First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United looked to build on last weekend's stirring performance against Rangers when they took on Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium today. Manager Gordon Chisholm stood by his starting eleven from last weekend. The playing surface looked in tremendous condition as United kicked off.
United started well and looked assured in possession although it was obvious that Falkirk were going to be a dangerous proposition on the break. United threatened the Falkirk goal early and Canero played in David Fernandez on the right. The Spaniard's cross was volleyed goalwards by Brebner and when the ball came back off the post with the keeper beaten, Jim McIntyre was off balance and shot wide. Jim claimed in vain for a corner but the ref just shook his head.
United then found themselves behind after 3 minutes; a long crossfield ball was not cleared allowing Russell Latapy to shoot. Although his shot was initially blocked, the ball ricocheted around in the box before Duffy blasted home from six yards. Much had been made of the questionable character of the United side and it was now going to be a test of the team's mettle.
Mark Kerr was given a predictably unfriendly reception by the home fans and he soon called Glennon into action forcing a save from the keeper. Falkirk looked to hit United on the break and there were loud shouts for a penalty from the home fans as Duffy went down in the box when the United defence looked slow to react to his run.
United continued to dominate both possession and chances and Canero forced Glennon to tip the ball over with a good shot. United had the ball in the net when a Fernandez cross was bundled into the net at the far post by Brebner, but the far side linesman adjudged the midfielder to have been offside. David Fernandez shot over as United held total control of the game but they could not find that elusive goal that their play so deserved.
Mark Kerr almost silenced his critics on the half hour when a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box was touched onto the bar and over by Glennon. Once again, United laid siege to the Falkirk goal but the ball just never seemed to fall kindly for anyone in a tangerine shirt in front of goal.
Barry Robson was booked for a clattering tackle on Lawrie, then the Bairns defender joined him on a yellow card for pulling the winger's shirt.
As United's total dominance continued, a looping header by Peter Canero beat the goalkeeper, then came off the inside of the post to be booted clear.
The second half started much in the same way but after 2 minutes United got that lucky break that had eluded them for the first 45 minutes. The head of Robson met a Brebner cross from the right and his header beat Glennon and struck the underside of the bar. When it looked like another chance had gone begging, the ball struck the goalkeeper and went into the net.
United continued to take the game to the home side and continued to dominate with Fernandez being supplied well by Jim McIntyre. Falkirk were well out of the game and tried to change things with a double substitution. They also continued their attempts to physically intimidate the United side with their play. United maintained the upper hand and Fernandez was played in by Kerr only to have Glennon save well.
As Gordon Chisholm decided to go for it, he replaced the hard working Fernandez with Collin Samuel and the ex-Falkirk man's introduction didn't take long to make an impact. He won a free kick on the right and Robson's delivery was poorly dealt with by Glennon and his weak punch fell to Canero who volleyed home.
The rain, which had fallen for most of the second half, then seemed to dominate for a few minutes as both sides lost their footing.
Mark Kerr went off injured and while United were a man short, they added further to their lead. A Robson cross was knocked down by McIntyre into the path of Samuel who coolly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
United finally had the goals they deserved from their play. The game drew to a close with United continuing to dominate their opponents who by full time looked a tired and disheartened outfit as the tangerine shirts swarmed around them.
Teams:
Falkirk: Glennon, Lawrie, Milne (Scally 60), Hughes, Rodrigues, McStay (McPherson 60), Latapy, Steven Thomson, Lima, Gow (Moutinho 76), Duffy.
Subs Not Used: Ferguson, O'Neil, Twaddle, McSween.
Booked: Lawrie, Steven Thomson, Rodrigues.
Goals: Duffy 3.
Dundee Utd: Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Canero, Kerr, Brebner, Robson, McIntyre (Miller 86), Fernandez (Samuel 68).
Subs Not Used: Samson, McInnes, Duff, Kenneth, Cameron.
Booked: Robson, Ritchie, McCracken.
