First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United faced Livingston today at Tannadice in a 'must win' game for both sides who are desperate to retain their place in the SPL. United went into the game on a roll, having performed heroically in recent matches against the Old Firm and both Edinburgh sides. Another good turnout by the United faithful led to an optimistic air in the ground in the sunshine.
Livi kicked off the match with Vincze looking as if he had designs on taking control of the game in the early stages. Stuart Duff was the first United player to have a chance at goal but he just couldn't get the ball to settle for his shot. Livi were also keen on testing the United defence and the United wall blocked a free kick by Hassan Kachloul. United's defence got themselves into all sorts of bother when Bullock failed to cut out a cross but his defenders were alert to the danger and got the ball clear.
United started to dominate the midfield and possession, a couple of corners were forced on the right with McKenzie in the Livi goal struggling to dominate his box.
Garry Kenneth played a great long ball to Robson who sent the ball across the face of the goal but the ball had just carried over the by-line.
United top scorer Jim McIntyre was next to try his luck but his shot went well wide when the striker probably had better alternatives available to him.
Livi were still willing to take whatever came their way and a defensive slip nearly cost us dear when Kachloul blasted past.
Grant Brebner fired over after good interplay between Duff and Robson as United continued to dominate the game. This dominance was deserving of a goal and we were not to be denied for long. Garry Kenneth rose to power a header goalwards but ex-United striker Derek Lilley managed to header the ball away from underneath his own crossbar with McKenzie well beaten. The goal was not to be avoided however. A long ball was poorly defended by Bahoken under pressure from Crawford and when Kerr crossed the ball, Crawford sent a great diving header across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. United were in total control and a Stuart Duff shot was beaten away by McKenzie as United looked to press home their advantage.
Half time came with United thoroughly deserving their lead although Livi had shown in glimpses that they were more than capable of snatching something.
The second half started controversially when Jim McIntyre appeared to be fouled as he ran on goal. The referee declined to award a penalty but took no action against McIntyre for diving, when there seemed little reason for the striker to fall down.
Livi were obviously keen to get back on terms as soon as possible and they began to dominate as United dropped off the pace of the game. The roles were now apparently reversed and United were reduced to hitting on the break. Good hold-up play by Crawford played Robson in and McIntyre headed his cross just wide.
Livi's pressure eventually told though, a Kachloul cross evaded Bullock, who was under pressure from Lilley, and Eric Delomeaux was on hand to score from close range.
United seemed to be struggling with the width that Livi had introduced into their play and to counter this, Gordon Chisholm introduced Collin Samuel for Stuart Duff.
United started to regain their earlier superiority and the game began to flow from end to end. Brebner, Samuel and McIntyre all had efforts at goal without success.
To capitalise on their resurgence, United replaced goalscorer Crawford with Jason Scotland to try and secure the win. Barry Robson went close with a free kick from distance before Scotland finished a mazy run through the defence with a shot straight at the keeper who knew little about his save. Collin Samuel sent a great ball across the face of goal towards the onrushing Scotland but the defence somehow cleared.
The United support tried to urge their side on as the final five minutes approached. Bahoken was booked for a brutal challenge on Samuel as he ran clear before McIntyre joined him in the notebook for persistent fouling. Before full time, McKenzie seemed to punch the ball clear from outside his box but Samuel's shot was blocked as the United support protested.
Man of the Match: Paul Ritchie - A solid display from the international defender that went a long way towards blunting the threat of Kachloul.
Dundee Utd: Bullock, Kenneth, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, Brebner, Duff (Samuel 67), Robson, Crawford (Scotland 77), McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Dodds, Grady, Gardiner, Cameron.
Goal: Crawford 37.
Livingston: McKenzie, McNamee, Deloumeaux, Dorado (Rubio 81), Bahoken, Kachloul, Dair, O'Brien, Vincze, Lilley, McMenamin.
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Easton, Brittain, McPake, Horvath, Snodgrass.
