First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
With Tony Docherty and Dave Bowman in the dugout and Gordon Chisholm together with a large contingent of the first team squad watching from the stand, United lined up in their familiar 4-4-2 formation. Euan McLean was in goal behind a back four of Stuart Abbot (captain), Garry Kenneth, Ross Gardiner and William Easton. Playing wide right was Barry Callaghan with Keiran McAleenan on the left with David Robertson and Greg Cameron in the centre of midfield, whilst up front the pairing was Joe Andrew with Nicky McDonald.
The first ten minutes were evenly balanced as each side probed for an opening without either seeing a real scoring opportunity and when the first opening was created in the tenth minute it was the home side's McGlinchey who got his shot in but he fired well over the top. A minute later a dangerous United free kick came to nothing as Robertson went early and was caught offside. Andrew then found room to turn and shoot in the six yard box but his effort was saved by the keeper and almost immediately at the other end Ross had his shot blocked on the edge of the box.
On twenty-one minutes the Pars failed to capitalise when the United defence struggled to deal with a cross but United also missed out on a chance when, five minutes later, Andrew was inches away from connecting with a Callaghan free kick from the left. The match flowed from end to end again and then on thirty-six minutes from a hopeful cross into the Dunfermline half, McAleenan managed to control the ball as it dropped and in one movement he turned and executed a lob that dipped over the keeper and into the net. Two minutes later Callaghan launched a great ball from a free kick to the far post where it was met by Gardiner but he powered the header over the top. Right on half time a defensive mix up cost United a free kick when McLean was forced to gather a misplaced pass back. However, the defence stood up to the kick from the corner of the six yard box and the danger passed.
Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Dundee United 1
After the break the match was again end to end stuff with first Phinn firing in a low angled drive that McLean had no trouble gathering and then Robertson screwed a shot high and wide for United. The young Tangerines were then unlucky not to increase their lead when a flick-on from McDonald was cleared of the line and then with ten minutes of the half gone, Goodwillie, who had replaced Andrew only a minute earlier, shot wide from twenty five yards.
Dunfermline were unable to find a final telling ball after some good build-up play and United began to look in control and almost scored in sixty five minutes but Kenneth's header from a corner kick was cleared off the line. The match again ebbed and flowed until five minutes from the end. The home side had mounted a series of attacks but still could not get through the United rearguard. Hunter came closest but he missed the target from twenty yards.
United's pressure began to tell and when Callaghan beat three men to set up Robertson it looked like the clincher was about to arrive but he fired over. Goodwillie and Kenneth then had chances to finish the contest but both were unlucky. Then with only two minutes remaining Goodwillie started and finished the move that sealed the win. First of all he back heeled the ball to Burnett in his own half and then Burnett, who had replaced McAleenan with fifteen minutes left, burst down the right and found Robertson who in turn played it back to Goodwillie who forced his way into the box before firing past the keeper. A despairing lunge by a defender to prevent the goal only succeeded in deflecting it into the roof of the net.
The match ended in a well deserved 2-0 win for United with Tony Docherty and David Bowman both delighted with the outcome. It was a workmanlike performance with every player playing his part against a strong Dunfermline side.
The first ten minutes were evenly balanced as each side probed for an opening without either seeing a real scoring opportunity and when the first opening was created in the tenth minute it was the home side's McGlinchey who got his shot in but he fired well over the top. A minute later a dangerous United free kick came to nothing as Robertson went early and was caught offside. Andrew then found room to turn and shoot in the six yard box but his effort was saved by the keeper and almost immediately at the other end Ross had his shot blocked on the edge of the box.
On twenty-one minutes the Pars failed to capitalise when the United defence struggled to deal with a cross but United also missed out on a chance when, five minutes later, Andrew was inches away from connecting with a Callaghan free kick from the left. The match flowed from end to end again and then on thirty-six minutes from a hopeful cross into the Dunfermline half, McAleenan managed to control the ball as it dropped and in one movement he turned and executed a lob that dipped over the keeper and into the net. Two minutes later Callaghan launched a great ball from a free kick to the far post where it was met by Gardiner but he powered the header over the top. Right on half time a defensive mix up cost United a free kick when McLean was forced to gather a misplaced pass back. However, the defence stood up to the kick from the corner of the six yard box and the danger passed.
Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Dundee United 1
After the break the match was again end to end stuff with first Phinn firing in a low angled drive that McLean had no trouble gathering and then Robertson screwed a shot high and wide for United. The young Tangerines were then unlucky not to increase their lead when a flick-on from McDonald was cleared of the line and then with ten minutes of the half gone, Goodwillie, who had replaced Andrew only a minute earlier, shot wide from twenty five yards.
Dunfermline were unable to find a final telling ball after some good build-up play and United began to look in control and almost scored in sixty five minutes but Kenneth's header from a corner kick was cleared off the line. The match again ebbed and flowed until five minutes from the end. The home side had mounted a series of attacks but still could not get through the United rearguard. Hunter came closest but he missed the target from twenty yards.
United's pressure began to tell and when Callaghan beat three men to set up Robertson it looked like the clincher was about to arrive but he fired over. Goodwillie and Kenneth then had chances to finish the contest but both were unlucky. Then with only two minutes remaining Goodwillie started and finished the move that sealed the win. First of all he back heeled the ball to Burnett in his own half and then Burnett, who had replaced McAleenan with fifteen minutes left, burst down the right and found Robertson who in turn played it back to Goodwillie who forced his way into the box before firing past the keeper. A despairing lunge by a defender to prevent the goal only succeeded in deflecting it into the roof of the net.
The match ended in a well deserved 2-0 win for United with Tony Docherty and David Bowman both delighted with the outcome. It was a workmanlike performance with every player playing his part against a strong Dunfermline side.
