First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
For this afternoon's match at East End Park, coach Tony Docherty's side lined up in the same 4-5-1 formation favoured by the first team :-
McLean - Burnett, Wilkie, Kenneth, Gardiner - Gray, McCord, Robson, Robertson, Easton- Brewster.
In the first half, United dominated without creating too many chances, but were dealt a blow when the Pars scored in only their second foray upfield after 32 minutes and in fortunate circumstances. Firstly Greg Ross looked offside when he scored from close in, but he had been lucky to do so because his first attempt to net Calum Smith's cross saw him embarrassingly almost completely miss the ball before it broke kindly for him to make the most of his good fortune. United's best chance of the opening half came three minutes later when Barry Robson could only get the tip of his boot to a low-driven cross from Willie Easton and the ball drifted wide.
But Tony Doc's men stepped up the ante in the second half: within two minutes of the re-start, Lee Wilkie was unlucky to see Scott Morrison acrobatically nod his downward header from Stan Easton's cross off the line. Having had the better of things, it was all the more galling for David Muir to double the Pars lead ten minutes into the second half with a volley from just outside the box. A switch to 4-4-2 with Robbie Feeney now partnering Craig Brewster - previously ploughing a lone furrow up front - and the arrival of midfielder Marco Andreoni saw United really turn the screw. Youth team players David Gray and Ryan McCord were the players to make way and David Robertson reverted to a midfield role, whilst Stan Easton went out to fill the right spot in midfield.
Almost immediately the Pars defence was sliced open as Andreoni latched on to a Brewster pass only to fire past. And the home defence was again ripped to shreds as Willie Easton ran on to Robbie Feeney's perfectly weighted through ball to stroke the ball past the advancing keeper from just inside the area midway through the second half. Although Euan McLean made a good save from Alan McDonough in a rare counter-attack by the home side after 71 minutes, it was no surprise when United levelled a minute later. Robbie Feeney was again the provider, slipping the ball into the path of Barry Robson whose run at speed took him past two defenders and the goalkeeper to tap into an empty net. With fifteen minutes remaining, Robson ran on to a Brewster head flick, but Roddy McKenzie stood tall to block his attempted chip as United threatened to run away with the game. But the Pars battled back and only two great late stops by Euan McLean prevented Iain Williamson giving Pars a smash and grab win.
Team: McLean, Burnett, Gardiner, McCord (Andreoni 57), Wilkie, Kenneth, Gray (Feeney 57), Robertson, Brewster, Robson, Easton. Subs not used: Gibson, O'Byrne, Pope.
SUMMARY - This East End Park encounter brightened a dank and dull afternoon and there is no doubt the Tannadice men deserved their draw having dominated for long stretches, allowing them to retain their unbeaten record.
Ironically, having got back on level terms and looking as though they would go on and win it, it was the Pars who almost took all three points, but that would have been daylight robbery. One other plus factor was Lee Wilkie coming through the ninety minutes with no apparent ill effects.
Click here for the report by Peter Rundo.
McLean - Burnett, Wilkie, Kenneth, Gardiner - Gray, McCord, Robson, Robertson, Easton- Brewster.
In the first half, United dominated without creating too many chances, but were dealt a blow when the Pars scored in only their second foray upfield after 32 minutes and in fortunate circumstances. Firstly Greg Ross looked offside when he scored from close in, but he had been lucky to do so because his first attempt to net Calum Smith's cross saw him embarrassingly almost completely miss the ball before it broke kindly for him to make the most of his good fortune. United's best chance of the opening half came three minutes later when Barry Robson could only get the tip of his boot to a low-driven cross from Willie Easton and the ball drifted wide.
But Tony Doc's men stepped up the ante in the second half: within two minutes of the re-start, Lee Wilkie was unlucky to see Scott Morrison acrobatically nod his downward header from Stan Easton's cross off the line. Having had the better of things, it was all the more galling for David Muir to double the Pars lead ten minutes into the second half with a volley from just outside the box. A switch to 4-4-2 with Robbie Feeney now partnering Craig Brewster - previously ploughing a lone furrow up front - and the arrival of midfielder Marco Andreoni saw United really turn the screw. Youth team players David Gray and Ryan McCord were the players to make way and David Robertson reverted to a midfield role, whilst Stan Easton went out to fill the right spot in midfield.
Almost immediately the Pars defence was sliced open as Andreoni latched on to a Brewster pass only to fire past. And the home defence was again ripped to shreds as Willie Easton ran on to Robbie Feeney's perfectly weighted through ball to stroke the ball past the advancing keeper from just inside the area midway through the second half. Although Euan McLean made a good save from Alan McDonough in a rare counter-attack by the home side after 71 minutes, it was no surprise when United levelled a minute later. Robbie Feeney was again the provider, slipping the ball into the path of Barry Robson whose run at speed took him past two defenders and the goalkeeper to tap into an empty net. With fifteen minutes remaining, Robson ran on to a Brewster head flick, but Roddy McKenzie stood tall to block his attempted chip as United threatened to run away with the game. But the Pars battled back and only two great late stops by Euan McLean prevented Iain Williamson giving Pars a smash and grab win.
Team: McLean, Burnett, Gardiner, McCord (Andreoni 57), Wilkie, Kenneth, Gray (Feeney 57), Robertson, Brewster, Robson, Easton. Subs not used: Gibson, O'Byrne, Pope.
SUMMARY - This East End Park encounter brightened a dank and dull afternoon and there is no doubt the Tannadice men deserved their draw having dominated for long stretches, allowing them to retain their unbeaten record.
Ironically, having got back on level terms and looking as though they would go on and win it, it was the Pars who almost took all three points, but that would have been daylight robbery. One other plus factor was Lee Wilkie coming through the ninety minutes with no apparent ill effects.
Click here for the report by Peter Rundo.
