First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United and Dunfermline shared the spoils at Glenesk Park on Saturday morning, though it took two outstanding late saves from visiting 'keeper Peter Shaw to prevent United's youngest-ever Under 19 side from grabbing all three points in a spirited finish.
After an early spell in which Dunfermline had more of the ball, a Robbie Feeney break from halfway, taking him past several defenders, led to a corner from which United left back Gordon Pope climbed above everyone to power home a header from David Gray's cross in the 22nd minute.
After 39 minutes, however, the Pars were level as Nick Phinn scored with a sweetly struck shot from just outside the box, and the teams went in level at the break.
In the second period, United, with seven schoolboy players on show, had to defend strongly at times to prevent their older and more experienced visitors from going ahead.
Both Keith Watson and Philip McGrath made outstanding last-ditch tackles to keep their side in the game, but the youthful exuberance of the United team was almost enough to secure them all three points late on.
Pope saw his effort from a McCord free kick well saved then Pars keeper Shaw made two excellent saves in the dying seconds, firstly from a Ryan McCord piledriver and then from a Robbie Feeney shot which looked to be going in at his left post.
In the end a draw was probably a fair result.
United: Gibson; Watson, McGrath, O'Byrne, Pope; Gray (Milligan 63), Burnett, Andreoni (Fleming 76), McAleenan; Feeney, Jeffrey (McCord 63). Sub not used: Russell
Dunfermline: Shaw; Anderson, Armour, Phinn, Kay, Fenwick, Muisin, Muir (Williamson 78), Smith, Cream, Dunn. Subs not used: McDonough, Ogg
After an early spell in which Dunfermline had more of the ball, a Robbie Feeney break from halfway, taking him past several defenders, led to a corner from which United left back Gordon Pope climbed above everyone to power home a header from David Gray's cross in the 22nd minute.
After 39 minutes, however, the Pars were level as Nick Phinn scored with a sweetly struck shot from just outside the box, and the teams went in level at the break.
In the second period, United, with seven schoolboy players on show, had to defend strongly at times to prevent their older and more experienced visitors from going ahead.
Both Keith Watson and Philip McGrath made outstanding last-ditch tackles to keep their side in the game, but the youthful exuberance of the United team was almost enough to secure them all three points late on.
Pope saw his effort from a McCord free kick well saved then Pars keeper Shaw made two excellent saves in the dying seconds, firstly from a Ryan McCord piledriver and then from a Robbie Feeney shot which looked to be going in at his left post.
In the end a draw was probably a fair result.
United: Gibson; Watson, McGrath, O'Byrne, Pope; Gray (Milligan 63), Burnett, Andreoni (Fleming 76), McAleenan; Feeney, Jeffrey (McCord 63). Sub not used: Russell
Dunfermline: Shaw; Anderson, Armour, Phinn, Kay, Fenwick, Muisin, Muir (Williamson 78), Smith, Cream, Dunn. Subs not used: McDonough, Ogg
