MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
The Dundee United Youth squad faced Rangers tonight in the SFA Youth Cup. A spirited performance against the Ibrox youngsters was not enough as Rangers ran out winners by the odd goal in five.
Rangers made much of the early running and McCann parried a powerful header from McKenzie before the visitors had the ball in the net in the seventh minute but the referee warded United a free-kick for a foul on Anderson. Davidson then fired in low from 18 yards but McCann held it safely and Molloy, who had a very good first half, blocked a McCormack effort point blank.
As the half progressed, United began to settle and were creating openings down the right. One move involving Abbot and Andrew released Conway who surged into the box on the right but his low driven shot was smothered by the trialist in the Rangers goal. Conway was also unlucky not to connect with a well-flighted Jarvis free-kick and the ball just skimmed off the striker's head. Up with the attack mid way through the half, Molloy fired in a volley but it swerved away from the left hand post. At the other end, Adam hit a shot across the United goal just wide and McCann did well to get his body behind a fierce McCormack free-kick. With 27 minutes gone, United took the lead when a good ball over the defence dropped between the keeper and Andrew (pictured) and the United man got there first to flick it over the keeper and into the net. The lead was fairly short-lived, however, and Rangers drew level with a powerful Adam volley from 25 yards which gave McCann no chance. For United, Andrew had another chance but this time the lob was deflected away for a corner. The visitors finished on the attack and McKenzie headed over the top and then Smith had to be alert to intercept a dangerous cross into the box.
Half Time
Dundee United 1 Rangers 1
The second half opened with a desperate scramble in the United penalty area but the ball was eventually cleared by a combination of Hunter and Anderson. Five minutes later, United won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Jarvis was unlucky to see his effort deflected away. Rangers went on the offensive again and McCann saved well at the feet of McCormack and the keeper also held a low Adam drive. But with twenty minutes of the second half gone, he was caught out at the near post when McCormack curled a free-kick into the net off the inside of the post. With play now flowing from end to end, Anderson might have done better with a loose ball which he tried to lob but it was easy for the keeper. Then, with seventeen minutes to go, Rangers scored a third when the United defence failed to clear a corner kick and McCormack pounced on the loose ball in the box to beat McCann.
In response, United went all out and had the ball in the net when Jarvis fed Bell from a quick free-kick. However, the referee ordered the kick to be taken again. Bell was out of luck again minutes later when he hit the post after collecting an excellent ball over the defence by McDonald. In the latter stages the young Tangerines tried everything, including sending McCann up to join the attack for a corner! The United pressure finally paid off when Anderson headed home from a corner early in time added on but time ran out with the home side driving forward looking for an equaliser.
Full Time
Dundee United 2 Rangers 3
In an evenly balanced contest the young Tangerines performed extremely well against a Rangers side which is currently undefeated this season and there was no doubting the commitment shown by the Dundee United players.
McCann, Abbot, Jarvis, Hunter, Anderson, Malloy, Robertson (Smith 38), Bell, Conway (Easton 82), Craig (McDonald 62), Andrew.
Subs Not Used : Band, Lau.
Rangers made much of the early running and McCann parried a powerful header from McKenzie before the visitors had the ball in the net in the seventh minute but the referee warded United a free-kick for a foul on Anderson. Davidson then fired in low from 18 yards but McCann held it safely and Molloy, who had a very good first half, blocked a McCormack effort point blank.
As the half progressed, United began to settle and were creating openings down the right. One move involving Abbot and Andrew released Conway who surged into the box on the right but his low driven shot was smothered by the trialist in the Rangers goal. Conway was also unlucky not to connect with a well-flighted Jarvis free-kick and the ball just skimmed off the striker's head. Up with the attack mid way through the half, Molloy fired in a volley but it swerved away from the left hand post. At the other end, Adam hit a shot across the United goal just wide and McCann did well to get his body behind a fierce McCormack free-kick. With 27 minutes gone, United took the lead when a good ball over the defence dropped between the keeper and Andrew (pictured) and the United man got there first to flick it over the keeper and into the net. The lead was fairly short-lived, however, and Rangers drew level with a powerful Adam volley from 25 yards which gave McCann no chance. For United, Andrew had another chance but this time the lob was deflected away for a corner. The visitors finished on the attack and McKenzie headed over the top and then Smith had to be alert to intercept a dangerous cross into the box.
Half Time
Dundee United 1 Rangers 1
The second half opened with a desperate scramble in the United penalty area but the ball was eventually cleared by a combination of Hunter and Anderson. Five minutes later, United won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Jarvis was unlucky to see his effort deflected away. Rangers went on the offensive again and McCann saved well at the feet of McCormack and the keeper also held a low Adam drive. But with twenty minutes of the second half gone, he was caught out at the near post when McCormack curled a free-kick into the net off the inside of the post. With play now flowing from end to end, Anderson might have done better with a loose ball which he tried to lob but it was easy for the keeper. Then, with seventeen minutes to go, Rangers scored a third when the United defence failed to clear a corner kick and McCormack pounced on the loose ball in the box to beat McCann.
In response, United went all out and had the ball in the net when Jarvis fed Bell from a quick free-kick. However, the referee ordered the kick to be taken again. Bell was out of luck again minutes later when he hit the post after collecting an excellent ball over the defence by McDonald. In the latter stages the young Tangerines tried everything, including sending McCann up to join the attack for a corner! The United pressure finally paid off when Anderson headed home from a corner early in time added on but time ran out with the home side driving forward looking for an equaliser.
Full Time
Dundee United 2 Rangers 3
In an evenly balanced contest the young Tangerines performed extremely well against a Rangers side which is currently undefeated this season and there was no doubting the commitment shown by the Dundee United players.
McCann, Abbot, Jarvis, Hunter, Anderson, Malloy, Robertson (Smith 38), Bell, Conway (Easton 82), Craig (McDonald 62), Andrew.
Subs Not Used : Band, Lau.
