DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United went down to a dismal 3 - 1 home defeat at the hands of Motherwell. A Higdon double, which included a penalty kick and a strike from Lasley had the visitors three up with Jon Daly scoring a late consolation on a disappointing day for Peter Houston's men.
After the 3 - 3 draw with Hibs last weekend there was only one change for the visit of Motherwell. Ryan Dow came in to the starting eleven with Johnny Russell dropping to the bench.
First Half:
United started the brighter of the sides and twice in the opening ten minutes Daly tested Randolph with headed efforts. However it was the visitors who struck first when following a flowing move Lasley smashed the ball high past Pernis from 12 yards. Neither side were looking particularly dangerous and it took to the 40th minute for another decent effort, this time Randolph saved well from the head of United substitute Dalla Valle. With the game still very much alive a costly mistake from United in the final minute of the half handed the visitors a two goal advantage at the break. Keith Watson rolled the ball back to Pernis and uncharacteristically the big keeper mis- kicked his clearance that landed at the feet of Higdon and the former St Mirren striker shot home.
Second Half:
United looked to hit back early in the second period and a pass from Rankin almost found Daly in the six yard box but Hammell managed to clear. Just after the hour mark the match was effectively over as a contest. Law collected the ball on the left hand side and when he cut inside Kenneth in the box he was tripped and the referee awarded a spot kick. Higdon made no mistake from the spot scoring his own second and his team's third of the afternoon. United threw on all their attacking options and almost pulled one back when Gunning fired in a long range effort that missed by inches. They did eventually pull one back when after a good run and shot from Watson the ball landed at the feet of Daly who scrambled the ball home. With six minutes left on the clock the home crowd screamed for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Craigan but play was waved on and that effectively summed up United's afternoon.
Summing Up: After a recent run, United will be very disappointed with the result. In the end it was costly mistakes that cost them the match.
Man of the match: John Rankin put in another steady display in the midfield for United.
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson (Mackay-Steven), Daly, Swanson (Russell), Rankin, Watson, Gunning, Dow (Dalla Valle 30)
Subs not used : McCallum, Douglas, Armstrong, Hilson
Motherwell: Randolph, Hammell, Law, Craigan, Hately, Humphrey (Daley 86), Jennings, Higdon, Murphy (Carsewell 85), Lasley, Clancy
Subs not used : Hollis, McHugh, Forbes, Smith, Page
Referee : S McLean
Attendance : 6073
After the 3 - 3 draw with Hibs last weekend there was only one change for the visit of Motherwell. Ryan Dow came in to the starting eleven with Johnny Russell dropping to the bench.
First Half:
United started the brighter of the sides and twice in the opening ten minutes Daly tested Randolph with headed efforts. However it was the visitors who struck first when following a flowing move Lasley smashed the ball high past Pernis from 12 yards. Neither side were looking particularly dangerous and it took to the 40th minute for another decent effort, this time Randolph saved well from the head of United substitute Dalla Valle. With the game still very much alive a costly mistake from United in the final minute of the half handed the visitors a two goal advantage at the break. Keith Watson rolled the ball back to Pernis and uncharacteristically the big keeper mis- kicked his clearance that landed at the feet of Higdon and the former St Mirren striker shot home.
Second Half:
United looked to hit back early in the second period and a pass from Rankin almost found Daly in the six yard box but Hammell managed to clear. Just after the hour mark the match was effectively over as a contest. Law collected the ball on the left hand side and when he cut inside Kenneth in the box he was tripped and the referee awarded a spot kick. Higdon made no mistake from the spot scoring his own second and his team's third of the afternoon. United threw on all their attacking options and almost pulled one back when Gunning fired in a long range effort that missed by inches. They did eventually pull one back when after a good run and shot from Watson the ball landed at the feet of Daly who scrambled the ball home. With six minutes left on the clock the home crowd screamed for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Craigan but play was waved on and that effectively summed up United's afternoon.
Summing Up: After a recent run, United will be very disappointed with the result. In the end it was costly mistakes that cost them the match.
Man of the match: John Rankin put in another steady display in the midfield for United.
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson (Mackay-Steven), Daly, Swanson (Russell), Rankin, Watson, Gunning, Dow (Dalla Valle 30)
Subs not used : McCallum, Douglas, Armstrong, Hilson
Motherwell: Randolph, Hammell, Law, Craigan, Hately, Humphrey (Daley 86), Jennings, Higdon, Murphy (Carsewell 85), Lasley, Clancy
Subs not used : Hollis, McHugh, Forbes, Smith, Page
Referee : S McLean
Attendance : 6073
