DUFC

McGOWAN'S DEBUT PLEASES MALPAS

27th November 2001

Missing key players from their recent five match undefeated run due to CIS Cup Quarter-Final action against Hibernian the following evening, the United Under-21 side put on a brave performance against a strong Rangers side that featured Dodds and Mols with McCann on the bench.

A debut was given up front to 16 year old Stephen McGowan as a reward for excellent performances in the Youth team. Combe, Wright, Partridge and the returning Jamie Buchan provided the experience for the Young Tangerines.

In the match played at Dumbarton's new home, the Strathclyde Homes stadium, United suffered badly in the first 15 minutes when firstly, Dobbie opened the scoring with only 2 minutes on the clock and then Mols took full advantage of a Combe error to put the Ibrox side 0-2 ahead.

To their credit, the Under-21's fought back to level the match by half-time. Partridge pulled one back when he took advantage of a rebound from a Winters header and then Winters equalised on the half hour when he chipped Rangers keeper McGregor.

In the 50th minutes, Winters scored his second and United's third when he slotted home a penalty, having been taken down by a Rangers defender. The lead lasted just two minutes when the home side equalised from the penalty spot following a Cocozza foul on McLean. Malcolm did the needful and the match stood at 3-3.

With less than five minutes remaining, Russell shot a Combe block into the net and United's recent run had bravely come to an end.

A strong performance from Winters who scored two and was involved in the other United goal plus an excellent debut from McGowan were the major plus points for the Tangerines.

The next Under 21 match is a return match at Tannadice Park on Monday 3rd December when Rangers are the visitors.

UNITED: Combe, Duff, Buchan, Cocozza, Wright, Partride (Wilson), O'Brien, Curran (O'Donnell), Winters, Reilly, McGowan (Ogunmade), SUBS NOT USED: Fionda, Anderson