Goal: Deloumeaux 61.
Att: 7,687
Ref: K Toner
Read the full match report by Grant Letham.
Livi kicked off the match with Vincze looking as if he had designs on taking control of the game in the early stages. Stuart Duff was the first United player to have a chance at goal but he just couldn't get the ball to settle for his shot. Livi were also keen on testing the United defence and the United wall blocked a free kick by Hassan Kachloul. United's defence got themselves into all sorts of bother when Bullock failed to cut out a cross but his defenders were alert to the danger and got the ball clear.
United started to dominate the midfield and possession, a couple of corners were forced on the right with McKenzie in the Livi goal struggling to dominate his box.
Garry Kenneth played a great long ball to Robson who sent the ball across the face of the goal but the ball had just carried over the by-line.
United top scorer Jim McIntyre was next to try his luck but his shot went well wide when the striker probably had better alternatives available to him.
Livi were still willing to take whatever came their way and a defensive slip nearly cost us dear when Kachloul blasted past.
Grant Brebner fired over after good interplay between Duff and Robson as United continued to dominate the game. This dominance was deserving of a goal and we were not to be denied for long. Garry Kenneth rose to power a header goalwards but ex-United striker Derek Lilley managed to header the ball away from underneath his own crossbar with McKenzie well beaten. The goal was not to be avoided however. A long ball was poorly defended by Bahoken under pressure from Crawford and when Kerr crossed the ball, Crawford sent a great diving header across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. United were in total control and a Stuart Duff shot was beaten away by McKenzie as United looked to press home their advantage.
Half time came with United thoroughly deserving their lead although Livi had shown in glimpses that they were more than capable of snatching something.
The second half started controversially when Jim McIntyre appeared to be fouled as he ran on goal. The referee declined to award a penalty but took no action against McIntyre for diving, when there seemed little reason for the striker to fall down.
Livi were obviously keen to get back on terms as soon as possible and they began to dominate as United dropped off the pace of the game. The roles were now apparently reversed and United were reduced to hitting on the break. Good hold-up play by Crawford played Robson in and McIntyre headed his cross just wide.
Livi's pressure eventually told though, a Kachloul cross evaded Bullock, who was under pressure from Lilley, and Eric Delomeaux was on hand to score from close range.
United seemed to be struggling with the width that Livi had introduced into their play and to counter this, Gordon Chisholm introduced Collin Samuel for Stuart Duff.
United started to regain their earlier superiority and the game began to flow from end to end. Brebner, Samuel and McIntyre all had efforts at goal without success.
To capitalise on their resurgence, United replaced goalscorer Crawford with Jason Scotland to try and secure the win. Barry Robson went close with a free kick from distance before Scotland finished a mazy run through the defence with a shot straight at the keeper who knew little about his save. Collin Samuel sent a great ball across the face of goal towards the onrushing Scotland but the defence somehow cleared.
The United support tried to urge their side on as the final five minutes approached. Bahoken was booked for a brutal challenge on Samuel as he ran clear before McIntyre joined him in the notebook for persistent fouling. Before full time, McKenzie seemed to punch the ball clear from outside his box but Samuel's shot was blocked as the United support protested.
Man of the Match: Paul Ritchie - A solid display from the international defender that went a long way towards blunting the threat of Kachloul.
Dundee Utd: Bullock, Kenneth, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, Brebner, Duff (Samuel 67), Robson, Crawford (Scotland 77), McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Dodds, Grady, Gardiner, Cameron.
Goal: Crawford 37.
Livingston: McKenzie, McNamee, Deloumeaux, Dorado (Rubio 81), Bahoken, Kachloul, Dair, O'Brien, Vincze, Lilley, McMenamin.
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Easton, Brittain, McPake, Horvath, Snodgrass.
Goal: Deloumeaux 61.
Att: 7,687
Ref: K Toner
Read the full match report by Grant Letham.
