First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
After looking comfortable during a first half in which a 41st minute David Robertson goal made the difference, United were made to settle for a draw following a Graham Bayne equaliser with 58 minutes played.
There was an early chance for the hosts when a searching ball by left back Christian Kalvenes was headed beyond Caley keeper Michael Fraser by Jon Daly. Unfortunately for United the Irishman had glanced the ball wide of the left hand post with Fraser left exposed. United came much closer on 13 minutes when a Kalvenes cross was headed back across the six yard box by Daly and Noel Hunt stooped to head toward goal only for Fraser to block well before his defence cleared desperately, with Samuel seemingly ready to pounce. Daly had a couple of headers which Fraser was able to gather comfortably on both occasions before Hunt then had a good opportunity following a ball in from the left, but he could only blaze wildly wide with the ball arriving just too far ahead of him. With the game seemingly heading into half time goalless, United conjured up a goal in the 41st minute. After receiving his initial throw-in back from Dillon, Hunt delivered a fine cross into the danger area which David Robertson glanced superbly into the top corner of the net, moving just ahead of his marker.
After a quiet opening to the second half visiting goalkeeper Fraser was brought back into action in 55 minutes, when he had to turn the ball over the bar after David McCracken had hooked the ball back over his shoulder following a Dillon corner on the right. United were left cursing the missed opportunity three minutes later when Graham Bayne drew Inverness level, rising above the defence to glance a deep Richard Hart free kick beyond Stillie from 12 yards. Straight away United were back on the attack and Daly had a great opportunity at the back of the six yard box from a Kalvenes cross, but his header was blocked by a defender resulting in only a corner. With Inverness becoming far more involved in the game and United struggling to make chances Levein opted for a change of personnel late on with Craig Conway coming on in place of Daly, a move which allowed Hunt to move into the lone striker role. The switch failed to alter the pattern of the game and no further opportunities arose until injury time when a Conway cross from the right evaded the lunge of Noel Hunt and curled beyond the back post, meaning the game ended all square.
Full Time Summary:
In the end it was a disappointing draw from United's point of view after having looked so comfortable in the first half. Credit for this however should go to Inverness, as they became much more involved in the game after the break and managed to restrict United's chances to a minimum, and in the end the draw was probably a fair result.
Man of the Match:
Despite being a doubt for the game, Morgaro Gomis displayed his good alround ability combining a physical presence with assured passing, giving signs that come next season he will be a good asset to the squad.
United: Stillie, Kalvenes, McCracken, Wilkie, Daly (Conway 82), Hunt, Dillon, Cameron, Samuel, Robertson (Duff 76), Gomis.
Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Robson, Easton, Goodwillie.
Inverness: Fraser, Dods, McCaffrey, McBain, Bayne, Hart (Black 86), Duncan, Munro, Hastings, Paateleinen, Rankin.
Subs Not Used: Ridgers, McSwegan, Soane, Sutherland, McAllister, Duff.
Referee: Steve Conroy
Attendance: 5273
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
There was an early chance for the hosts when a searching ball by left back Christian Kalvenes was headed beyond Caley keeper Michael Fraser by Jon Daly. Unfortunately for United the Irishman had glanced the ball wide of the left hand post with Fraser left exposed. United came much closer on 13 minutes when a Kalvenes cross was headed back across the six yard box by Daly and Noel Hunt stooped to head toward goal only for Fraser to block well before his defence cleared desperately, with Samuel seemingly ready to pounce. Daly had a couple of headers which Fraser was able to gather comfortably on both occasions before Hunt then had a good opportunity following a ball in from the left, but he could only blaze wildly wide with the ball arriving just too far ahead of him. With the game seemingly heading into half time goalless, United conjured up a goal in the 41st minute. After receiving his initial throw-in back from Dillon, Hunt delivered a fine cross into the danger area which David Robertson glanced superbly into the top corner of the net, moving just ahead of his marker.
After a quiet opening to the second half visiting goalkeeper Fraser was brought back into action in 55 minutes, when he had to turn the ball over the bar after David McCracken had hooked the ball back over his shoulder following a Dillon corner on the right. United were left cursing the missed opportunity three minutes later when Graham Bayne drew Inverness level, rising above the defence to glance a deep Richard Hart free kick beyond Stillie from 12 yards. Straight away United were back on the attack and Daly had a great opportunity at the back of the six yard box from a Kalvenes cross, but his header was blocked by a defender resulting in only a corner. With Inverness becoming far more involved in the game and United struggling to make chances Levein opted for a change of personnel late on with Craig Conway coming on in place of Daly, a move which allowed Hunt to move into the lone striker role. The switch failed to alter the pattern of the game and no further opportunities arose until injury time when a Conway cross from the right evaded the lunge of Noel Hunt and curled beyond the back post, meaning the game ended all square.
Full Time Summary:
In the end it was a disappointing draw from United's point of view after having looked so comfortable in the first half. Credit for this however should go to Inverness, as they became much more involved in the game after the break and managed to restrict United's chances to a minimum, and in the end the draw was probably a fair result.
Man of the Match:
Despite being a doubt for the game, Morgaro Gomis displayed his good alround ability combining a physical presence with assured passing, giving signs that come next season he will be a good asset to the squad.
United: Stillie, Kalvenes, McCracken, Wilkie, Daly (Conway 82), Hunt, Dillon, Cameron, Samuel, Robertson (Duff 76), Gomis.
Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Robson, Easton, Goodwillie.
Inverness: Fraser, Dods, McCaffrey, McBain, Bayne, Hart (Black 86), Duncan, Munro, Hastings, Paateleinen, Rankin.
Subs Not Used: Ridgers, McSwegan, Soane, Sutherland, McAllister, Duff.
Referee: Steve Conroy
Attendance: 5273
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
