DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United secured a deserved three points after a hard fought and at times bad tempered 90 minutes. A solitary Goodwillie strike on the hour mark was a sign of United's greater cutting edge in the final third although Dusan Pernis twice came to United's rescue to prevent the visitors scoring.
With 17 minutes gone, David Goodwillie was presented with United's first sight of goal after slack play in the Saints midfield and, although his shot had power, it was always rising over the bar. It took until the 27th minute to create a clear cut chance and when it arrived and it fell to the visitors. A Grainger cross from the left struck Paul Dixon and fell straight into the path of Andy Jackson, and although the angle wasn't the best a goal seemed on the cards until Pernis spread himself brilliantly to block the striker's shot before United cleared. As half time approached United came close to a goal as a deep Dixon cross from the left was just missed by Daly under pressure 6 yards out from goalkeeper Enckelman. Dillon nodded the ball back into a dangerous area with the goalkeeper still on the ground but the Saints defence were able to clear. United broke moments later and Goodwillie worked space for a shot 20 yards out which Enckelman spilled initially before holding. With the Terrors having their best spell right on half time Goodwillie robbed Duberry on the bye-line before laying the ball back to the edge of the area for David Robertson to strike towards goal only for a deflection to result in a corner and a goalless end to the half.
Second half:
There was an early scare for United as Grainger crossed into the six yard box only for Sam Parkin to head over under pressure before Grainger brought out a great save from Pernis in the 56th minute from a curling free kick which was heading for the top corner. From the corner kick Murray Davidson fired a header over when he really should have done better as the visitor's started to ask serious questions of the tangerine's defence. United broke on the counter and Goodwillie had his shot blocked in the area before the striker became the man to open the scoring for United on the hour mark. Dixon swung in a corner which broke to Buaben at the edge of the box who tried his luck with a drive towards a congested goal area. Dods and Dillon both had a bite at the ball before it broke out to Goodwillie in the 6 yard box who cleverly prodded the ball home with the outside of his right foot. Goodwillie was always looking a big threat for United on the break and this time he was clearly upended by Steven Anderson just outside the area leading to a scuffle which produced 5 separate bookings as tempers flared. Pernis then made another spectacular stop to prevent an equaliser from a close range Marcus Haber header. Garry Kenneth was forced off for the second game in succession after a nasty collision with Haber, having to be replaced by Andis Shala with Daly dropping back to cover at centre half. There was much confusion as full time approached as what many believed to be a second yellow for Steven Anderson following a foul on Goodwillie failed to see the referee produce a red card despite taking several minutes to consult with both linesmen and the assistant referee over what had happened. As a result there were five minutes of injury time recorded and United had two good chances to wrap up the points during this time. First Goodwillie broke clear with Shala in support, instead opting to drive a shot at the legs of Enckelman then Prince Buaben shot just wide of the post as the hosts saw out the remaining time without danger and clinched a hard earned 3 points.
Full Time Summary: A deserved victory for United following a hard fought 90 minutes. Their efforts were all the more commendable considering the energy which must have been expended up in Dingwall 3 days earlier. United always looked like they had more of a cutting edge in the final 3rd and so it proved as Goodwillie's solitary strike secured the win.
Man of the Match: Despite running himself ragged during the midweek cup win a repeat performance from David Goodwillie this afternoon sees him take the award. The St Johnstone defence were given a torrid 90 minutes by the Under 21 international who caused the bookings of several visiting players who found him too hot to handle. His excellent finish on the hour mark was ultimately the difference between the sides.
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Severin, Dods, Daly, D Robertson, Buaben, Gomis (S Robertson 46), Kenneth (Shala 81), Goodwillie. Subs not used - Banks, Cadamarteri, Shala, Watson, Russell, Dow.
St Johnstone: Enckelman, Maybury (Anderson 64), Grainger, Mackay, Duberry, Morris, Davidson (Craig 75), Millar, Myrie-Williams, Parkin, Jackson (Haber 64). Subs not used - Smith, McIntosh, May, Samuel.
Referee - Brian Winter
Attendance - 7397
With 17 minutes gone, David Goodwillie was presented with United's first sight of goal after slack play in the Saints midfield and, although his shot had power, it was always rising over the bar. It took until the 27th minute to create a clear cut chance and when it arrived and it fell to the visitors. A Grainger cross from the left struck Paul Dixon and fell straight into the path of Andy Jackson, and although the angle wasn't the best a goal seemed on the cards until Pernis spread himself brilliantly to block the striker's shot before United cleared. As half time approached United came close to a goal as a deep Dixon cross from the left was just missed by Daly under pressure 6 yards out from goalkeeper Enckelman. Dillon nodded the ball back into a dangerous area with the goalkeeper still on the ground but the Saints defence were able to clear. United broke moments later and Goodwillie worked space for a shot 20 yards out which Enckelman spilled initially before holding. With the Terrors having their best spell right on half time Goodwillie robbed Duberry on the bye-line before laying the ball back to the edge of the area for David Robertson to strike towards goal only for a deflection to result in a corner and a goalless end to the half.
Second half:
There was an early scare for United as Grainger crossed into the six yard box only for Sam Parkin to head over under pressure before Grainger brought out a great save from Pernis in the 56th minute from a curling free kick which was heading for the top corner. From the corner kick Murray Davidson fired a header over when he really should have done better as the visitor's started to ask serious questions of the tangerine's defence. United broke on the counter and Goodwillie had his shot blocked in the area before the striker became the man to open the scoring for United on the hour mark. Dixon swung in a corner which broke to Buaben at the edge of the box who tried his luck with a drive towards a congested goal area. Dods and Dillon both had a bite at the ball before it broke out to Goodwillie in the 6 yard box who cleverly prodded the ball home with the outside of his right foot. Goodwillie was always looking a big threat for United on the break and this time he was clearly upended by Steven Anderson just outside the area leading to a scuffle which produced 5 separate bookings as tempers flared. Pernis then made another spectacular stop to prevent an equaliser from a close range Marcus Haber header. Garry Kenneth was forced off for the second game in succession after a nasty collision with Haber, having to be replaced by Andis Shala with Daly dropping back to cover at centre half. There was much confusion as full time approached as what many believed to be a second yellow for Steven Anderson following a foul on Goodwillie failed to see the referee produce a red card despite taking several minutes to consult with both linesmen and the assistant referee over what had happened. As a result there were five minutes of injury time recorded and United had two good chances to wrap up the points during this time. First Goodwillie broke clear with Shala in support, instead opting to drive a shot at the legs of Enckelman then Prince Buaben shot just wide of the post as the hosts saw out the remaining time without danger and clinched a hard earned 3 points.
Full Time Summary: A deserved victory for United following a hard fought 90 minutes. Their efforts were all the more commendable considering the energy which must have been expended up in Dingwall 3 days earlier. United always looked like they had more of a cutting edge in the final 3rd and so it proved as Goodwillie's solitary strike secured the win.
Man of the Match: Despite running himself ragged during the midweek cup win a repeat performance from David Goodwillie this afternoon sees him take the award. The St Johnstone defence were given a torrid 90 minutes by the Under 21 international who caused the bookings of several visiting players who found him too hot to handle. His excellent finish on the hour mark was ultimately the difference between the sides.
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Severin, Dods, Daly, D Robertson, Buaben, Gomis (S Robertson 46), Kenneth (Shala 81), Goodwillie. Subs not used - Banks, Cadamarteri, Shala, Watson, Russell, Dow.
St Johnstone: Enckelman, Maybury (Anderson 64), Grainger, Mackay, Duberry, Morris, Davidson (Craig 75), Millar, Myrie-Williams, Parkin, Jackson (Haber 64). Subs not used - Smith, McIntosh, May, Samuel.
Referee - Brian Winter
Attendance - 7397
