DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United got their Scottish Cup campaign off to a stunning start thanks to goals from Rankin, Robertson, Mackay-Steven and a Russell hat trick. But while the visitors ultimately cruised through the second half, they were made to work hard to establish a lead in a much more even first forty-five.
Indeed, after a bright start the hosts almost took a shock lead when the impressive Jamie Stevenson's volley struck the crossbar and Green's follow-up header was deflected just over.
The visitors responded well and opened the scoring on 17 minutes. After excellent work from Mackay-Steven, Rankin collected the winger's pass and drove into the box to send a fine low finish in at the far post from 8 yards.
Both sides continued to create half chances, but it was the Tannadice side who extended their lead on the stroke of half time. Mackay-Steven played a low ball into the path of Russell whose deft lay-off was latched onto by Robertson and the midfielder placed a beautiful finish into the top corner of the net from 12 yards.
It was a harsh lesson on clinical finishing for Airdrie who had certainly contributed to an entertaining and competitive first half. And things would get much tougher for the Lanarkshire side in a much more one-sided second half.
United put the tie beyond any doubt just after the hour mark with Johnny Russell sending an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Soon after, Russell grabbed his second and United's fourth, stooping to head home a Dixon cross.
On 70 minutes the visitors made it five - Mackay-Steven collecting Robertson's cross-field pass and dispatching a powerful left foot shot low past Fairley. Russell fired home from 12 yards to complete his hat trick with seven minutes still remaining.
Airdrie kept going and in the closing stages Ryan Donnelly added to his impressive season's goals tally (20 before today) with a quick-fire double - first, cooly rounding Pernis to slot home then, sending a precision header into the corner of the net with virtually the last touch of the match.
But those two counters were certainly not going to dampen the spirits of the noisy travelling support after a ruthless second half performance from their side brought Hampden one step closer.
Teams:
Airdrie United: Fairley, Green (Holmes 31), Lovering, Stallard, Lilley, Bain, Lynch (Johnston 66), Blockley, Stephenson (Devlin 86), McLaren, Donnelly.
Substitutes not used: Duncan, Boyle.
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson, Rankin (Douglas 73), Armstrong (Ryan 57), Mackay-Steven, Daly (Dalla Valle 66), Russell
Substitutes not used: Banks, Dow.
Ref: Charleston
Att: 2,434
Indeed, after a bright start the hosts almost took a shock lead when the impressive Jamie Stevenson's volley struck the crossbar and Green's follow-up header was deflected just over.
The visitors responded well and opened the scoring on 17 minutes. After excellent work from Mackay-Steven, Rankin collected the winger's pass and drove into the box to send a fine low finish in at the far post from 8 yards.
Both sides continued to create half chances, but it was the Tannadice side who extended their lead on the stroke of half time. Mackay-Steven played a low ball into the path of Russell whose deft lay-off was latched onto by Robertson and the midfielder placed a beautiful finish into the top corner of the net from 12 yards.
It was a harsh lesson on clinical finishing for Airdrie who had certainly contributed to an entertaining and competitive first half. And things would get much tougher for the Lanarkshire side in a much more one-sided second half.
United put the tie beyond any doubt just after the hour mark with Johnny Russell sending an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Soon after, Russell grabbed his second and United's fourth, stooping to head home a Dixon cross.
On 70 minutes the visitors made it five - Mackay-Steven collecting Robertson's cross-field pass and dispatching a powerful left foot shot low past Fairley. Russell fired home from 12 yards to complete his hat trick with seven minutes still remaining.
Airdrie kept going and in the closing stages Ryan Donnelly added to his impressive season's goals tally (20 before today) with a quick-fire double - first, cooly rounding Pernis to slot home then, sending a precision header into the corner of the net with virtually the last touch of the match.
But those two counters were certainly not going to dampen the spirits of the noisy travelling support after a ruthless second half performance from their side brought Hampden one step closer.
Teams:
Airdrie United: Fairley, Green (Holmes 31), Lovering, Stallard, Lilley, Bain, Lynch (Johnston 66), Blockley, Stephenson (Devlin 86), McLaren, Donnelly.
Substitutes not used: Duncan, Boyle.
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson, Rankin (Douglas 73), Armstrong (Ryan 57), Mackay-Steven, Daly (Dalla Valle 66), Russell
Substitutes not used: Banks, Dow.
Ref: Charleston
Att: 2,434