Goals: Robson 47, Canero 72, Samuel 81.
Click here for the full match report by Grant Letham.
United started well and looked assured in possession although it was obvious that Falkirk were going to be a dangerous proposition on the break. United threatened the Falkirk goal early and Canero played in David Fernandez on the right. The Spaniard's cross was volleyed goalwards by Brebner and when the ball came back off the post with the keeper beaten, Jim McIntyre was off balance and shot wide. Jim claimed in vain for a corner but the ref just shook his head.
United then found themselves behind after 3 minutes; a long crossfield ball was not cleared allowing Russell Latapy to shoot. Although his shot was initially blocked, the ball ricocheted around in the box before Duffy blasted home from six yards. Much had been made of the questionable character of the United side and it was now going to be a test of the team's mettle.
Mark Kerr was given a predictably unfriendly reception by the home fans and he soon called Glennon into action forcing a save from the keeper. Falkirk looked to hit United on the break and there were loud shouts for a penalty from the home fans as Duffy went down in the box when the United defence looked slow to react to his run.
United continued to dominate both possession and chances and Canero forced Glennon to tip the ball over with a good shot. United had the ball in the net when a Fernandez cross was bundled into the net at the far post by Brebner, but the far side linesman adjudged the midfielder to have been offside. David Fernandez shot over as United held total control of the game but they could not find that elusive goal that their play so deserved.
Mark Kerr almost silenced his critics on the half hour when a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box was touched onto the bar and over by Glennon. Once again, United laid siege to the Falkirk goal but the ball just never seemed to fall kindly for anyone in a tangerine shirt in front of goal.
Barry Robson was booked for a clattering tackle on Lawrie, then the Bairns defender joined him on a yellow card for pulling the winger's shirt.
As United's total dominance continued, a looping header by Peter Canero beat the goalkeeper, then came off the inside of the post to be booted clear.
The second half started much in the same way but after 2 minutes United got that lucky break that had eluded them for the first 45 minutes. The head of Robson met a Brebner cross from the right and his header beat Glennon and struck the underside of the bar. When it looked like another chance had gone begging, the ball struck the goalkeeper and went into the net.
United continued to take the game to the home side and continued to dominate with Fernandez being supplied well by Jim McIntyre. Falkirk were well out of the game and tried to change things with a double substitution. They also continued their attempts to physically intimidate the United side with their play. United maintained the upper hand and Fernandez was played in by Kerr only to have Glennon save well.
As Gordon Chisholm decided to go for it, he replaced the hard working Fernandez with Collin Samuel and the ex-Falkirk man's introduction didn't take long to make an impact. He won a free kick on the right and Robson's delivery was poorly dealt with by Glennon and his weak punch fell to Canero who volleyed home.
The rain, which had fallen for most of the second half, then seemed to dominate for a few minutes as both sides lost their footing.
Mark Kerr went off injured and while United were a man short, they added further to their lead. A Robson cross was knocked down by McIntyre into the path of Samuel who coolly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
United finally had the goals they deserved from their play. The game drew to a close with United continuing to dominate their opponents who by full time looked a tired and disheartened outfit as the tangerine shirts swarmed around them.
Teams:
Falkirk: Glennon, Lawrie, Milne (Scally 60), Hughes, Rodrigues, McStay (McPherson 60), Latapy, Steven Thomson, Lima, Gow (Moutinho 76), Duffy.
Subs Not Used: Ferguson, O'Neil, Twaddle, McSween.
Booked: Lawrie, Steven Thomson, Rodrigues.
Goals: Duffy 3.
Dundee Utd: Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Canero, Kerr, Brebner, Robson, McIntyre (Miller 86), Fernandez (Samuel 68).
Subs Not Used: Samson, McInnes, Duff, Kenneth, Cameron.
Booked: Robson, Ritchie, McCracken.
Goals: Robson 47, Canero 72, Samuel 81.
Click here for the full match report by Grant Letham.
