First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Goals from Barry Robson and Craig Conway gave United a convincing victory at Rugby Park this afternoon despite a late strike from Gary Wales for the home side.
In swirling rain, Robson put United a goal up after 30 minutes with a rare right-foot finish. He then turned provider midway through the second half when his cross was headed into an empty net by Conway. With eight minutes to go, ex-United man David Fernandez played in Wales and he shot low into the net from the centre of the area but United held on for a deserved victory and strengthened their grip on third spot in the SPL.
Lukasz Zaluska finally made his competitive debut for United but he had little to do in the first half. United had the bulk of the possession but both teams forced several corners without really creating any clear goal-scoring opportunities. Morgaro Gomis tried his luck from 35 yards with a low shot on a slick pitch after 24 minutes but Combe pushed the ball wide.
Skipper Robson then provided United with the opening goal. Good work from Noel Hunt allowed the Irishman to find Robson at the backpost with a fine pass. Despite the best efforts of Frazer Wright and the on-rushing Combe, Robson was able to control the ball and somehow squeeze a low right-foot shot past the 'keeper and into the bottom of the net from just a few yards out.
Kilmarnock tried to hit back immediately but a speculative half volley from Danny Invincible flew well past Zaluska's left-hand post.
The home side thought they had equalised after 37 minutes when centre back Simon Ford headed the ball into the net after United failed to clear a Garry Hay corner. However, referee Kenny Clark spotted his assistant's flag and the goal was chopped off for offside.
The final two chances of the first half fell to United. Robson battled well to win the ball in midfield before playing in Noel Hunt. The striker advanced on goal but took the ball too far wide. He did managed to get a shot in from a tight angle but it was parried by Combe and cleared to safety.
Sean Dillon then came close. A Craig Conway in-swinging corner found Dillon in the centre of the box and his downward header bounced up and was heading for the top corner of the net when Combe managed to get a hand to it and turn it over.
Half-time saw Killie make two changes with Gibson and Wales coming on for Di Giacomo and Johnston. Craig Levein also made a change with Prince Buaben replacing Morgaro Gomis.
United could have gone two ahead after 49 minutes when a Barry Robson cross was clawed off the line by Combe with Conway waiting to pounce.
Conway was not to be a denied the goal that his excellent performance deserved, however. An neat passing move from United on 66 minutes saw the ball move from left wing to right wing via Buaben, Kerr and Dillon. Robson then whipped in a left-foot cross that eluded both Alan Combe and Martyn Corrigan, who collided with each other, allowing Conway the simple task of heading into an empty net at the far post.
Ex-United man David Fernandez was then brought into the play and he set up Killie's goal after 82 minutes. Holding the ball up well, he teed it up for Gary Wales who fired a low shot past Zaluska from the centre of the box.
Previously lacklustre Kilmarnock now sensed a point and mounted a late flurry but despite a couple of late corners, United never looked like conceding another. With three minutes to go, new signing Mark De Vries replaced Craig Conway to the delight of the travelling Arabs. With little time to get into the game, the big striker still managed to show a few useful touches and looked an imposing figure up front as United played out the final few minutes to secure the three points.
Man of the match: Barry Robson. He scored one and set up the other. He showed a neatness of touch on a slippery surface and always looked hungry for the ball. Honourable mention to fellow goalscorer Craig Conway who was a continuous thorn in the Kilmarnock defence with his excellent running and crossing.
Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Frazer Wright, Ford, Hay, Hamill, Corrigan, Johnston (Gibson 46), Bryson (Fernandez 67), Di Giacomo (Wales 46), Invincibile. Subs Not Used: Harpur, Locke, Taouil, O'Leary.
Goal: Wales 82.
Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Grainger, Flood, Gomis (Buaben 46), Kerr, Robson, Hunt, Conway (De Vries 88). Subs Not Used: McLean, Swanson, Kovacevic, Odhiambo, Milligan.
Goals: Robson 31, Conway 66.
