First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United's excellent start to the season continued as a comfortable 2-0 victory saw the team move up to third in the SPL table. A Noel Hunt strike in the first half set them on their way before Jordan Robertson rounded off a good days work in the 68th minute with his first SPL goal just after St Mirren had lost Franco Miranda for a second yellow card.
From the kick off United were straight on the attack and almost had the lead inside 25 seconds as Willo Flood broke from midfield and forced St Mirren keeper Chris Smith to turn his shot over the bar from close range. The next chance for the tangerines came after 12 minutes when, after an interchange with Jordan Robertson, Willo Flood swung in a cross from the left which Noel Hunt headed narrowly over at the back post. United again came close midway through the half when Robson broke clear on the left wing and sent in an inviting early cross which Jordan Robertson headed wide at the near post. The deadlock was finally broken in the 38th minute and it was deservedly United who edged in front. A long clearance from Szamotulski found Sean Dillon with plenty space on the right wing. The Irishman played a neat pass inside to Jordan Robertson who overran the ball slightly whilst cutting inside to make room for the shot. Fortunately for United the ball broke to Noel Hunt in the 6 yard box who showed excellent composure to sidestep goalkeeper Smith and tap the ball into the empty net.
After coming slightly more into the game after half time the visitors were dealt a blow on 66 minutes as they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Franco Miranda for a second bookable offence, a foul from behind on Robson. United wasted no time in capitalising on their advantage as they doubled their lead in 68 minutes. A dangerous Robson corner from the right was cleared to the back edge of the area where sub Steven Robb gathered the ball. The winger whipped in a low cross which Jordan Robertson expertly poked home after nipping in front of Chris Smith. With St Mirren now forced to push out plenty space was being left for the counter attack and Hunt blew a great chance when he blasted wide after being forced away from goal by Chris Smith following a great through ball from Flood. United went within a whisker of making it 3-0 a minute later as this time Robb was sent clean through, with his shot bouncing back off the post having beaten Smith all ends up. Jordan Robertson then drilled the ball towards goal and Robb was only just beaten to the ball by John Potter in the 6 yard box. Robb, looking extremely dangerous, then hit the woodwork for a second time when he volleyed a hanging Dillon cross onto the top of the crossbar from the angle of the 6 yard box. Though not able to add to the scoring United comfortably kept control of the game until full time as they ran out convincing winners.
Full Time Summary: A thoroughly deserved result which sees United leapfrog Hibs and Motherwell into third place in the SPL table. The hosts controlled proceedings but for a short period at the start of the second half, and in the end could have made the result even greater had it not been for some very near things in the second half.
Man of the Match: United's most consistent performer on the day was Willo Flood, who popped up all over the pitch causing plenty problems for the visitors. As the game wore on he seemed to gain in confidence and was at the heart of most of the Tangerines' attacking play.
Teams:
United: Szamotulski, Dillon, Kalvenes (Duff 74), Wilkie, Dods, Flood, Hunt, Robson (Cameron 80), D Robertson (Robb 61), Buaben, J Robertson. Subs Not Used: Mclean, Kerr, Kenneth, Goodwillie.
St Mirren: Smith, Van Zanten, Mason (McGinn 88), Haining, Potter, Murray, Mehmet, Kean, Brady (Birchall 60), Corcoran (McCay 73), Miranda. Subs Not Used: Howard, Reid, Brittain, Docherty.
Attendance: 6128
Referee: Stuart Dougal
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
From the kick off United were straight on the attack and almost had the lead inside 25 seconds as Willo Flood broke from midfield and forced St Mirren keeper Chris Smith to turn his shot over the bar from close range. The next chance for the tangerines came after 12 minutes when, after an interchange with Jordan Robertson, Willo Flood swung in a cross from the left which Noel Hunt headed narrowly over at the back post. United again came close midway through the half when Robson broke clear on the left wing and sent in an inviting early cross which Jordan Robertson headed wide at the near post. The deadlock was finally broken in the 38th minute and it was deservedly United who edged in front. A long clearance from Szamotulski found Sean Dillon with plenty space on the right wing. The Irishman played a neat pass inside to Jordan Robertson who overran the ball slightly whilst cutting inside to make room for the shot. Fortunately for United the ball broke to Noel Hunt in the 6 yard box who showed excellent composure to sidestep goalkeeper Smith and tap the ball into the empty net.
After coming slightly more into the game after half time the visitors were dealt a blow on 66 minutes as they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Franco Miranda for a second bookable offence, a foul from behind on Robson. United wasted no time in capitalising on their advantage as they doubled their lead in 68 minutes. A dangerous Robson corner from the right was cleared to the back edge of the area where sub Steven Robb gathered the ball. The winger whipped in a low cross which Jordan Robertson expertly poked home after nipping in front of Chris Smith. With St Mirren now forced to push out plenty space was being left for the counter attack and Hunt blew a great chance when he blasted wide after being forced away from goal by Chris Smith following a great through ball from Flood. United went within a whisker of making it 3-0 a minute later as this time Robb was sent clean through, with his shot bouncing back off the post having beaten Smith all ends up. Jordan Robertson then drilled the ball towards goal and Robb was only just beaten to the ball by John Potter in the 6 yard box. Robb, looking extremely dangerous, then hit the woodwork for a second time when he volleyed a hanging Dillon cross onto the top of the crossbar from the angle of the 6 yard box. Though not able to add to the scoring United comfortably kept control of the game until full time as they ran out convincing winners.
Full Time Summary: A thoroughly deserved result which sees United leapfrog Hibs and Motherwell into third place in the SPL table. The hosts controlled proceedings but for a short period at the start of the second half, and in the end could have made the result even greater had it not been for some very near things in the second half.
Man of the Match: United's most consistent performer on the day was Willo Flood, who popped up all over the pitch causing plenty problems for the visitors. As the game wore on he seemed to gain in confidence and was at the heart of most of the Tangerines' attacking play.
Teams:
United: Szamotulski, Dillon, Kalvenes (Duff 74), Wilkie, Dods, Flood, Hunt, Robson (Cameron 80), D Robertson (Robb 61), Buaben, J Robertson. Subs Not Used: Mclean, Kerr, Kenneth, Goodwillie.
St Mirren: Smith, Van Zanten, Mason (McGinn 88), Haining, Potter, Murray, Mehmet, Kean, Brady (Birchall 60), Corcoran (McCay 73), Miranda. Subs Not Used: Howard, Reid, Brittain, Docherty.
Attendance: 6128
Referee: Stuart Dougal
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
