First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
The youth team deservedly posted their first win of the season at Beechwood Park, Sauchie, this afternoon. Having said that, it took a last gasp tackle by Kieran McAleenan late on to prevent the Bairns snatching a draw.
Starting brightly, David Goodwillie was just inches off target with a header after only five minutes. There was a blow for Dave Bowman's side ten minutes later when Graham Churchill fired the home side into the lead from close in from a corner. On 26 minutes, United equalised when a Kieran McAleenan free-kick dropped to Jamie Donnelly who finished with aplomb from just a couple of yards out. Eight minutes from the interval, Billy Russell rifled in a 30-yarder that rattled off the bar and, immediately before half-time, David Goodwillie shot past from a David Gray cross as they came back strongly from going behind.
And they didn't have to wait long before getting their noses in front because, right on the resumption, Robbie Feeney forced home a Billy Russell cross. However, two minutes later, only a courageous save by keeper John Gibson when he dived at the feet of Graham Churchill denied Falkirk an equaliser. When Kieran McAleenan drove home from 25 yards, following a well-worked free-kick with David Gray, that first win seemed assured. But a piece of good fortune for the Bairns saw the ball deflected into the path of Scott Gibb to reduce the arrears from close range within a couple of minutes.
From then on United had very much the better of the exchanges, though as mentioned earlier, it was only the heroics of McAleenan that ensured the long awaited three points.
United: Gibson, Flynn, McAleenan, Burnett, Donnelly, Pope, W Russell, Andreoni, Feeney, Goodwillie, Gray. Subs not used: O'Hara, McMechan, Jeffrey, Love, J Russell.
Starting brightly, David Goodwillie was just inches off target with a header after only five minutes. There was a blow for Dave Bowman's side ten minutes later when Graham Churchill fired the home side into the lead from close in from a corner. On 26 minutes, United equalised when a Kieran McAleenan free-kick dropped to Jamie Donnelly who finished with aplomb from just a couple of yards out. Eight minutes from the interval, Billy Russell rifled in a 30-yarder that rattled off the bar and, immediately before half-time, David Goodwillie shot past from a David Gray cross as they came back strongly from going behind.
And they didn't have to wait long before getting their noses in front because, right on the resumption, Robbie Feeney forced home a Billy Russell cross. However, two minutes later, only a courageous save by keeper John Gibson when he dived at the feet of Graham Churchill denied Falkirk an equaliser. When Kieran McAleenan drove home from 25 yards, following a well-worked free-kick with David Gray, that first win seemed assured. But a piece of good fortune for the Bairns saw the ball deflected into the path of Scott Gibb to reduce the arrears from close range within a couple of minutes.
From then on United had very much the better of the exchanges, though as mentioned earlier, it was only the heroics of McAleenan that ensured the long awaited three points.
United: Gibson, Flynn, McAleenan, Burnett, Donnelly, Pope, W Russell, Andreoni, Feeney, Goodwillie, Gray. Subs not used: O'Hara, McMechan, Jeffrey, Love, J Russell.
