First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United had the first chance of the night with a Callaghan free kick in only the second minute but the wall held firm and the danger was cleared. The visitors responded with a Russell free kick but the United defence got it away easily. In these early stages the home side were having the bulk of possession and showing some good touches without having a clear-cut chance and it was 'Well who came close next with McGuire firing narrowly past after he made space on the left. The young Tangerines defended a couple of free kicks and then on seventeen minutes they almost took the lead but McAleenan was just inches away from connecting with a Callaghan cross. Callaghan then produced two great cut backs in quick succession but Motherwell managed to get both clear and then on twenty-one minutes he latched on to a loose ball in the box but was closed down in the act of shooting.
At the other end Callaghan was again in the action, this time blocking a Grant effort and, as United continued to have a lot of success from the right, the opening goal arrived just after the half hour mark. McDonald did exceptionally well to keep possession near the by line and he swung in a perfect cross. McAleenan got there first to blast the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Kenneth headed wide from a corner kick five minutes later and Calder in the Motherwell goal made a poor clearance and was fortunate United were unable to capitalise on his error. The visitors made a concerted late effort and McLean had to be alert to tip over from a McGuire shot and the same attacker wriggled free just before the half time whistle but his curling effort slipped past the post.
After the break Motherwell put in a big effort but United coped well with the attacks before Calder was forced to rush out of his box with an hour played to beat Andrew and the keeper was lucky to see his attempted clearance cannon off the attacking United man and fly past the post. Grant saw his effort deflected and Russell fired wildly over the top when the ball spun loose from the corner. For a short spell the visitors were in the ascendancy and McGuire's run through the defence was only halted with the attention of three defenders. Smith then hit a deflected shot into the side netting on sixty seven minutes.
In the last twenty minutes United were in almost complete control with first McAleenan unlucky not to make more of a McDonald pass and then Callaghan had a headed effort deflected for a corner. A quick fire double by United in the closing twelve minute sealed the win. First McAleenan turned provider as he set Goodwillie away, the fifteen year old striker ran in on goal and had the confidence to bide his time, draw the keeper and the slot the ball past him from fifteen yards. Two minutes later Easton netted an excellent free kick over the wall, leaving the keeper helpless. Even then United kept going forward and McDonald was left to rue his luck as Calder acrobatically palmed a net bond effort off the line.
After the match Tony Docherty was obviously delighted and said "We drew Motherwell in this round and we knew it was going to be a tricky tie against a team who have been going well in the league. Our players have ability and can pass the ball around and what we asked them to do tonight was to carry that on and to match the competitiveness and aggression that we know Motherwell have. I think they achieved that and over the ninety minutes I thought we were the better side in all departments. I don't want to single out players for special mention because every one of them performed superbly well and as a team they were outstanding. It was a comprehensive and deserved win with three very good goals. Tonight's display showed that these young players work for each other and they have developed a winning mentality."
United : McLean. Abbot, Easton, Cameron, Kenneth, Gardiner, Callaghan, Robertson (Andreoni 87), Andrew (Goodwillie 67), McDonald, McAleenan
Subs Not Used : Welsh (Gk), Fleming. Burnett.
At the other end Callaghan was again in the action, this time blocking a Grant effort and, as United continued to have a lot of success from the right, the opening goal arrived just after the half hour mark. McDonald did exceptionally well to keep possession near the by line and he swung in a perfect cross. McAleenan got there first to blast the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Kenneth headed wide from a corner kick five minutes later and Calder in the Motherwell goal made a poor clearance and was fortunate United were unable to capitalise on his error. The visitors made a concerted late effort and McLean had to be alert to tip over from a McGuire shot and the same attacker wriggled free just before the half time whistle but his curling effort slipped past the post.
After the break Motherwell put in a big effort but United coped well with the attacks before Calder was forced to rush out of his box with an hour played to beat Andrew and the keeper was lucky to see his attempted clearance cannon off the attacking United man and fly past the post. Grant saw his effort deflected and Russell fired wildly over the top when the ball spun loose from the corner. For a short spell the visitors were in the ascendancy and McGuire's run through the defence was only halted with the attention of three defenders. Smith then hit a deflected shot into the side netting on sixty seven minutes.
In the last twenty minutes United were in almost complete control with first McAleenan unlucky not to make more of a McDonald pass and then Callaghan had a headed effort deflected for a corner. A quick fire double by United in the closing twelve minute sealed the win. First McAleenan turned provider as he set Goodwillie away, the fifteen year old striker ran in on goal and had the confidence to bide his time, draw the keeper and the slot the ball past him from fifteen yards. Two minutes later Easton netted an excellent free kick over the wall, leaving the keeper helpless. Even then United kept going forward and McDonald was left to rue his luck as Calder acrobatically palmed a net bond effort off the line.
After the match Tony Docherty was obviously delighted and said "We drew Motherwell in this round and we knew it was going to be a tricky tie against a team who have been going well in the league. Our players have ability and can pass the ball around and what we asked them to do tonight was to carry that on and to match the competitiveness and aggression that we know Motherwell have. I think they achieved that and over the ninety minutes I thought we were the better side in all departments. I don't want to single out players for special mention because every one of them performed superbly well and as a team they were outstanding. It was a comprehensive and deserved win with three very good goals. Tonight's display showed that these young players work for each other and they have developed a winning mentality."
United : McLean. Abbot, Easton, Cameron, Kenneth, Gardiner, Callaghan, Robertson (Andreoni 87), Andrew (Goodwillie 67), McDonald, McAleenan
Subs Not Used : Welsh (Gk), Fleming. Burnett.
