First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United progressed comfortably into the Co-Operative Insurance Cup quarter finals after despatching Airdrie with ease courtesy of first half goals from David Goodwillie and Scott Robertson.
After a low key opening half hour in which the home side dominated in terms of possession the game finally sprung into life after 32 minutes. A good cross by Paul Dixon was headed towards goal by Lee Wilkie and Stephen Robertson could only parry into the path of Goodwillie who was perfectly placed at the back post to head the ball into the empty net. 2 minutes later Goodwillie almost doubled his tally after turning brilliantly in the box following a pass from Scott Robertson, forcing a superb save out of the goalkeeper from a low shot which was destined for the bottom corner. Despite not having had an effort on goal the whole game Airdrie almost produced an unlikely equaliser in the 37th minute when good play by McDougall on the right first set up Di Giacomo whose shot was blocked by Wilkie before Zaluska made an excellent save to claw away Cardle's header from the rebound. United did double their lead after 41 minutes however after Scott Robertson ended a superb move started by Sandaza on the left wing. After a quick interchange with Goodwillie the striker played the ball out wide to Gomis who then set up Robertson at the edge of the area. The midfield man took a touch before curling an unstoppable shot into the top right corner of the net with Stephen Robertson left helpless.
Moments into the half Scott Robertson almost scored again when he hit an early shot from the edge of the box following a Wilkie head down from a Goodwillie cross. The effort caught out keeper Robertson who only just prevented the ball rolling over the line while gathering at the second attempt. Gomis helped create the next chance when he played a nice pass out wide to Dillon whose early crossed struck the hand of an Airdrie defender before falling to Sandaza who fired over. Despite appeals the referee was not about to award a penalty however. After another lull in proceedings Gomis tried to change the tempo when he beat 2 men at the edge of the box before driving a left foot shot towards goal from 20 yards which was sliced wide of the left post. As the game began to draw towards a conclusion Airdrie were limited to only a couple of shots from long range which were comfortably off target before first Dixon tried his luck from distance then Goodwillie turned and shot at goal bringing out another save from Robertson as United searched for the clincher. The result was never in doubt however with all the work having been done in the first half and Airdrie never looking likely to mount any sort of comeback.
Full Time Summary:
It was a thoroughly professional performance from United in what had looked like a tricky tie. In all truth it appeared as though they had plenty left in the tank at the end due to the fact the job was done by half time allowing United to see out the game comfortably.
Man of the Match:
The result tonight was largely down to the performances of Scott Robertson and Morgaro Gomis in midfield however Gomis takes the award after orchestrating most of United's attacks through his superb passing ability.
United: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie (C), Dods, S Robertson, Sandaza (O'Donovan 69), D Robertson (McCord 87), Conway (Swanson 79), Gomis, Goodwillie. Subs Not Used: McGovern, Grainger.
Airdrie: Robertson, Smyth, Smith (Noble 62), McKenna, Donnelly, Nixon, Cardle (McGuire 77), McLaughlin, Di Giacomo, Brown, McDougall. Subs Not Used: Hazley, Brady, Hollis.
Referee: M Tumilty
Attendance: 3444
Goals:
Dundee United - 2 (Goodwillie 32, S Robertson 42)
Airdrie United - 0
Click here for the full match report by Ally Stewart.
After a low key opening half hour in which the home side dominated in terms of possession the game finally sprung into life after 32 minutes. A good cross by Paul Dixon was headed towards goal by Lee Wilkie and Stephen Robertson could only parry into the path of Goodwillie who was perfectly placed at the back post to head the ball into the empty net. 2 minutes later Goodwillie almost doubled his tally after turning brilliantly in the box following a pass from Scott Robertson, forcing a superb save out of the goalkeeper from a low shot which was destined for the bottom corner. Despite not having had an effort on goal the whole game Airdrie almost produced an unlikely equaliser in the 37th minute when good play by McDougall on the right first set up Di Giacomo whose shot was blocked by Wilkie before Zaluska made an excellent save to claw away Cardle's header from the rebound. United did double their lead after 41 minutes however after Scott Robertson ended a superb move started by Sandaza on the left wing. After a quick interchange with Goodwillie the striker played the ball out wide to Gomis who then set up Robertson at the edge of the area. The midfield man took a touch before curling an unstoppable shot into the top right corner of the net with Stephen Robertson left helpless.
Moments into the half Scott Robertson almost scored again when he hit an early shot from the edge of the box following a Wilkie head down from a Goodwillie cross. The effort caught out keeper Robertson who only just prevented the ball rolling over the line while gathering at the second attempt. Gomis helped create the next chance when he played a nice pass out wide to Dillon whose early crossed struck the hand of an Airdrie defender before falling to Sandaza who fired over. Despite appeals the referee was not about to award a penalty however. After another lull in proceedings Gomis tried to change the tempo when he beat 2 men at the edge of the box before driving a left foot shot towards goal from 20 yards which was sliced wide of the left post. As the game began to draw towards a conclusion Airdrie were limited to only a couple of shots from long range which were comfortably off target before first Dixon tried his luck from distance then Goodwillie turned and shot at goal bringing out another save from Robertson as United searched for the clincher. The result was never in doubt however with all the work having been done in the first half and Airdrie never looking likely to mount any sort of comeback.
Full Time Summary:
It was a thoroughly professional performance from United in what had looked like a tricky tie. In all truth it appeared as though they had plenty left in the tank at the end due to the fact the job was done by half time allowing United to see out the game comfortably.
Man of the Match:
The result tonight was largely down to the performances of Scott Robertson and Morgaro Gomis in midfield however Gomis takes the award after orchestrating most of United's attacks through his superb passing ability.
United: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie (C), Dods, S Robertson, Sandaza (O'Donovan 69), D Robertson (McCord 87), Conway (Swanson 79), Gomis, Goodwillie. Subs Not Used: McGovern, Grainger.
Airdrie: Robertson, Smyth, Smith (Noble 62), McKenna, Donnelly, Nixon, Cardle (McGuire 77), McLaughlin, Di Giacomo, Brown, McDougall. Subs Not Used: Hazley, Brady, Hollis.
Referee: M Tumilty
Attendance: 3444
Goals:
Dundee United - 2 (Goodwillie 32, S Robertson 42)
Airdrie United - 0
Click here for the full match report by Ally Stewart.
