First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United tonight secured a deserved three points and in doing so edged closer to a top six place. All the goals came in an eventful first half with Collin Samuel and Barry Robson netting for the Terrors, while Scott Wilson responded for Dunfermline.
The first quarter of the game belonged to United with Samuel, Canero and McIntyre all threatening to break the Dunfermline rearguard. The opening goal came on 24 minutes and it was a strike which was both simple and breath-taking at the same time. A long kick by Stillie was flicked on by McIntyre and, composed as you like, Samuel lifted the ball over the on rushing keeper Allan McGregor and into the net.
Instead of lifting the home side however the goal served to fire up Dunfermline who were level again within 6 minutes. A free kick wide on the right by Lee Makel was headed powerfully home by Scott Wilson. It almost got worse for the Tangerines moments later, however the defence were able to just do enough to prevent Andy Tod netting from close range. Five minutes before half time United were back in front after Greg Shields handed Robson a set piece opportunity for a foul on Samuel. The winger curled in a shot from the right side of the box which crept into the bottom left corner, with visiting goalkeeper McGregor looking slow to react.
Unbelievably, the hosts almost surrendered the lead again minutes later when Mark Burchill was put clean through. Stillie saved superbly with his feet but the ball deflected off Mark Wilson and headed back towards goal, with the youngster just able to recover and hook away to safety.
Just on half time, United almost increased their lead twice. Once, when a Grant Brebner net bound thunderbolt was deflected off the head of a defender, onto the keeper and over the bar. Then, from the resultant corner, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball hit the woodwork.
The second period was less plentiful in the way of goalmouth incident as United attempted to see out the game. Most efforts on goal came from distance, the best of which being a Lee Makel thunderbolt which Stillie did well to parry clear. With 20 minutes left a mix up in the United area almost allowed Noel Hunt to level for the Pars but Alan Archibald was able to block before a clearance was made by Ritchie. The closest Dunfermline came to a goal thereafter was when Derek Young latched onto a ball in the box forcing Stillie to save point blank, however the effort wouldn't have stood in any case as a linesman's flag was raised. Despite the board showing there were to be 4 minutes of stoppage time, United held firm and secured a vital second home win on the bounce.
Summary: Despite a nervy second period United were worthy winners in a keenly fought contest. The home side displayed that bit more in the way of creativity, particularly in the first half, and were only troubled on a couple of occasions during a second period in which they showed a tendency to sit deeper. The win also leaves United nicely poised to mount a claim for a place in the top half.
Man of the Match: Collin Samuel. Always willing to try and beat defenders and linked well with strike partner McIntyre - superbly highlighted with that first half goal.
Dundee Utd: Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Canero (Duff 68), Kerr, Brebner (Miller 74), Robson (McInnes 83), Samuel, McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Samson, Kenneth, Fernandez, Goodwillie.
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
The first quarter of the game belonged to United with Samuel, Canero and McIntyre all threatening to break the Dunfermline rearguard. The opening goal came on 24 minutes and it was a strike which was both simple and breath-taking at the same time. A long kick by Stillie was flicked on by McIntyre and, composed as you like, Samuel lifted the ball over the on rushing keeper Allan McGregor and into the net.
Instead of lifting the home side however the goal served to fire up Dunfermline who were level again within 6 minutes. A free kick wide on the right by Lee Makel was headed powerfully home by Scott Wilson. It almost got worse for the Tangerines moments later, however the defence were able to just do enough to prevent Andy Tod netting from close range. Five minutes before half time United were back in front after Greg Shields handed Robson a set piece opportunity for a foul on Samuel. The winger curled in a shot from the right side of the box which crept into the bottom left corner, with visiting goalkeeper McGregor looking slow to react.
Unbelievably, the hosts almost surrendered the lead again minutes later when Mark Burchill was put clean through. Stillie saved superbly with his feet but the ball deflected off Mark Wilson and headed back towards goal, with the youngster just able to recover and hook away to safety.
Just on half time, United almost increased their lead twice. Once, when a Grant Brebner net bound thunderbolt was deflected off the head of a defender, onto the keeper and over the bar. Then, from the resultant corner, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball hit the woodwork.
The second period was less plentiful in the way of goalmouth incident as United attempted to see out the game. Most efforts on goal came from distance, the best of which being a Lee Makel thunderbolt which Stillie did well to parry clear. With 20 minutes left a mix up in the United area almost allowed Noel Hunt to level for the Pars but Alan Archibald was able to block before a clearance was made by Ritchie. The closest Dunfermline came to a goal thereafter was when Derek Young latched onto a ball in the box forcing Stillie to save point blank, however the effort wouldn't have stood in any case as a linesman's flag was raised. Despite the board showing there were to be 4 minutes of stoppage time, United held firm and secured a vital second home win on the bounce.
Summary: Despite a nervy second period United were worthy winners in a keenly fought contest. The home side displayed that bit more in the way of creativity, particularly in the first half, and were only troubled on a couple of occasions during a second period in which they showed a tendency to sit deeper. The win also leaves United nicely poised to mount a claim for a place in the top half.
Man of the Match: Collin Samuel. Always willing to try and beat defenders and linked well with strike partner McIntyre - superbly highlighted with that first half goal.
Dundee Utd: Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Canero (Duff 68), Kerr, Brebner (Miller 74), Robson (McInnes 83), Samuel, McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Samson, Kenneth, Fernandez, Goodwillie.
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
