First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
It was a day to remember for United, as a 90th minute David Robertson strike ensured they secured their first opening day SPL victory since 1999, this despite the dismissal of Willo Flood in 42 minutes for a second bookable offence.
The early exchanges were mainly in midfield, with two evenly matched teams cancelling each other out to a large extent. The first glimpse of goal came for United when David Robertson had a header towards goal from a Noel hunt flick-on blocked for a corner. The young midfielder then forced a marvellous save from Derek Soutar midway through the half, looping a header from a Craig Conway cross towards the top corner. With United looking increasingly dangerous from cross balls, a massive blow was dealt in the 42nd minute when Willo Flood was dismissed. Following an earlier card for a foul on Jamie Smith, the Irishman picked up his second when referee Mike Tumilty judged that he had taken a dive after breaking from midfield. To most in the ground it was certainly no clear cut decision, however the referee did have a very close view of the incident. Grzegorz Szamotulski came to United's rescue moments later, as he reacted superbly to block a Darren Mackie drive for a corner, ensuring the game stayed level going into half time.
The Tangerines showed they were not intent on simply sitting back and defending, as early on Dillon drove forward from defence and struck a powerful long range effort over the bar after being picked out by Hunt. They did come within a whisker of conceding in the 52nd minute however Szamotulski produced a sublime save, tipping a Barry Nicholson header onto the crossbar when a goal seemed certain. Half time sub Steve Lovell then had another chance shortly after when he found himself with time and space at the edge of the area only to shoot comfortably wide. United had been containing their opponents well at this stage however the next piece of real action was a United attack which almost brought about the opening goal. Robson broke clear from midfield, held off his defender well before angling a low left foot drive towards the bottom corner. Painfully for United the ball rebounded off the inside of the post and away to safety, with Soutar beaten all ends up. Hunt tried again for United with 7 minutes remaining, darting inside 2 defenders before shooting tamely at Soutar from the centre of the box. At the other end Dods was forced to slide in and block Lovell as he tried to make space for a shot inside the box, as both sides sensed at this stage a goal would win it. Robson was replaced by Stuart Duff with 2 minutes remaining, after the captain had picked up a leg knock. Then, as the stadium announcer declared the injury time to be played, there was ecstasy for the Terrors as David Robertson pounced to thrash the ball high into the net from close range after Hunt had lofted the ball into his path.
Full Time Summary: After playing over half the match with 10 men this was an especially satisfying victory for the Tangerines. Despite the disadvantage it was they who created the better chances in the second half and got their just rewards at the end with Robertson's glory goal.
Man of the Match: Not just for his dramatic late winner, but the award goes to David Robertson for a terrific 90 minutes. After producing an outstanding save from Soutar in the first half, the youngster was not to be denied and scored a late winner which will be long remembered by the United faithful.
United: Szamotulski, Dillon, Kalvenes, Dods, Flood, Hunt, Robson (c) (Duff 88), Robertson, Robb (Conway 15) (Buaben 58), Gomis, Kenneth. Subs Not Used: McLean, Proctor, Goodwillie, Russell.
Aberdeen: Soutar, Hart, McNamara (Mair 84), Severin, Jamie Smith, Nicholson, Mackie (Lovell 46), Clark (De Visscher 73), Foster, Miller, Considine. Subs Not Used: Langfield, Diamond, Dan Smith, Maguire.
Attendance: 12496
Referee: Mike Tumilty
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
The early exchanges were mainly in midfield, with two evenly matched teams cancelling each other out to a large extent. The first glimpse of goal came for United when David Robertson had a header towards goal from a Noel hunt flick-on blocked for a corner. The young midfielder then forced a marvellous save from Derek Soutar midway through the half, looping a header from a Craig Conway cross towards the top corner. With United looking increasingly dangerous from cross balls, a massive blow was dealt in the 42nd minute when Willo Flood was dismissed. Following an earlier card for a foul on Jamie Smith, the Irishman picked up his second when referee Mike Tumilty judged that he had taken a dive after breaking from midfield. To most in the ground it was certainly no clear cut decision, however the referee did have a very close view of the incident. Grzegorz Szamotulski came to United's rescue moments later, as he reacted superbly to block a Darren Mackie drive for a corner, ensuring the game stayed level going into half time.
The Tangerines showed they were not intent on simply sitting back and defending, as early on Dillon drove forward from defence and struck a powerful long range effort over the bar after being picked out by Hunt. They did come within a whisker of conceding in the 52nd minute however Szamotulski produced a sublime save, tipping a Barry Nicholson header onto the crossbar when a goal seemed certain. Half time sub Steve Lovell then had another chance shortly after when he found himself with time and space at the edge of the area only to shoot comfortably wide. United had been containing their opponents well at this stage however the next piece of real action was a United attack which almost brought about the opening goal. Robson broke clear from midfield, held off his defender well before angling a low left foot drive towards the bottom corner. Painfully for United the ball rebounded off the inside of the post and away to safety, with Soutar beaten all ends up. Hunt tried again for United with 7 minutes remaining, darting inside 2 defenders before shooting tamely at Soutar from the centre of the box. At the other end Dods was forced to slide in and block Lovell as he tried to make space for a shot inside the box, as both sides sensed at this stage a goal would win it. Robson was replaced by Stuart Duff with 2 minutes remaining, after the captain had picked up a leg knock. Then, as the stadium announcer declared the injury time to be played, there was ecstasy for the Terrors as David Robertson pounced to thrash the ball high into the net from close range after Hunt had lofted the ball into his path.
Full Time Summary: After playing over half the match with 10 men this was an especially satisfying victory for the Tangerines. Despite the disadvantage it was they who created the better chances in the second half and got their just rewards at the end with Robertson's glory goal.
Man of the Match: Not just for his dramatic late winner, but the award goes to David Robertson for a terrific 90 minutes. After producing an outstanding save from Soutar in the first half, the youngster was not to be denied and scored a late winner which will be long remembered by the United faithful.
United: Szamotulski, Dillon, Kalvenes, Dods, Flood, Hunt, Robson (c) (Duff 88), Robertson, Robb (Conway 15) (Buaben 58), Gomis, Kenneth. Subs Not Used: McLean, Proctor, Goodwillie, Russell.
Aberdeen: Soutar, Hart, McNamara (Mair 84), Severin, Jamie Smith, Nicholson, Mackie (Lovell 46), Clark (De Visscher 73), Foster, Miller, Considine. Subs Not Used: Langfield, Diamond, Dan Smith, Maguire.
Attendance: 12496
Referee: Mike Tumilty
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
