Anderson and Bollan and in midfield the experienced Easton was joined by Holmes and Bell. Up front player/coach Coyle partnered McGowan.
Unfortunately Owen Coyle's side were unable to emulate the Saturday victories of the first team and Under-19s and, after creditable draws against Rangers and Livingston earlier in the month, the Under-21 side lost by the odd goal in five for the third time this season. The home side were well in charge in the first half and, when they went in a goal to the good through Bonnes at half time, it was no less than they deserved.
The second half saw a change in formation as Wilson moved from his sweeper role to allow the side to play a more accustomed 4-4-2 and it was not long before Holmes scored early in the second period to equalise for the Tangerines, his shot from the edge of the area taking a deflection on its way in. United should have gone further ahead but Budinaukus in the Thistle goal thwarted the visiting forward line with a couple of excellent stops to keep the score down before Coyle put United ahead. However, the lead lasted only a minute before Bonnes equalised for the home side and then McBride grabbed the winner with about twenty minutes left.
After the game Owen Coyle was understandably disappointed and at the risk of repeating himself from previous weeks, he said that, not for the first time this season, he felt the side had lost a match that they should have won. However, Owen also said that there were several positives to take from the match with the young players again showing up well and the performance of Holmes (pictured) in particular came in for special mention.
United fielded a mix of youth and experience in a 1-4-3-2- formation with a good representation of young players in the side including Gavin McCann who was getting his first start in goal at this level. Wilson was playing sweeper behind a back four of Hunter, McCracken, Anderson and Bollan and in midfield the experienced Easton was joined by Holmes and Bell. Up front player/coach Coyle partnered McGowan.
Unfortunately Owen Coyle's side were unable to emulate the Saturday victories of the first team and Under-19s and, after creditable draws against Rangers and Livingston earlier in the month, the Under-21 side lost by the odd goal in five for the third time this season. The home side were well in charge in the first half and, when they went in a goal to the good through Bonnes at half time, it was no less than they deserved.
The second half saw a change in formation as Wilson moved from his sweeper role to allow the side to play a more accustomed 4-4-2 and it was not long before Holmes scored early in the second period to equalise for the Tangerines, his shot from the edge of the area taking a deflection on its way in. United should have gone further ahead but Budinaukus in the Thistle goal thwarted the visiting forward line with a couple of excellent stops to keep the score down before Coyle put United ahead. However, the lead lasted only a minute before Bonnes equalised for the home side and then McBride grabbed the winner with about twenty minutes left.
After the game Owen Coyle was understandably disappointed and at the risk of repeating himself from previous weeks, he said that, not for the first time this season, he felt the side had lost a match that they should have won. However, Owen also said that there were several positives to take from the match with the young players again showing up well and the performance of Holmes (pictured) in particular came in for special mention.
