First Team
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME | PARTICK THISTLE
3rd May 2024
United lined up with Euan McLean in goal behind a back three of Stuart Abbot, Gregg Burnett and Ross Gardiner. Sean Fleming played wide on the left with Barry Callaghan on the right and Greg Cameron and David Robertson in the middle. Kieron McAleenan played a linking role just behind Joe Andrew and David Goodwillie.
With the benefit of a strong wind, United had the better of the first half with Andrew unlucky not to score when his dipping half volley on the quarter hour mark cannoned off the underside of the bar with Reidford well beaten. The same player was also on target five minutes later but the keeper gathered. Rangers had little to offer in the early stages but had a great chance to go in front. The chance was lost when Johnston scooped his effort over the bar after Gilmour had worked hard on the right to create the opening.
Andrew saw his next effort deflected away for a corner and then a strong driven shot from Burnett was gathered low by Reidford. McAleenan was next to have a go but his shot went over the top. With United pressing, the goal they deserved came in thirty-two minutes. It was a fine individual effort by Goodwillie who took the ball into the Rangers box and forced his way through a ruck of defenders to slot home from ten yards. Rangers had the opportunity to pull level just before the interval but with the goal at his mercy, Frizzell contrived to hit the post and the ball was cleared.
After the interval United were more on the defensive and it was Rangers who had most of the play with the wind advantage. Twice in the early part of the half United were almost caught out by short corners but the first effort from Agnew went over and then McLean did well to push away another effort from the same player. United were not completely out of it and had several good chances on the break but the keeper blocked two from Goodwillie and another from Robertson.
Mid way through the half, McLean did well again when he parried an effort from Crooks. As the pattern of the game continued unaltered, neither side could carve out a real opening until Johnston had a chance with a header right at the end but his effort went well over.
After the match Tony Docherty praised his young side for a good performance in difficult conditions. He said, "I was a little critical of our showing last week but today we got back to the way we know the lads can play. We took full advantage of the wind in the first half and gained a lead through a great individual goal by David Goodwillie. After the break we knew we would have to defend as Rangers had the wind but I feel we still did well playing on the break. We saw another side to how the boys can play and I was very pleased with the overall team performance. Their attitude was back to its best and they showed great character."
United : McLean, Abbot, Fleming (Andreoni 77), Burnett, Cameron, Gardiner, Callaghan, Robertson, Goodwillie, Andrew, McAleenan.
Subs Not Used : Gibson, Flynn, McDonald, McCord.
With the benefit of a strong wind, United had the better of the first half with Andrew unlucky not to score when his dipping half volley on the quarter hour mark cannoned off the underside of the bar with Reidford well beaten. The same player was also on target five minutes later but the keeper gathered. Rangers had little to offer in the early stages but had a great chance to go in front. The chance was lost when Johnston scooped his effort over the bar after Gilmour had worked hard on the right to create the opening.
Andrew saw his next effort deflected away for a corner and then a strong driven shot from Burnett was gathered low by Reidford. McAleenan was next to have a go but his shot went over the top. With United pressing, the goal they deserved came in thirty-two minutes. It was a fine individual effort by Goodwillie who took the ball into the Rangers box and forced his way through a ruck of defenders to slot home from ten yards. Rangers had the opportunity to pull level just before the interval but with the goal at his mercy, Frizzell contrived to hit the post and the ball was cleared.
After the interval United were more on the defensive and it was Rangers who had most of the play with the wind advantage. Twice in the early part of the half United were almost caught out by short corners but the first effort from Agnew went over and then McLean did well to push away another effort from the same player. United were not completely out of it and had several good chances on the break but the keeper blocked two from Goodwillie and another from Robertson.
Mid way through the half, McLean did well again when he parried an effort from Crooks. As the pattern of the game continued unaltered, neither side could carve out a real opening until Johnston had a chance with a header right at the end but his effort went well over.
After the match Tony Docherty praised his young side for a good performance in difficult conditions. He said, "I was a little critical of our showing last week but today we got back to the way we know the lads can play. We took full advantage of the wind in the first half and gained a lead through a great individual goal by David Goodwillie. After the break we knew we would have to defend as Rangers had the wind but I feel we still did well playing on the break. We saw another side to how the boys can play and I was very pleased with the overall team performance. Their attitude was back to its best and they showed great character."
United : McLean, Abbot, Fleming (Andreoni 77), Burnett, Cameron, Gardiner, Callaghan, Robertson, Goodwillie, Andrew, McAleenan.
Subs Not Used : Gibson, Flynn, McDonald, McCord.