Att: 4,803
Ref: K Clark
Click here for the full report by Ross Burns.
In swirling rain, Robson put United a goal up after 30 minutes with a rare right-foot finish. He then turned provider midway through the second half when his cross was headed into an empty net by Conway. With eight minutes to go, ex-United man David Fernandez played in Wales and he shot low into the net from the centre of the area but United held on for a deserved victory and strengthened their grip on third spot in the SPL.
Lukasz Zaluska finally made his competitive debut for United but he had little to do in the first half. United had the bulk of the possession but both teams forced several corners without really creating any clear goal-scoring opportunities. Morgaro Gomis tried his luck from 35 yards with a low shot on a slick pitch after 24 minutes but Combe pushed the ball wide.
Skipper Robson then provided United with the opening goal. Good work from Noel Hunt allowed the Irishman to find Robson at the backpost with a fine pass. Despite the best efforts of Frazer Wright and the on-rushing Combe, Robson was able to control the ball and somehow squeeze a low right-foot shot past the 'keeper and into the bottom of the net from just a few yards out.
Kilmarnock tried to hit back immediately but a speculative half volley from Danny Invincible flew well past Zaluska's left-hand post.
The home side thought they had equalised after 37 minutes when centre back Simon Ford headed the ball into the net after United failed to clear a Garry Hay corner. However, referee Kenny Clark spotted his assistant's flag and the goal was chopped off for offside.
The final two chances of the first half fell to United. Robson battled well to win the ball in midfield before playing in Noel Hunt. The striker advanced on goal but took the ball too far wide. He did managed to get a shot in from a tight angle but it was parried by Combe and cleared to safety.
Sean Dillon then came close. A Craig Conway in-swinging corner found Dillon in the centre of the box and his downward header bounced up and was heading for the top corner of the net when Combe managed to get a hand to it and turn it over.
Half-time saw Killie make two changes with Gibson and Wales coming on for Di Giacomo and Johnston. Craig Levein also made a change with Prince Buaben replacing Morgaro Gomis.
United could have gone two ahead after 49 minutes when a Barry Robson cross was clawed off the line by Combe with Conway waiting to pounce.
Conway was not to be a denied the goal that his excellent performance deserved, however. An neat passing move from United on 66 minutes saw the ball move from left wing to right wing via Buaben, Kerr and Dillon. Robson then whipped in a left-foot cross that eluded both Alan Combe and Martyn Corrigan, who collided with each other, allowing Conway the simple task of heading into an empty net at the far post.
Ex-United man David Fernandez was then brought into the play and he set up Killie's goal after 82 minutes. Holding the ball up well, he teed it up for Gary Wales who fired a low shot past Zaluska from the centre of the box.
Previously lacklustre Kilmarnock now sensed a point and mounted a late flurry but despite a couple of late corners, United never looked like conceding another. With three minutes to go, new signing Mark De Vries replaced Craig Conway to the delight of the travelling Arabs. With little time to get into the game, the big striker still managed to show a few useful touches and looked an imposing figure up front as United played out the final few minutes to secure the three points.
Man of the match: Barry Robson. He scored one and set up the other. He showed a neatness of touch on a slippery surface and always looked hungry for the ball. Honourable mention to fellow goalscorer Craig Conway who was a continuous thorn in the Kilmarnock defence with his excellent running and crossing.
Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Frazer Wright, Ford, Hay, Hamill, Corrigan, Johnston (Gibson 46), Bryson (Fernandez 67), Di Giacomo (Wales 46), Invincibile. Subs Not Used: Harpur, Locke, Taouil, O'Leary.
Goal: Wales 82.
Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Grainger, Flood, Gomis (Buaben 46), Kerr, Robson, Hunt, Conway (De Vries 88). Subs Not Used: McLean, Swanson, Kovacevic, Odhiambo, Milligan.
Goals: Robson 31, Conway 66.
Att: 4,803
Ref: K Clark
Click here for the full report by Ross Burns.
