First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Dundee United booked a place in their second semi final of the season with a convincing victory over Aberdeen at Tannadice. Two goals from James Grady as well as counters from Alan Archibald and Stevie Crawford gave them a morale-boosting victory. Richie Byrne netted for the visitors on a memorable afternoon for the United fans.
With serious injuries to the unfortunate Lee Mair and Jim McIntyre, there was a return to the starting line-up for Jason Scotland and Grant Brebner with Stuart Duff dropping back into the defence. In front of live television cameras and with a place in the semi finals at stake, there was a great atmosphere in the ground.
In a highly entertaining first half, United went in with a 3-1 advantage. The home side looked dangerous on the attack and after 20 minutes took a deserved lead. A Robson free kick found Stevie Crawford unmarked at the back post. His volley was blocked on the line by Byrne but it fell to Alan Archibald who calmly slotted home. Ten minutes later they doubled their lead when Mark Wilson did tremendously on the right, his cross was headed against the bar by Robson and James Grady followed up to make it 2-0. Aberdeen handed themselves a lifeline three minutes later when a Jamie Winter free kick was headed past Tony Bullock by Richie Byrne. It was United though who continued to press and following a great through ball by the hugely effective Jason Scotland, Stevie Crawford stroked the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
United put the game beyond their visitors two minutes into the second half in spectacular fashion. A great run from Crawford set up James Grady who volleyed past Esson from the edge of the penalty area. With the game out of reach of the Dons, it was United who tried to add to their tally. On two occasions Barry Robson had fierce shots well saved by goalkeeper Esson. Jason Scotland was replaced by his countryman Collin Samuel on the hour mark and he went very close to making it five with fifteen minutes remaining. With two minutes to go, Esson again denied Barry Robson when he tipped a shot round the post.
Summary:
A great team performance by United in all departments. Ian McCall must be delighted to have done it in front of the television cameras. This gives United a perfect opportunity to erase the memories of the CIS Cup semi final.
Man of the match: On a day when all the players performed superbly the award goes to Alan Archibald who strolled through the match without putting a foot wrong. His opening goal also set United on the road to victory.
Teams:
Dundee United: Bullock, Wilson, Archibald, Kerr (Cameron 87), Brebner, Robson, Duff, Grady, Crawford, Scotland, (Samuel 60) Ritchie.
Subs not used: Colgan, Dodds, Kenneth
Aberdeen: Esson, McNaughton, Anderson, Diamond, Heikkinen (Foster 27), Clark (Stewart 51), Mackie, Hart, Winter, Whelan, Byrne (Morrison 74)
Subs not used: Blanchard, McGuire, Stewart
Referee - K Clark
Attendance - 8,661
With serious injuries to the unfortunate Lee Mair and Jim McIntyre, there was a return to the starting line-up for Jason Scotland and Grant Brebner with Stuart Duff dropping back into the defence. In front of live television cameras and with a place in the semi finals at stake, there was a great atmosphere in the ground.
In a highly entertaining first half, United went in with a 3-1 advantage. The home side looked dangerous on the attack and after 20 minutes took a deserved lead. A Robson free kick found Stevie Crawford unmarked at the back post. His volley was blocked on the line by Byrne but it fell to Alan Archibald who calmly slotted home. Ten minutes later they doubled their lead when Mark Wilson did tremendously on the right, his cross was headed against the bar by Robson and James Grady followed up to make it 2-0. Aberdeen handed themselves a lifeline three minutes later when a Jamie Winter free kick was headed past Tony Bullock by Richie Byrne. It was United though who continued to press and following a great through ball by the hugely effective Jason Scotland, Stevie Crawford stroked the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
United put the game beyond their visitors two minutes into the second half in spectacular fashion. A great run from Crawford set up James Grady who volleyed past Esson from the edge of the penalty area. With the game out of reach of the Dons, it was United who tried to add to their tally. On two occasions Barry Robson had fierce shots well saved by goalkeeper Esson. Jason Scotland was replaced by his countryman Collin Samuel on the hour mark and he went very close to making it five with fifteen minutes remaining. With two minutes to go, Esson again denied Barry Robson when he tipped a shot round the post.
Summary:
A great team performance by United in all departments. Ian McCall must be delighted to have done it in front of the television cameras. This gives United a perfect opportunity to erase the memories of the CIS Cup semi final.
Man of the match: On a day when all the players performed superbly the award goes to Alan Archibald who strolled through the match without putting a foot wrong. His opening goal also set United on the road to victory.
Teams:
Dundee United: Bullock, Wilson, Archibald, Kerr (Cameron 87), Brebner, Robson, Duff, Grady, Crawford, Scotland, (Samuel 60) Ritchie.
Subs not used: Colgan, Dodds, Kenneth
Aberdeen: Esson, McNaughton, Anderson, Diamond, Heikkinen (Foster 27), Clark (Stewart 51), Mackie, Hart, Winter, Whelan, Byrne (Morrison 74)
Subs not used: Blanchard, McGuire, Stewart
Referee - K Clark
Attendance - 8,661
