First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Garry Kenneth, William Easton and Joe Andrew were unavailable for selection and this meant Tony Docherty had to shuffle the pack a little for today's game. He fielded a 3-5-2 formation in this match against ICT with Euan McLean in goal behind a back three of Stuart Abbot, Greg Cameron and Ross Gardiner. In the midfield, Barry Callaghan played wide right with Kieron McAleenan wide left and Gregg Burnett, Marco Andreoni and David Robertson in the centre. The strike pairing was Robbie Feeney and Nicky McDonald.
The first half was completely dominated by the young Tangerines but they were frustrated for forty-five minutes by a strong wind and a resolute home defence. Several chances went a-begging and the sides went in goalless at the break.
The second half was however a different story and the visitors again took full command and went ahead after nine minutes when McDonald released Andreoni with a great through ball. Andreoni was then pulled down in the box and Robertson converted the spot kick. Five minutes later Robertson grabbed his and United's second of the afternoon when he volleyed home at the back post from a well delivered cross from McAleenan. McAleenan was the provider again when he flighted a great ball in from a corner kick and Cameron rose to head powerfully home. With around twenty minutes left, United engineered the fourth and final goal of the match and it was the pick of the bunch. A flowing passing move involving several players ended with Robertson feeding McDonald who then finished clinically to complete a good afternoon's work.
There were two late second half substitutions with fifteen-year-old Fraser Milligan replacing Feeney and sixteen year old Matty Flynn coming in for Andreoni.
After the match a delighted Tony Docherty said "We were frustrated in the first half and went in level despite being in almost full control. After the break the boys continued to dominate and made the best of the chances they created. It was important that we carried on the good form from the first half of the season to maintain the challenge in the league. I was very pleased with this performance, particularly as three of our regular first choice players were unavailable. The football played was outstanding and they showed a tremendous appetite for the game and the attitude was spot on."
The first half was completely dominated by the young Tangerines but they were frustrated for forty-five minutes by a strong wind and a resolute home defence. Several chances went a-begging and the sides went in goalless at the break.
The second half was however a different story and the visitors again took full command and went ahead after nine minutes when McDonald released Andreoni with a great through ball. Andreoni was then pulled down in the box and Robertson converted the spot kick. Five minutes later Robertson grabbed his and United's second of the afternoon when he volleyed home at the back post from a well delivered cross from McAleenan. McAleenan was the provider again when he flighted a great ball in from a corner kick and Cameron rose to head powerfully home. With around twenty minutes left, United engineered the fourth and final goal of the match and it was the pick of the bunch. A flowing passing move involving several players ended with Robertson feeding McDonald who then finished clinically to complete a good afternoon's work.
There were two late second half substitutions with fifteen-year-old Fraser Milligan replacing Feeney and sixteen year old Matty Flynn coming in for Andreoni.
After the match a delighted Tony Docherty said "We were frustrated in the first half and went in level despite being in almost full control. After the break the boys continued to dominate and made the best of the chances they created. It was important that we carried on the good form from the first half of the season to maintain the challenge in the league. I was very pleased with this performance, particularly as three of our regular first choice players were unavailable. The football played was outstanding and they showed a tremendous appetite for the game and the attitude was spot on."
