First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Three second half goals gave United a convincing victory at Love Street today. Strikes from David Robertson, Noel Hunt and Willo Flood secured three points against a lacklustre St Mirren side that ended the game with 10 men.
The first half was poor and neither goalkeeper, including Euan McLean who was in the side instead of the departing Szamotulski, had anything to do. The best chance of the half fell to United midfielder David Robertson. A high hanging cross to the back post was headed down by Garry Kenneth into the path of his defensive partner Darren Dods. His powerful strike was saved by the keeper but with the goal gaping and the ball at his feet, Robertson somehow managed to shoot high and wide from six yards out.
Robertson atoned for this error just four minutes into the second half. Skipper Barry Robson fired a cross into the box where three United players arrived unmarked. Stretching at the back post, Robertson somehow managed to get his foot to the ball and guide it into the top corner.
United were now well in control and could have doubled their lead in 63 minutes when a low ball across goal from Willo Flood was inches away from finding Noel Hunt who would have had a simple finish.
Prince Buaben then had a couple of chances. The first saw his side-footed shot go well wide. Ten minutes later he found himself through on goal after a neat flick from Hunt. Buaben advanced on Chris Smith in the St Mirren goal but the keeper was able to get a hand to his shot and turn the ball round the post.
The second goal finally arrived in the 76th minute. Willo Flood played a teasing ball in from a free kick 10 yards outside the box. Darren Dods got his head to the ball and it eventually found its way to Noel Hunt at the back post who was able to tap it in from just inches out.
St Mirren's day then got worse when they were reduced to 10 men. Having already been booked for a body check on Flood, Hugh Murray then saw a second yellow and a mandatory red after bringing down Barry Robson 10 yards outside the St Mirren area.
The resultant free kick from Robson forced Smith to parry the ball into the feet of Buaben but he somehow managed to fall over his own man just yards from an open goal and the danger was cleared.
United rounded off an electrifying second half performance with a third in the last minute. Gomis picked up the ball on the left and cut inside. Beating two men on the edge of the box, he unselfishly laid the ball into the path of Willo Flood who fired an unstoppable right foot rocket into the far corner of the net.
Manager Craig Levein said the most pleasing aspect of the game was the way the team played in the second half. "We were more like ourselves today," he said.
Man of the match:
Everything United were creating seemed to come through Morgaro Gomis at some point. He held the ball up excellently and passed accurately. His crowning glory was a terrific jinking run that set up Willo Flood for the final goal.
Teams
St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Reid, Mason, Murray, Mehmet, Corcoran, Maxwell, Miranda (Molloy 65), McGinn (Kean 57), Millen
Unused subs: Howard, Potter, Burke, Brady, McCay
United: McLean, Dillon, Dods, Flood, Hunt, Robson, D Robertson (Kerr 79), Gomis, Kenneth, Buaben, Duff
Unused subs: Szamotulski, Conway, Cameron, J Robertson, McCord, Dow
Referee: Craig Thomson
Attendance: 3,490
Click here for the full report by Ross Burns.
The first half was poor and neither goalkeeper, including Euan McLean who was in the side instead of the departing Szamotulski, had anything to do. The best chance of the half fell to United midfielder David Robertson. A high hanging cross to the back post was headed down by Garry Kenneth into the path of his defensive partner Darren Dods. His powerful strike was saved by the keeper but with the goal gaping and the ball at his feet, Robertson somehow managed to shoot high and wide from six yards out.
Robertson atoned for this error just four minutes into the second half. Skipper Barry Robson fired a cross into the box where three United players arrived unmarked. Stretching at the back post, Robertson somehow managed to get his foot to the ball and guide it into the top corner.
United were now well in control and could have doubled their lead in 63 minutes when a low ball across goal from Willo Flood was inches away from finding Noel Hunt who would have had a simple finish.
Prince Buaben then had a couple of chances. The first saw his side-footed shot go well wide. Ten minutes later he found himself through on goal after a neat flick from Hunt. Buaben advanced on Chris Smith in the St Mirren goal but the keeper was able to get a hand to his shot and turn the ball round the post.
The second goal finally arrived in the 76th minute. Willo Flood played a teasing ball in from a free kick 10 yards outside the box. Darren Dods got his head to the ball and it eventually found its way to Noel Hunt at the back post who was able to tap it in from just inches out.
St Mirren's day then got worse when they were reduced to 10 men. Having already been booked for a body check on Flood, Hugh Murray then saw a second yellow and a mandatory red after bringing down Barry Robson 10 yards outside the St Mirren area.
The resultant free kick from Robson forced Smith to parry the ball into the feet of Buaben but he somehow managed to fall over his own man just yards from an open goal and the danger was cleared.
United rounded off an electrifying second half performance with a third in the last minute. Gomis picked up the ball on the left and cut inside. Beating two men on the edge of the box, he unselfishly laid the ball into the path of Willo Flood who fired an unstoppable right foot rocket into the far corner of the net.
Manager Craig Levein said the most pleasing aspect of the game was the way the team played in the second half. "We were more like ourselves today," he said.
Man of the match:
Everything United were creating seemed to come through Morgaro Gomis at some point. He held the ball up excellently and passed accurately. His crowning glory was a terrific jinking run that set up Willo Flood for the final goal.
Teams
St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Reid, Mason, Murray, Mehmet, Corcoran, Maxwell, Miranda (Molloy 65), McGinn (Kean 57), Millen
Unused subs: Howard, Potter, Burke, Brady, McCay
United: McLean, Dillon, Dods, Flood, Hunt, Robson, D Robertson (Kerr 79), Gomis, Kenneth, Buaben, Duff
Unused subs: Szamotulski, Conway, Cameron, J Robertson, McCord, Dow
Referee: Craig Thomson
Attendance: 3,490
Click here for the full report by Ross Burns.
