First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
David Robertson was the hero for United as his injury time strike cancelled out a St Mirren comeback from two goals down, sending the Terrors into a 4th round meeting with Inverness.
After a very low key opening 10 minutes in which neither side created a notable opportunity, St Mirren momentarily thought they had taken a shock lead after a Mark Corcoran Cross was headed into the net by John Sutton, however the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. This scare was followed by a close thing at the other end, as United threatened with a long range Collin Samuel volley which was only narrowly wide of Bullock's right post. With United looking livelier at this stage, much of the home crowd thought their team had gone ahead a minute later when a Lee Mair shot came dangerously close to crossing the line, before Bullock gathered the ball following a goal line scramble. After a period on top United went into a deserved lead after 30 minutes when, after Conway won a free kick at the edge of the box, Barry Robson curled a delightful shot across Bullock's goal and into his top right corner.
In stark contrast to the opening period, the second half got off to a flier and within a minute United were 2-0 ahead. Robson had played a sublime ball down the left wing for Conway to chase, from which the young winger forced a corner. Conway took the kick and swung a high ball to the back post which was met by Garry Kenneth who headed powerfully home from 6 yards. 10 minutes later St Mirren had their best opportunity of the match when John Sutton burst through on the United goal. Stillie did well to force the striker wide, however Sutton still managed to cross the ball into the centre, only for sub Stewart Kean to head over an unguarded net from 6 yards. United went close again in the 59th minute when a Jon Daly header from a Keith Watson cross narrowly missed the right corner then in 63 minutes Samuel passed inside to Mark Kerr at the edge of the box, and the midfielder went close with a chip which just cleared the bar. In 75 minutes St Mirren were given a lifeline when Jon Daly was judged to have fouled Kirk Broadfoot inside the area, with the striker appearing to know little about the challenge. Richard Brittain took the kick and placed the ball confidently into the corner sending Stillie the wrong way. Matters took a turn for the worse for the home with 80 minutes played when the ball fell kindly to John Sutton just inside the area, and he slotted calmly past Stillie to level the game. Sutton had an opportunity late on to put the visitors in the lead, and forced Stillie into a smart block after evading Kenneth at the back post. Despite late St Mirren pressure there was to be an unbelievable ending as David Robertson slammed home a dramatic injury time winner. Samuel did well to keep the ball in play before Conway cut back to the on-rushing Robertson who drilled the ball into the corner of the net from 8 yards out to send the fans behind the goal into raptures and United into the next round.
Full Time Summary: It was relief all round for United after winning a game which they looked in danger of throwing away. After the results of the past two games this was a hugely important victory for Craig Levein and his players, and the confidence gained from the win should serve then players well in the next round.
Man of the Match: Garry Kenneth. He rounded off a solid defensive display with his second goal of the season. Samuel and Conway also stuck to task down either flank and caused plenty of problems, as did Robson who was withdrawn early after taking a knock.
United: Stillie, Mair, Archibald, Kerr, Daly, Robson (c) (Duff, 59), Conway, Kenneth, Samuel, Robertson, Watson (McCracken, 86). Subs not used: McLean, Hunt, Goodwillie.
St Mirren: Bullock, Van Zanten, Broadfoot (c), Millen (Kean, 56), Potter, Lappin (Reid, 71), Sutton, Brittain, Brady, Corcoran, Maxwell. Subs not used: Smith, McCay, McKenna.
Click here for the full match report by Ally Stewart.
After a very low key opening 10 minutes in which neither side created a notable opportunity, St Mirren momentarily thought they had taken a shock lead after a Mark Corcoran Cross was headed into the net by John Sutton, however the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. This scare was followed by a close thing at the other end, as United threatened with a long range Collin Samuel volley which was only narrowly wide of Bullock's right post. With United looking livelier at this stage, much of the home crowd thought their team had gone ahead a minute later when a Lee Mair shot came dangerously close to crossing the line, before Bullock gathered the ball following a goal line scramble. After a period on top United went into a deserved lead after 30 minutes when, after Conway won a free kick at the edge of the box, Barry Robson curled a delightful shot across Bullock's goal and into his top right corner.
In stark contrast to the opening period, the second half got off to a flier and within a minute United were 2-0 ahead. Robson had played a sublime ball down the left wing for Conway to chase, from which the young winger forced a corner. Conway took the kick and swung a high ball to the back post which was met by Garry Kenneth who headed powerfully home from 6 yards. 10 minutes later St Mirren had their best opportunity of the match when John Sutton burst through on the United goal. Stillie did well to force the striker wide, however Sutton still managed to cross the ball into the centre, only for sub Stewart Kean to head over an unguarded net from 6 yards. United went close again in the 59th minute when a Jon Daly header from a Keith Watson cross narrowly missed the right corner then in 63 minutes Samuel passed inside to Mark Kerr at the edge of the box, and the midfielder went close with a chip which just cleared the bar. In 75 minutes St Mirren were given a lifeline when Jon Daly was judged to have fouled Kirk Broadfoot inside the area, with the striker appearing to know little about the challenge. Richard Brittain took the kick and placed the ball confidently into the corner sending Stillie the wrong way. Matters took a turn for the worse for the home with 80 minutes played when the ball fell kindly to John Sutton just inside the area, and he slotted calmly past Stillie to level the game. Sutton had an opportunity late on to put the visitors in the lead, and forced Stillie into a smart block after evading Kenneth at the back post. Despite late St Mirren pressure there was to be an unbelievable ending as David Robertson slammed home a dramatic injury time winner. Samuel did well to keep the ball in play before Conway cut back to the on-rushing Robertson who drilled the ball into the corner of the net from 8 yards out to send the fans behind the goal into raptures and United into the next round.
Full Time Summary: It was relief all round for United after winning a game which they looked in danger of throwing away. After the results of the past two games this was a hugely important victory for Craig Levein and his players, and the confidence gained from the win should serve then players well in the next round.
Man of the Match: Garry Kenneth. He rounded off a solid defensive display with his second goal of the season. Samuel and Conway also stuck to task down either flank and caused plenty of problems, as did Robson who was withdrawn early after taking a knock.
United: Stillie, Mair, Archibald, Kerr, Daly, Robson (c) (Duff, 59), Conway, Kenneth, Samuel, Robertson, Watson (McCracken, 86). Subs not used: McLean, Hunt, Goodwillie.
St Mirren: Bullock, Van Zanten, Broadfoot (c), Millen (Kean, 56), Potter, Lappin (Reid, 71), Sutton, Brittain, Brady, Corcoran, Maxwell. Subs not used: Smith, McCay, McKenna.
Click here for the full match report by Ally Stewart.
