DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
Dundee United were knocked out of the Scottish Communities League Cup by a spirited Falkirk side 5 - 4 on penalties after drawing 2 - 2 after ninety minutes.
The first half was entertaining as United could have gone 3-0 up, firstly with a Dalla Valle header brilliantly saved by McGovern. Falkirk had their initial chance of the game not long before with El Alagui rising high to direct his header into the hands of Dusan Pernis.
On thirty minutes the game really sparked into life as Jon Daly rattled the crossbar with a ferocious left footed shot from just inside the area. Only three minutes following that great chance came another goalscoring opportunity and another fine save from McGovern. The one-two between Dixon and Douglas allowed Dixon to slip a pass to the edge of the area where Scott Robertson hit a glorious first time strike which produced an excellent save by the former Dundee United goalkeeper.
The second half was equally entertaining but had the added excitement of goals. Unfortunately though, it was Falkirk who opened the scoring. Substitute Dale Fulton was on the park a mere minute when his pinpoint cross met El Alagui who powered a header past the helpless Dusan Pernis on seventy minutes. The home fans didn't have to wait long to see parity restored as, on seventy three minutes, Scott Robertson played the ball into the path of substitute Johnny Russell who caressed the ball into Michael McGovern's bottom corner.
Neither side was able create any more clear cut chances and the game moved into the nerve jangler that is extra time and the prospect of penalties. Fortunately though, the home fans witnessed their team put one foot into the semi-finals as Johnny Russell turned creator, playing the ball into the path of skipper Jon Daly who duly obliged by putting the ball past McGovern sending the Tangerines 2-1 up.
The second period of extra time was a slightly nervy affair but United seemed to be coping well until the one hundred and eighteenth minute when Falkirk substitute Ally Graham blasted the ball past Dusan Pernis to bring the spectre of penalties back into the game. Dundee United did have a great opportunity to win the game not long after. A Douglas free kick was met by Garry Kenneth and his looping header helped the ball eventually to Gavin Gunning, but his first time shot was well saved by the very impressive Michael McGovern.
The penalties were taken at the Eddie Thompson Stand. Johnny Russell was the first to take and he coolly sent McGovern the wrong way. Up stepped Dale Fulton to level the shoot out. Jon Daly was next and sent the ball down the middle to make it 2-1. Second to take for Falkirk was scorer El Alagui who made no mistake from the spot. Willo Flood was next up but his penalty was sent over the bar. Weatherston then gave Falkirk the advantage by sending the ball straight down the middle. Douglas was next up for United and sent McGovern the wrong way. Higginbotham made it 4-3. Gunning kept the hopes alive with United's last regulation penalty making it 4-4. Final taker was Stewart Murdoch and his successful conversion sent United out 4-5 on penalties.
Teams:
Dundee United: Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Gunning, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson (Armstrong 94), Rankin, Daly, Dalla Valle (Russell 56), Douglas
Subs not used: Banks, Allan, Dow
Falkirk: McGovern, Duffie (Dick 75), Kingsley, Dods, Wallace, Murdoch, Weatherston (Graham 100), J Fulton, El Algui, Higginbotham, Alston (D Fulton 69)
Subs not used: Bowman, Millar
Referee: Calum Murray
Attendance: 4188
The first half was entertaining as United could have gone 3-0 up, firstly with a Dalla Valle header brilliantly saved by McGovern. Falkirk had their initial chance of the game not long before with El Alagui rising high to direct his header into the hands of Dusan Pernis.
On thirty minutes the game really sparked into life as Jon Daly rattled the crossbar with a ferocious left footed shot from just inside the area. Only three minutes following that great chance came another goalscoring opportunity and another fine save from McGovern. The one-two between Dixon and Douglas allowed Dixon to slip a pass to the edge of the area where Scott Robertson hit a glorious first time strike which produced an excellent save by the former Dundee United goalkeeper.
The second half was equally entertaining but had the added excitement of goals. Unfortunately though, it was Falkirk who opened the scoring. Substitute Dale Fulton was on the park a mere minute when his pinpoint cross met El Alagui who powered a header past the helpless Dusan Pernis on seventy minutes. The home fans didn't have to wait long to see parity restored as, on seventy three minutes, Scott Robertson played the ball into the path of substitute Johnny Russell who caressed the ball into Michael McGovern's bottom corner.
Neither side was able create any more clear cut chances and the game moved into the nerve jangler that is extra time and the prospect of penalties. Fortunately though, the home fans witnessed their team put one foot into the semi-finals as Johnny Russell turned creator, playing the ball into the path of skipper Jon Daly who duly obliged by putting the ball past McGovern sending the Tangerines 2-1 up.
The second period of extra time was a slightly nervy affair but United seemed to be coping well until the one hundred and eighteenth minute when Falkirk substitute Ally Graham blasted the ball past Dusan Pernis to bring the spectre of penalties back into the game. Dundee United did have a great opportunity to win the game not long after. A Douglas free kick was met by Garry Kenneth and his looping header helped the ball eventually to Gavin Gunning, but his first time shot was well saved by the very impressive Michael McGovern.
The penalties were taken at the Eddie Thompson Stand. Johnny Russell was the first to take and he coolly sent McGovern the wrong way. Up stepped Dale Fulton to level the shoot out. Jon Daly was next and sent the ball down the middle to make it 2-1. Second to take for Falkirk was scorer El Alagui who made no mistake from the spot. Willo Flood was next up but his penalty was sent over the bar. Weatherston then gave Falkirk the advantage by sending the ball straight down the middle. Douglas was next up for United and sent McGovern the wrong way. Higginbotham made it 4-3. Gunning kept the hopes alive with United's last regulation penalty making it 4-4. Final taker was Stewart Murdoch and his successful conversion sent United out 4-5 on penalties.
Teams:
Dundee United: Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Gunning, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson (Armstrong 94), Rankin, Daly, Dalla Valle (Russell 56), Douglas
Subs not used: Banks, Allan, Dow
Falkirk: McGovern, Duffie (Dick 75), Kingsley, Dods, Wallace, Murdoch, Weatherston (Graham 100), J Fulton, El Algui, Higginbotham, Alston (D Fulton 69)
Subs not used: Bowman, Millar
Referee: Calum Murray
Attendance: 4188
