First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Once again United failed to hold on to an early lead and can consider themselves fortunate to have come away from today's match at East End Park with a point.
United boss Craig Brewster made two changes from the team that lost last week against ICT. Charlie Mulgrew was out through injury and, with Derek McInnes relegated to the bench, Lee Mair and David Robertson were added to the starting line-up. Dunfermline were obviously still smarting from last week's defeat at the hands of Celtic with their mascot giving out 'After Eights' prior to kick-off.
The game started quite cagily with both sides eager not to make mistakes. United though looked more confident and assertive with Barry Robson going close and a deep cross by Lee Mair being put behind for a corner.
United drew first blood when Fernandez enticed his man into a needless foul near the corner flag. The resulting free kick by Robson was met by Kenneth who powered a great header across the goal past the stranded McGregor. It was a great way for the defender to mark his return to the first team after only seven minutes.
Defensive frailty seemed keen to take the shine off the promising start and Derek Stillie was almost caught out when he tried to usher the ball behind for a goal kick; fortunately the Pars were unable to take advantage. United reacted positively to the scare and Brebner had a shot blocked after good play by Robertson and Fernandez.
United continued to be the more positive team, but like so many times this season they shot themselves in the foot. As a United attack broke down, the ball was quickly played forward to Hunt. For some reason, United keeper Derek Stillie rushed out from his line but the Irish striker got a cross over that was bundled into the net by the breaking Mark Burchill. It was hardly deserved and came from a chance at the other end.
A great cross by Robson was well knocked down by Robertson but there were no takers as United showed they wanted to regain the lead quickly. Mark Kerr was next to have a go but unfortunately his shot was right at McGregor, then Robertson was unlucky not to get his head to a Robson knock down after a good cross by Fernandez. The debut man went close again after showing great skill and good interplay with Fernandez but McGregor took the ball from his toes as he looked to shoot. As the half drew to a close, United forced a succession of corners and McGregor looked unconvincing as the pressure mounted.
Dunfermline were still dangerous on the break and Burchill brought a decent save from Stillie as the United defence struggled with the pace of him and strike partner Noel Hunt.
The second half began with the home side looking far more adventurous than they had been in the first. Lee Mair had a poor defensive header which fell to Burchill who brought another save from Stillie. United seemed reticent to take their early warning and Darren Young was next to be denied when Brebner booted a netbound header off the line.
Robson and Kerr had efforts blocked as the players tried to give the travelling support something to shout about but Dunfermline continued to dominate the game with United being restricted to attacking on the break.
As the game drew to a close, Collin Samuel was introduced for the tiring Fernandez - a move not popular with the fans.
Dunfermline should have secured the points with ease but both Daquin and Tod failed to hit the target with golden opportunities.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day from the United support was for referee John Underhill when he finally awarded United a free kick after a succession of decisions that had enraged the travelling support.
The two added minutes brought little but extra chill to the travelling Arabs - the only thing of note being an acrobatic Lee Miller effort that just stayed at the corner flag!
Teams:
Dunfermline: McGregor, Labonte, Shields, Tod, Zambernardi, Craig Wilson (Daquin 72), Darren Young, Simmons (Ross 56), Muirhead, Burchill (Tarachulski 82), Hunt.
Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Donnelly, Iain Campbell, Andy Campbell.
Goals: Burchill 14.
Dundee Utd: Stillie, Duff, Kenneth, Archibald, Mair, Robertson, Kerr, Brebner, Robson, Miller, Fernandez (Samuel 75).
Subs Not Used: Samson, Abbot, Gardiner, McInnes, Cameron, Goodwillie.
Goals: Kenneth 7.
Att: 4,694
Referee: John Underhill
Click here for the full report by Grant Letham.
United boss Craig Brewster made two changes from the team that lost last week against ICT. Charlie Mulgrew was out through injury and, with Derek McInnes relegated to the bench, Lee Mair and David Robertson were added to the starting line-up. Dunfermline were obviously still smarting from last week's defeat at the hands of Celtic with their mascot giving out 'After Eights' prior to kick-off.
The game started quite cagily with both sides eager not to make mistakes. United though looked more confident and assertive with Barry Robson going close and a deep cross by Lee Mair being put behind for a corner.
United drew first blood when Fernandez enticed his man into a needless foul near the corner flag. The resulting free kick by Robson was met by Kenneth who powered a great header across the goal past the stranded McGregor. It was a great way for the defender to mark his return to the first team after only seven minutes.
Defensive frailty seemed keen to take the shine off the promising start and Derek Stillie was almost caught out when he tried to usher the ball behind for a goal kick; fortunately the Pars were unable to take advantage. United reacted positively to the scare and Brebner had a shot blocked after good play by Robertson and Fernandez.
United continued to be the more positive team, but like so many times this season they shot themselves in the foot. As a United attack broke down, the ball was quickly played forward to Hunt. For some reason, United keeper Derek Stillie rushed out from his line but the Irish striker got a cross over that was bundled into the net by the breaking Mark Burchill. It was hardly deserved and came from a chance at the other end.
A great cross by Robson was well knocked down by Robertson but there were no takers as United showed they wanted to regain the lead quickly. Mark Kerr was next to have a go but unfortunately his shot was right at McGregor, then Robertson was unlucky not to get his head to a Robson knock down after a good cross by Fernandez. The debut man went close again after showing great skill and good interplay with Fernandez but McGregor took the ball from his toes as he looked to shoot. As the half drew to a close, United forced a succession of corners and McGregor looked unconvincing as the pressure mounted.
Dunfermline were still dangerous on the break and Burchill brought a decent save from Stillie as the United defence struggled with the pace of him and strike partner Noel Hunt.
The second half began with the home side looking far more adventurous than they had been in the first. Lee Mair had a poor defensive header which fell to Burchill who brought another save from Stillie. United seemed reticent to take their early warning and Darren Young was next to be denied when Brebner booted a netbound header off the line.
Robson and Kerr had efforts blocked as the players tried to give the travelling support something to shout about but Dunfermline continued to dominate the game with United being restricted to attacking on the break.
As the game drew to a close, Collin Samuel was introduced for the tiring Fernandez - a move not popular with the fans.
Dunfermline should have secured the points with ease but both Daquin and Tod failed to hit the target with golden opportunities.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day from the United support was for referee John Underhill when he finally awarded United a free kick after a succession of decisions that had enraged the travelling support.
The two added minutes brought little but extra chill to the travelling Arabs - the only thing of note being an acrobatic Lee Miller effort that just stayed at the corner flag!
Teams:
Dunfermline: McGregor, Labonte, Shields, Tod, Zambernardi, Craig Wilson (Daquin 72), Darren Young, Simmons (Ross 56), Muirhead, Burchill (Tarachulski 82), Hunt.
Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Donnelly, Iain Campbell, Andy Campbell.
Goals: Burchill 14.
Dundee Utd: Stillie, Duff, Kenneth, Archibald, Mair, Robertson, Kerr, Brebner, Robson, Miller, Fernandez (Samuel 75).
Subs Not Used: Samson, Abbot, Gardiner, McInnes, Cameron, Goodwillie.
Goals: Kenneth 7.
Att: 4,694
Referee: John Underhill
Click here for the full report by Grant Letham.
