DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United had to come from behind again, this time to claim a vital three points in Dingwall. Two second half goals from Russell and Armstrong were enough to turn the match around and send the vocal band of United fans home happy.
A crucial match for both sides at the Global Energy Stadium, separated by just a point, County knew a victory would be enough to leap frog their visitors. United, positioned just three points behind the team in fourth position had the incentive of climbing a number of places in the table if other results went their way.
Peter Houston was able to name the same side that produced an exciting comeback in their previous match against Kilmarnock. Keith Watson returned from injury to find a place on the bench. Ex-Tannadice defender Mihael Kovacevic made the first eleven for County, who themselves made two changes from their previous draw at St Johnstone.
The stadium had been bathed in winter sunshine in the run up to kick off, but by 3pm it was the floodlights that were illuminating the playing surface. With not a breath of wind in the air, the conditions were near perfect for this first league clash between the sides in the recently renovated stadium.
United started the match attacking towards their band of supporters in the newly constructed North Stand. Both sides looked full of energy in the opening exchanges. Russell was first to come close after a great interchange between Armstrong and Daly. A deft flick from Daly on the edge of the box let Russell in on goal but his low shot was beaten away by Fraser in the County goal.
After twelve minutes County threatened for the first time. Rocco Quinn pounced on a bouncing ball just outside the United penalty area and struck a right foot effort toward the top corner of the net. Cierzniak had to react quickly, diving high to his left to divert the shot past for a corner.
Midway through the first half United created again. Douglas fed a crisp pass into the waiting Russell. With his back to goal, his neat turn led to a foul 25 yards from goal. Willo Flood hit the free kick and forced Fraser to touch over.
Sam Morrow was the greatest threat for County and on the half hour mark he looked destined to put the Staggies into the lead. With United struggling to clear their lines, a hopeful ball through the heart of their defence left Morrow with a clear run on goal. As Dillon recovered, Morrow was forced to twist and turn to make space before striking a low shot straight at Cierzniak.
As the game edged toward half time, it was County who looked most likely to make the breakthrough. Both sides created some half chances in the ten minutes leading up to the break but defences remained intact.
The only booking in the first half was for County midfielder, Kettlewell for a late tackle on Barry Douglas.
Half time: Ross County 0 - 0 Dundee United
A cold fog descended on the stadium during the interval as both sets of supporters waited for the players return, hoping the second half would bring the first goal between these sides this season.
They didn't have long to wait and it was the County fans who were celebrating. Only two minutes into the second half, Brittain made space on the right and swung in a cross that was measured perfectly for Iain Vigurs. The County man found sufficient space 6 yards out to glance a header low past Cierzniak.
The goal looked to kick United up a gear and they immediately created a great chance at the other end. Armstrong powered in toward goal from the right side and cut back to the waiting Daly. With the goal at his mercy, his right foot shot from the penalty spot flew high and wide.
After 52 minutes United equalised. Rankin sent a long ball toward Russell from his own half and the striker showed great pace to escape the County defence. Keeper Fraser committed himself as he rushed out from goal and Russell showed great composure to slide it past him into an empty net.
Soon after, Houston made an attacking substitution with Skacel replacing Rankin in the middle of the park. It was a clear statement of intent that he wanted to take all three points from the game.
The move soon paid off as United struck a second and it was Armstrong who started and finished the move. Picking the ball up in his own half he drove at pace deep into the County half. Russell made space on the left to receive the pass and continued forward into the box where he was able to float a deep cross towards Daly. The big striker unselfishly headed the ball back across goal and Armstrong had a simple job to nod into the empty net.
With his side now ahead in the game, Houston replaced Mackay-Steven with holding midfielder Ryan. That didn't stop United's attacking intent and they were soon to go close again. County cleared another attack and a defensive header fell perfectly for Armstrong twenty yards out. The midfielder hit a looping volley toward goal, only to see Fraser palm away.
The game opened up as the match progressed and both sides looked for further goals.
With only seconds left Skacel had a great chance to tie up the points but the County keeper used his body to block his shot at close range. That was to be the last kick of the ball as referee Brines blew for full time.
Full time: Ross County 1 - 2 Dundee United
Man of the match: Stuart Armstrong. He produced another commanding display on the left side of midfield. Full of energy and endeavour, epitomised by his winning goal, starting and finishing the move that delivered a crucial three points to Tannadice. A goal that may just kick start United's season.
Teams:
Ross County: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, Boyd, Kovacevic, Kettlewell (McMenamin), Brittain, Vigurs, Fotheringham, Morrow (Ross), Quinn.
Subs not used - Brown, Fitzpatrick, MacPhee, Lawson, Cooper.
Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Douglas, Gunning, Flood, Russell (Gardyne), Rankin (Skacel), Daly (C), Mackay-Steven (Ryan), McLean, Armstrong.
Subs not used - Banks, Watson, Millar, Dow.
Attendance - 3930
Referee - Ian Brines
A crucial match for both sides at the Global Energy Stadium, separated by just a point, County knew a victory would be enough to leap frog their visitors. United, positioned just three points behind the team in fourth position had the incentive of climbing a number of places in the table if other results went their way.
Peter Houston was able to name the same side that produced an exciting comeback in their previous match against Kilmarnock. Keith Watson returned from injury to find a place on the bench. Ex-Tannadice defender Mihael Kovacevic made the first eleven for County, who themselves made two changes from their previous draw at St Johnstone.
The stadium had been bathed in winter sunshine in the run up to kick off, but by 3pm it was the floodlights that were illuminating the playing surface. With not a breath of wind in the air, the conditions were near perfect for this first league clash between the sides in the recently renovated stadium.
United started the match attacking towards their band of supporters in the newly constructed North Stand. Both sides looked full of energy in the opening exchanges. Russell was first to come close after a great interchange between Armstrong and Daly. A deft flick from Daly on the edge of the box let Russell in on goal but his low shot was beaten away by Fraser in the County goal.
After twelve minutes County threatened for the first time. Rocco Quinn pounced on a bouncing ball just outside the United penalty area and struck a right foot effort toward the top corner of the net. Cierzniak had to react quickly, diving high to his left to divert the shot past for a corner.
Midway through the first half United created again. Douglas fed a crisp pass into the waiting Russell. With his back to goal, his neat turn led to a foul 25 yards from goal. Willo Flood hit the free kick and forced Fraser to touch over.
Sam Morrow was the greatest threat for County and on the half hour mark he looked destined to put the Staggies into the lead. With United struggling to clear their lines, a hopeful ball through the heart of their defence left Morrow with a clear run on goal. As Dillon recovered, Morrow was forced to twist and turn to make space before striking a low shot straight at Cierzniak.
As the game edged toward half time, it was County who looked most likely to make the breakthrough. Both sides created some half chances in the ten minutes leading up to the break but defences remained intact.
The only booking in the first half was for County midfielder, Kettlewell for a late tackle on Barry Douglas.
Half time: Ross County 0 - 0 Dundee United
A cold fog descended on the stadium during the interval as both sets of supporters waited for the players return, hoping the second half would bring the first goal between these sides this season.
They didn't have long to wait and it was the County fans who were celebrating. Only two minutes into the second half, Brittain made space on the right and swung in a cross that was measured perfectly for Iain Vigurs. The County man found sufficient space 6 yards out to glance a header low past Cierzniak.
The goal looked to kick United up a gear and they immediately created a great chance at the other end. Armstrong powered in toward goal from the right side and cut back to the waiting Daly. With the goal at his mercy, his right foot shot from the penalty spot flew high and wide.
After 52 minutes United equalised. Rankin sent a long ball toward Russell from his own half and the striker showed great pace to escape the County defence. Keeper Fraser committed himself as he rushed out from goal and Russell showed great composure to slide it past him into an empty net.
Soon after, Houston made an attacking substitution with Skacel replacing Rankin in the middle of the park. It was a clear statement of intent that he wanted to take all three points from the game.
The move soon paid off as United struck a second and it was Armstrong who started and finished the move. Picking the ball up in his own half he drove at pace deep into the County half. Russell made space on the left to receive the pass and continued forward into the box where he was able to float a deep cross towards Daly. The big striker unselfishly headed the ball back across goal and Armstrong had a simple job to nod into the empty net.
With his side now ahead in the game, Houston replaced Mackay-Steven with holding midfielder Ryan. That didn't stop United's attacking intent and they were soon to go close again. County cleared another attack and a defensive header fell perfectly for Armstrong twenty yards out. The midfielder hit a looping volley toward goal, only to see Fraser palm away.
The game opened up as the match progressed and both sides looked for further goals.
With only seconds left Skacel had a great chance to tie up the points but the County keeper used his body to block his shot at close range. That was to be the last kick of the ball as referee Brines blew for full time.
Full time: Ross County 1 - 2 Dundee United
Man of the match: Stuart Armstrong. He produced another commanding display on the left side of midfield. Full of energy and endeavour, epitomised by his winning goal, starting and finishing the move that delivered a crucial three points to Tannadice. A goal that may just kick start United's season.
Teams:
Ross County: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, Boyd, Kovacevic, Kettlewell (McMenamin), Brittain, Vigurs, Fotheringham, Morrow (Ross), Quinn.
Subs not used - Brown, Fitzpatrick, MacPhee, Lawson, Cooper.
Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Douglas, Gunning, Flood, Russell (Gardyne), Rankin (Skacel), Daly (C), Mackay-Steven (Ryan), McLean, Armstrong.
Subs not used - Banks, Watson, Millar, Dow.
Attendance - 3930
Referee - Ian Brines
