First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
A decent crowd turned up at Davie Park to pay tribute to long serving Blairgowrie Juniors pair Mark Brash and Andy Murray.
However, it was United's Marco Andreoni who stole the headlines, by bagging a hat-trick in a hard-earned victory despite being awarded three penalties!
Indeed, it was no surprise when John Farquharson put the Junior outfit in front after 24 minutes, steering home a low shot from 12-yards after being sent clear with the visitors looking for an offside decision that never came.
It was ten minutes before the break before United really threatened, but as the interval approached, they increased their stranglehold on proceedings.
With a minute of the first half remaining, the visitors were back on level terms, Andreoni netting from the spot after Jordan Elfverson had been held in the box.
Though Blair made a sprightly start to the second half, it was United who went in front 17 minutes after the re-start.
Again it was Andreoni from the spot after Blair hero Brash spoilt his evening by conceding the penalty when he fouled Elfverson.
Three minutes later, Andreoni completed his treble, knocking the ball into an empty net after Ryan Dow shot had been blocked.
When when Blair keeper Gordon O'Brien brought Dow down for a third penalty, it looked as though the game would be put well beyond the home side.
O'Brien, however, atoned with a brilliant one-handed save from Russell's low strike from 12-yards.
Showing tremendous tenacity Blair hit back with six minutes remaining with the best goal of the game.
A good move on the right culminated with Ryan Menzies spiralling cross being headed home by Darren Neave at the far post for a deserved second.
Team: Hindley, Irvine, R Smith, Lees, Fleming, Cameron (Swanson 70), Stokes, Andreoni, Murray (Dow 46), Elfverson (Allan 70), Kenny Smith (Russell 46). Sub not used: McCallum (gk).
However, it was United's Marco Andreoni who stole the headlines, by bagging a hat-trick in a hard-earned victory despite being awarded three penalties!
Indeed, it was no surprise when John Farquharson put the Junior outfit in front after 24 minutes, steering home a low shot from 12-yards after being sent clear with the visitors looking for an offside decision that never came.
It was ten minutes before the break before United really threatened, but as the interval approached, they increased their stranglehold on proceedings.
With a minute of the first half remaining, the visitors were back on level terms, Andreoni netting from the spot after Jordan Elfverson had been held in the box.
Though Blair made a sprightly start to the second half, it was United who went in front 17 minutes after the re-start.
Again it was Andreoni from the spot after Blair hero Brash spoilt his evening by conceding the penalty when he fouled Elfverson.
Three minutes later, Andreoni completed his treble, knocking the ball into an empty net after Ryan Dow shot had been blocked.
When when Blair keeper Gordon O'Brien brought Dow down for a third penalty, it looked as though the game would be put well beyond the home side.
O'Brien, however, atoned with a brilliant one-handed save from Russell's low strike from 12-yards.
Showing tremendous tenacity Blair hit back with six minutes remaining with the best goal of the game.
A good move on the right culminated with Ryan Menzies spiralling cross being headed home by Darren Neave at the far post for a deserved second.
Team: Hindley, Irvine, R Smith, Lees, Fleming, Cameron (Swanson 70), Stokes, Andreoni, Murray (Dow 46), Elfverson (Allan 70), Kenny Smith (Russell 46). Sub not used: McCallum (gk).
