First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Two down with five minutes left the Youth Team staging a stunning comeback to salvage a deserved point at the Fleet Grounds, Rosyth on Saturday morning.
But such an exciting finale was out of context with an otherwise exceedingly scrappy game.
An uneven surface and a strong wind didn't make for flowing football and as a result goalmouth action was at a premium.
It was a defensive mix-up in the United defence that brought the only goal of a forgettable first half, Charlie Bradshaw profiting to give the Pars a tenth minute lead.
Five minutes later came the only other noteworthy action of the first period. A Marco Andreoni drive was deflected past and from the resultant corner, Neil McMechan headed over.
Upping the tempo at the start of the second half, the visitors came close to equalising after 52 minutes when a cleverly worked free-kick almost came off. Scott Paterson curled his kick to the edge of the box and Chris Jeffrey steered a volley only a couple of feet wide.
United controlled most of the second period, but without testing Darren Stewart in the Pars goal.
However, with the Pars' first goal attempt of the second half eight minutes from the end, Alan McDonagh fired into the roof of the net from 12 yards after the Tannadice side failed to clear their lines.
Instead of sealing victory, it only spurred Stevie Campbell's side on and with five minutes left, Marco Andreoni was brought down just inside the box and dusted himself down to sink the spot-kick.
Pressing hard now, Andreoni fired over from right in front of goal with two minutes left and with it appeared hopes of rescuing a point, but three minutes into injury time, John Russell rose to head home a Scott Paterson corner at the near post.
Team: Curtis, McMechan, Fleming, McGrath, O'Byrne, Mathieson, Milligan, Andreoni, J Russell, Jeffrey (Watson 74), Paterson. Substitutes: Newman, Gray, O'Hara, Allan.
But such an exciting finale was out of context with an otherwise exceedingly scrappy game.
An uneven surface and a strong wind didn't make for flowing football and as a result goalmouth action was at a premium.
It was a defensive mix-up in the United defence that brought the only goal of a forgettable first half, Charlie Bradshaw profiting to give the Pars a tenth minute lead.
Five minutes later came the only other noteworthy action of the first period. A Marco Andreoni drive was deflected past and from the resultant corner, Neil McMechan headed over.
Upping the tempo at the start of the second half, the visitors came close to equalising after 52 minutes when a cleverly worked free-kick almost came off. Scott Paterson curled his kick to the edge of the box and Chris Jeffrey steered a volley only a couple of feet wide.
United controlled most of the second period, but without testing Darren Stewart in the Pars goal.
However, with the Pars' first goal attempt of the second half eight minutes from the end, Alan McDonagh fired into the roof of the net from 12 yards after the Tannadice side failed to clear their lines.
Instead of sealing victory, it only spurred Stevie Campbell's side on and with five minutes left, Marco Andreoni was brought down just inside the box and dusted himself down to sink the spot-kick.
Pressing hard now, Andreoni fired over from right in front of goal with two minutes left and with it appeared hopes of rescuing a point, but three minutes into injury time, John Russell rose to head home a Scott Paterson corner at the near post.
Team: Curtis, McMechan, Fleming, McGrath, O'Byrne, Mathieson, Milligan, Andreoni, J Russell, Jeffrey (Watson 74), Paterson. Substitutes: Newman, Gray, O'Hara, Allan.
