First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
A last-gasp strike from new signing Jordan Robertson dispatched Second Division Ross County 2-1 in a hard fought encounter to reach the last sixteen of the CIS Insurance League Cup.
Noel Hunt's well-taken second-half penalty should have been enough for the home side, but with thirteen minutes remaining The Staggies showed their reserve as Andy Barrowman nodded home from close range to level the tie.
Ross County had already tasted success in the City of Discovery this year, having knocked Dundee out of the Challenge Cup in the first round earlier this month. But just as it looked as though United would require extra-time to avoid a similar fate, a composed finish from Jordan Robertson, who is on loan until the end of the season from Sheffield United, sent United into the Third Round.
In an uneventful opening period, Willo Flood's curling 25 yard free-kick in the sixth minute was the only real test for the Ross County keeper. But as the ball crept low towards Tony Bullock's near post, the former United stopper got down well to palm the ball wide.
Both sides displayed some excellent build-up play in midfield with neat passing, but much of the first forty-five was spent shadow boxing as the final ball rarely resulted in any goal mouth action.
Thankfully for the 3,000-plus fans in attendance, the second-half provided more in the way of entertainment.
Midfield pair Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben both fired long-range efforts towards Bullock's goal early in the second-half. Gomis's 25 yard effort, however, was fired high and wide, while Buaben's lacked any real venom and was easily collected by the keeper.
The deadlock was broken in the 65th minute, however, when Garry Kenneth played a pinpoint cross field pass to Christian Kalvenes. The Norwegian combined with Flood to send the ball into the path of Jordon Robertson, whose quick feet left Mark McCulloch no choice but to muscle the 19-year-old off the ball.
Referee Crawford Allan awarded United their third penalty in two games for the body check, and Noel Hunt stepped up to drill the ball into the top right hand corner of the net, leaving Bullock no chance.
United threatened to put the game beyond County just moments later, when Flood and Jordan Robertson linked up down the left wing. Robertson jinked past the defence to unleash a shot on goal, but Bullock saved comfortably.
From Bullock's resultant kick, County almost levelled the game. Sean Higgins played the ball into the United box, and, with his back to the goal, Andy Barrowman turned brilliantly to fire a stinging shot at point blank range towards the United goal. Fortunately, Szamotulski pulled off a superb one handed save to keep United in the lead.
However, in the 77th minute, County did manage to forge their way back into the tie. Noel Hunt found himself in the referee's book after conceding a free kick deep inside the United half. From there, Derek Adams swung the ball towards Szamotulski's back post, but as the Pole came to collect, Andy Dowie knocked the ball back across gaol and Barrowman bundled the ball into an empty net from close range.
But as both sides looked resigned to a further 30 minutes of football to seal their cup fate, David Robertson collected the ball in the United half and broke forward with quick passes to Gomis and Flood, eventually finding Kalvenes in acres of space down the right wing. His perfectly weighted cross was controlled on the chest by Jordan Robertson, who slammed the ball home with his left foot from eight yards to seal his debut with a winning goal and ensure Dundee United will be in Thursday's Third Round draw.
Teams:
Dundee United: Szamotulski, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Kalvenes, Gomis, Buaben (Kerr 72), D Robertson, Flood, Hunt, J Robertson.
Subs Not Used: McLean, Wilkie, Duff, Goodwillie.
Ross County: Bullock, McCulloch (Petrie 90), Golabek, Dowie, Keddie, Scott (Moore 90), Anderson (Brady 81), Adams, Barrowman, Higgins, Campbell.
Referee: Crawford Allan
Attendance: 3,114
Click here for the full report by Craig MacLagan.
Noel Hunt's well-taken second-half penalty should have been enough for the home side, but with thirteen minutes remaining The Staggies showed their reserve as Andy Barrowman nodded home from close range to level the tie.
Ross County had already tasted success in the City of Discovery this year, having knocked Dundee out of the Challenge Cup in the first round earlier this month. But just as it looked as though United would require extra-time to avoid a similar fate, a composed finish from Jordan Robertson, who is on loan until the end of the season from Sheffield United, sent United into the Third Round.
In an uneventful opening period, Willo Flood's curling 25 yard free-kick in the sixth minute was the only real test for the Ross County keeper. But as the ball crept low towards Tony Bullock's near post, the former United stopper got down well to palm the ball wide.
Both sides displayed some excellent build-up play in midfield with neat passing, but much of the first forty-five was spent shadow boxing as the final ball rarely resulted in any goal mouth action.
Thankfully for the 3,000-plus fans in attendance, the second-half provided more in the way of entertainment.
Midfield pair Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben both fired long-range efforts towards Bullock's goal early in the second-half. Gomis's 25 yard effort, however, was fired high and wide, while Buaben's lacked any real venom and was easily collected by the keeper.
The deadlock was broken in the 65th minute, however, when Garry Kenneth played a pinpoint cross field pass to Christian Kalvenes. The Norwegian combined with Flood to send the ball into the path of Jordon Robertson, whose quick feet left Mark McCulloch no choice but to muscle the 19-year-old off the ball.
Referee Crawford Allan awarded United their third penalty in two games for the body check, and Noel Hunt stepped up to drill the ball into the top right hand corner of the net, leaving Bullock no chance.
United threatened to put the game beyond County just moments later, when Flood and Jordan Robertson linked up down the left wing. Robertson jinked past the defence to unleash a shot on goal, but Bullock saved comfortably.
From Bullock's resultant kick, County almost levelled the game. Sean Higgins played the ball into the United box, and, with his back to the goal, Andy Barrowman turned brilliantly to fire a stinging shot at point blank range towards the United goal. Fortunately, Szamotulski pulled off a superb one handed save to keep United in the lead.
However, in the 77th minute, County did manage to forge their way back into the tie. Noel Hunt found himself in the referee's book after conceding a free kick deep inside the United half. From there, Derek Adams swung the ball towards Szamotulski's back post, but as the Pole came to collect, Andy Dowie knocked the ball back across gaol and Barrowman bundled the ball into an empty net from close range.
But as both sides looked resigned to a further 30 minutes of football to seal their cup fate, David Robertson collected the ball in the United half and broke forward with quick passes to Gomis and Flood, eventually finding Kalvenes in acres of space down the right wing. His perfectly weighted cross was controlled on the chest by Jordan Robertson, who slammed the ball home with his left foot from eight yards to seal his debut with a winning goal and ensure Dundee United will be in Thursday's Third Round draw.
Teams:
Dundee United: Szamotulski, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Kalvenes, Gomis, Buaben (Kerr 72), D Robertson, Flood, Hunt, J Robertson.
Subs Not Used: McLean, Wilkie, Duff, Goodwillie.
Ross County: Bullock, McCulloch (Petrie 90), Golabek, Dowie, Keddie, Scott (Moore 90), Anderson (Brady 81), Adams, Barrowman, Higgins, Campbell.
Referee: Crawford Allan
Attendance: 3,114
Click here for the full report by Craig MacLagan.
