DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United welcomed Garry Kenneth back to the starting line up as Club captain Jon Daly returned to his more familiar starting berth up front. Slask had a vocal support with them, many of whom seemed to have enjoyed Scottish hospitality in the run up to the match.
United kicked off towards the Eddie Thompson Stand. A Goodwillie overhead kick saw a United corner on the left, the visitors didn't clear their lines and Keith Watson leathered the ball past the keeper from 20 yards after Kenneth set him up. 90 seconds gone and United on level terms - a dream start. But things were about to get even better - a speculative through ball saw Goodwillie fox the defence and the United striker coolly place a right foot shot in the bottom corner. 3 minutes gone and 2 - 0 up. Were we in for another 7 - 2 win?
The visitors were clearly rattled and their first effort saw a free kick sail over the cross bar. United were asking all the questions. The away support tried to encourage their side but they appeared to be bereft of ideas. Then totally against the run of play a cross from the right was knocked in by Elsner.
United immediately went back to the other end to pressurise the Polish side and Jon Daly clashed heads with a defender. Slask seemed to calm down after their goal looking to get on the ball and pass the ball around. Daly got on the end of a long ball but was blocked by a defender as he tried to run through. Slask grew in confidence as the game went on, happy to keep the ball in midfield areas but with no real intent of attacking with any purpose. Another Flood corner was headed narrowly over by Daly as United pushed back. Dudek saw a shot from 25 yards fly over as the sides exchanged chances then Jonny Russell was just unable to collect a long ball.
Kelemen, the visitors' keeper, seemed unorthodox in dealing with United's aerial threat and came for a few crosses which he missed completely. One saw a Flood effort headed off the line with the keeper AWOL then Kenneth tried his luck with a volley across goal, again the keeper was elsewhere.
Slask continued to pose a threat, albeit from well out from goal with a couple of speculative efforts not giving Pernis any concerns other than what side to take the gaol kick from.
A break away saw Paul Dixon take one for the team as he fouled to try and prevent a breakaway after a corner was cleared, his victim making the very most of the challenge. The visitors used their size and strength to pressurise Pernis in the United goal but Dusan was having none of it.
Another long ball saw Goodwillie through one on one - Kelemen impeded him but the United striker tried to carry on only to be awarded a penalty and yellow card the keeper. Daly fired high into the net and our two-goal lead was back in tact. Not to be outdone, Slask strikers started to throw themselves to the round in an effort to draw any sympathy from the referee.
As the referee put the whistle to his lips, Daly saw a header go just wide as Slask were on the ropes and clinging on for survival.
Half Time 3 - 1 United
The second half kicked off with both sides knowing that a flight to Sofia was on the cards for the victors.
The first action of not was Johnny Russell being booked for a foul as a Polish striker threatened the box, seeming intent on practising his histrionics. The resulting free kick from a dangerous position was wasted.
Slask continued to probe the United defence but appeared to lack an incisive cutting edge like United had with Goodwillie in the side.
Slask blinked first in the tactical battle and Sobota was introduced for Gancarcyczyk. Flood was booked for taking a free kick early - much to the confusion of the home crowd. Mila - the visitors' captain and the man who was the conduit for most of their play shot well over as Slask continued to be restricted to shots from distance. The United defence did well to thwart a strong run down the middle and the resulting corner came to nothing.
A brilliant interception and tackle by Flood saw the midfielder finding Goodwillie on the left. The striker cut inside and sent a curling effort just wide. The visiting supporters were being well subdued but their side still looked comfortable.
Scott Severin appeared to pick up a knee knock but carried on valiantly - as Slask pressed, United were content to hit on the break - a Daly pass found Rankin and the United newcomer shot just wide. Having restricted the visitors to long distance efforts - United's luck ran out in 75 minutes when Dudek unleashed a wonderful left foot strike past Pernis from close on 30 yards. The visitors ahead on away goals.
Danny Swanson replaced the valiant Severin as Peter Houston threw the dice. The visitors were now happy to sit behind the ball and look for breaks and free kicks to slow the game down. It was the United support who needed to lift their team. Swanson started a great passing move and the keeper was forced into a hurried clearance from a back pass as Daly looked to capitalise. Goodwillie shot wide in a crowded box. Mackay-Steven replaced Russell as United went for bust.
The 90 minutes were up and United continued to look for the goal that would surely put them through. Dillon was penalised as he went to connect with a corner as United threw everything forward. Good interplay between Swanson and Goodwillie saw a chance for Daly but the skipper shot over.
Full time saw the irony of a beaten team celebrating. Maybe next year!
Full time: 3 -2 United
Slask win on away goals.
Man of the Match - Keith Watson
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Severin, Kenneth, Watson, Flood, Rankin, Russell, Daly, Goodwillie.
Substitutes: Banks, Swanson, Douglas, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Allan, Dow.
Att: 11306
Ref: Antonio Lahoz (Spain)
United kicked off towards the Eddie Thompson Stand. A Goodwillie overhead kick saw a United corner on the left, the visitors didn't clear their lines and Keith Watson leathered the ball past the keeper from 20 yards after Kenneth set him up. 90 seconds gone and United on level terms - a dream start. But things were about to get even better - a speculative through ball saw Goodwillie fox the defence and the United striker coolly place a right foot shot in the bottom corner. 3 minutes gone and 2 - 0 up. Were we in for another 7 - 2 win?
The visitors were clearly rattled and their first effort saw a free kick sail over the cross bar. United were asking all the questions. The away support tried to encourage their side but they appeared to be bereft of ideas. Then totally against the run of play a cross from the right was knocked in by Elsner.
United immediately went back to the other end to pressurise the Polish side and Jon Daly clashed heads with a defender. Slask seemed to calm down after their goal looking to get on the ball and pass the ball around. Daly got on the end of a long ball but was blocked by a defender as he tried to run through. Slask grew in confidence as the game went on, happy to keep the ball in midfield areas but with no real intent of attacking with any purpose. Another Flood corner was headed narrowly over by Daly as United pushed back. Dudek saw a shot from 25 yards fly over as the sides exchanged chances then Jonny Russell was just unable to collect a long ball.
Kelemen, the visitors' keeper, seemed unorthodox in dealing with United's aerial threat and came for a few crosses which he missed completely. One saw a Flood effort headed off the line with the keeper AWOL then Kenneth tried his luck with a volley across goal, again the keeper was elsewhere.
Slask continued to pose a threat, albeit from well out from goal with a couple of speculative efforts not giving Pernis any concerns other than what side to take the gaol kick from.
A break away saw Paul Dixon take one for the team as he fouled to try and prevent a breakaway after a corner was cleared, his victim making the very most of the challenge. The visitors used their size and strength to pressurise Pernis in the United goal but Dusan was having none of it.
Another long ball saw Goodwillie through one on one - Kelemen impeded him but the United striker tried to carry on only to be awarded a penalty and yellow card the keeper. Daly fired high into the net and our two-goal lead was back in tact. Not to be outdone, Slask strikers started to throw themselves to the round in an effort to draw any sympathy from the referee.
As the referee put the whistle to his lips, Daly saw a header go just wide as Slask were on the ropes and clinging on for survival.
Half Time 3 - 1 United
The second half kicked off with both sides knowing that a flight to Sofia was on the cards for the victors.
The first action of not was Johnny Russell being booked for a foul as a Polish striker threatened the box, seeming intent on practising his histrionics. The resulting free kick from a dangerous position was wasted.
Slask continued to probe the United defence but appeared to lack an incisive cutting edge like United had with Goodwillie in the side.
Slask blinked first in the tactical battle and Sobota was introduced for Gancarcyczyk. Flood was booked for taking a free kick early - much to the confusion of the home crowd. Mila - the visitors' captain and the man who was the conduit for most of their play shot well over as Slask continued to be restricted to shots from distance. The United defence did well to thwart a strong run down the middle and the resulting corner came to nothing.
A brilliant interception and tackle by Flood saw the midfielder finding Goodwillie on the left. The striker cut inside and sent a curling effort just wide. The visiting supporters were being well subdued but their side still looked comfortable.
Scott Severin appeared to pick up a knee knock but carried on valiantly - as Slask pressed, United were content to hit on the break - a Daly pass found Rankin and the United newcomer shot just wide. Having restricted the visitors to long distance efforts - United's luck ran out in 75 minutes when Dudek unleashed a wonderful left foot strike past Pernis from close on 30 yards. The visitors ahead on away goals.
Danny Swanson replaced the valiant Severin as Peter Houston threw the dice. The visitors were now happy to sit behind the ball and look for breaks and free kicks to slow the game down. It was the United support who needed to lift their team. Swanson started a great passing move and the keeper was forced into a hurried clearance from a back pass as Daly looked to capitalise. Goodwillie shot wide in a crowded box. Mackay-Steven replaced Russell as United went for bust.
The 90 minutes were up and United continued to look for the goal that would surely put them through. Dillon was penalised as he went to connect with a corner as United threw everything forward. Good interplay between Swanson and Goodwillie saw a chance for Daly but the skipper shot over.
Full time saw the irony of a beaten team celebrating. Maybe next year!
Full time: 3 -2 United
Slask win on away goals.
Man of the Match - Keith Watson
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Severin, Kenneth, Watson, Flood, Rankin, Russell, Daly, Goodwillie.
Substitutes: Banks, Swanson, Douglas, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Allan, Dow.
Att: 11306
Ref: Antonio Lahoz (Spain)
