DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United could only earn a point after making most of the running in an entertaining clash at Tannadice this afternoon. Both goals came within a minute as Sammon drilled Killie into the lead only for Russell to respond immediately as he scored his first goal in tangerine at Tannadice. The home side were left to rue two late Daly misses, in particular an injury time chance when clean through, as they passed up the opportunity to close the gap on those above them.
There was an audacious attempt on goal right from kick off as David Goodwillie took a side pass from Russell and launched a teasing shot at goal, only for Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell to gather uncomfortably at the second attempt. Moments later Prince Buaben sent in a deadly cross which Garry Kenneth just failed to connect with properly yards from goal, with United starting the game like they meant business. Another headed chance came in 9 minutes as Kenneth raced onto a Watson ball down the right and swung in great cross which Russell glanced just wide from a narrow angle. Connor Sammon had already threatened and Frazer Wright had seen a headed goal disallowed before Killie took a 22nd minute lead against the run of play. Taouil drove forward from midfield and a nice reverse ball released Sammon on the right angle and he drilled a shot under Pernis and into the bottom corner. United fans had no time to ponder this as they found themselves level within a minute. Watson played a pass inside to Goodwillie who turned and threaded the ball through for Russell who poked the ball into the far corner to score his first competitive goal for United at Tannadice, coming just at the right time. In what was a real end to end affair, Killie almost retook the lead 2 minutes later and it needed a great one handed Pernis save to first deny Sammon another goal before Dixon lunged in to clear from Bryson who was ready to tuck the ball away on the rebound. The Terrors pushed for a half time lead and in first half injury time a Barry Douglas free kick came within a whisker of giving what would just about have been a deserved lead but the players went down the tunnel with the game all square.
It was a slower start to the half for the Tangerines who took until the 56th minute to create something. Buaben played a sublime ball to Russell who took the ball on his instep to create space for a left foot shot which Bell did well to gather. Goodwillie then surprised Bell with a snap shot from the edge of the area which the visiting keeper palmed over the bar. In a less frantic half there was a heart in the mouth moment for United in the 75th minute as an Eremenko shot spun off Buaben and a floored Pernis could only look on as the ball bounced wide then Pascali headed the resultant corner over when he really should have hit the target. The Tangerines pushed hardest in the latter stages and sub Jon Daly squandered a glorious opportunity in the last minute when, after Goodwillie had done well to win back possession on the right flank, he swung in an inviting cross which the striker headed right at Bell when anywhere else would surely have led to a goal. Daly then had his head in his hands right on the full time whistle as Gomis put him clean through on goal only for the shot across goal to drift wide for the game to end all square.
Full Time Summary:
United will be the most aggrieved at earning a point after producing most of the chances throughout. Most notably two late efforts from Daly could have given United a much needed 3 points but on the positive side this was a much improved performance which the tangerines can take heart from in the upcoming games.
Man of the Match:
There were a few strong candidates including Russell and Kenneth but the biggest influence on the game for United on the day came from Barry Douglas. On the left side of midfield he put in a tireless effort and linked the play to great effect and it is clear his dead ball ability will become a useful asset for the Terrors.
United: - Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, S Robertson (Armstrong 30) (Swanson 78), Buaben, Gomis, Douglas (Daly 88), Kenneth (C), Watson, Goodwillie, Russell. Subs not used - Banks, Cadamarteri, D Robertson, Dow.
Kilmarnock: - Bell, Wright, Sissoko, Bryson (C), Hamill, Taouil (Silva 81), Gordon, Sammon, Eremenko, Kelly, Pascali. Subs not used - Letheren, Clancy, Hay, Fowler, Invincible, Forrester.
Attendance - 6597
Referee - Alan Muir
There was an audacious attempt on goal right from kick off as David Goodwillie took a side pass from Russell and launched a teasing shot at goal, only for Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell to gather uncomfortably at the second attempt. Moments later Prince Buaben sent in a deadly cross which Garry Kenneth just failed to connect with properly yards from goal, with United starting the game like they meant business. Another headed chance came in 9 minutes as Kenneth raced onto a Watson ball down the right and swung in great cross which Russell glanced just wide from a narrow angle. Connor Sammon had already threatened and Frazer Wright had seen a headed goal disallowed before Killie took a 22nd minute lead against the run of play. Taouil drove forward from midfield and a nice reverse ball released Sammon on the right angle and he drilled a shot under Pernis and into the bottom corner. United fans had no time to ponder this as they found themselves level within a minute. Watson played a pass inside to Goodwillie who turned and threaded the ball through for Russell who poked the ball into the far corner to score his first competitive goal for United at Tannadice, coming just at the right time. In what was a real end to end affair, Killie almost retook the lead 2 minutes later and it needed a great one handed Pernis save to first deny Sammon another goal before Dixon lunged in to clear from Bryson who was ready to tuck the ball away on the rebound. The Terrors pushed for a half time lead and in first half injury time a Barry Douglas free kick came within a whisker of giving what would just about have been a deserved lead but the players went down the tunnel with the game all square.
It was a slower start to the half for the Tangerines who took until the 56th minute to create something. Buaben played a sublime ball to Russell who took the ball on his instep to create space for a left foot shot which Bell did well to gather. Goodwillie then surprised Bell with a snap shot from the edge of the area which the visiting keeper palmed over the bar. In a less frantic half there was a heart in the mouth moment for United in the 75th minute as an Eremenko shot spun off Buaben and a floored Pernis could only look on as the ball bounced wide then Pascali headed the resultant corner over when he really should have hit the target. The Tangerines pushed hardest in the latter stages and sub Jon Daly squandered a glorious opportunity in the last minute when, after Goodwillie had done well to win back possession on the right flank, he swung in an inviting cross which the striker headed right at Bell when anywhere else would surely have led to a goal. Daly then had his head in his hands right on the full time whistle as Gomis put him clean through on goal only for the shot across goal to drift wide for the game to end all square.
Full Time Summary:
United will be the most aggrieved at earning a point after producing most of the chances throughout. Most notably two late efforts from Daly could have given United a much needed 3 points but on the positive side this was a much improved performance which the tangerines can take heart from in the upcoming games.
Man of the Match:
There were a few strong candidates including Russell and Kenneth but the biggest influence on the game for United on the day came from Barry Douglas. On the left side of midfield he put in a tireless effort and linked the play to great effect and it is clear his dead ball ability will become a useful asset for the Terrors.
United: - Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, S Robertson (Armstrong 30) (Swanson 78), Buaben, Gomis, Douglas (Daly 88), Kenneth (C), Watson, Goodwillie, Russell. Subs not used - Banks, Cadamarteri, D Robertson, Dow.
Kilmarnock: - Bell, Wright, Sissoko, Bryson (C), Hamill, Taouil (Silva 81), Gordon, Sammon, Eremenko, Kelly, Pascali. Subs not used - Letheren, Clancy, Hay, Fowler, Invincible, Forrester.
Attendance - 6597
Referee - Alan Muir
