St Mirren Photos

 

St Mirren 1, Dundee 0,SMiSA Stadium, William Hill Premiership, 20-September-25

 More to follow

Dundee 3, Livingston 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 20th September 2025

Dundee made one change when Cameron Congreve took the place of the suspended Yan Dhandi after impressing as a substitute against Motherwell.

Livingston started well and Jon McCracken made two routine saves, when first he pushed a shot round the post. From the corner it was a straight shot.

After this Dundee settled and played some good football, going down each wing to create chance whhich Livi managed to clear with a bit of luck.

Livingston only had one more chance but again McCracken saved the shot from Muirhead. On the 43rd minuted Dundee took a deserved lead when good work from Congreve to race into space down the right and sent a fast low pass across goal for Simon Murray to smack the ball home at the far post.

Dundee started the second half well and just lacked the final ball to the get the vital second goal. After 64 minutes Congreve picked up a misplaced pass on the halfway line. He ran into space created by Murray’s run to distract the defence and cut inside onto his left foot to shoot. Keeper Prior pulled off a superb save at the expense of a corner.

Two minutes late it was 2-0 when a good ball from Finlay Robertson and this send Cameron Congreve clear and his back post ball was knocked into the net by Joe Westley for his first goal for the club.

Dundee continued to threaten and looked sure to go on and take the three points comfortably. However, Livingston made three substitutions and livened up. The Dark Blues were coping with the attempted fight back but an unfortunate own goal by Clark Robertson transformed the game. A low cross struck his shin and flew past McCracken.

Callum Jones had already come on for Tony Yogane and straight after the goal Emile Acquah, Ashley Hay and Imari Samuels replacle Simon Murray, Joe Westley and Cameron Congreve.

Dundee were under pressure as Livingston went looking for a second goal. They got it from the penalty spot after Clark Robertson made which looked a fair tackle in the box, Bokila scored with ease and now it was 2-2.

The game went from end to end as both teams looked for a winner. Ashley hay headed over when maybe he should have done better. Livingston raced down the park and McCracken pulled off a great save and Ryan Astley cleared the ball off the line.

Perhaps Livingston lost their concentration at the miss because they were wide open when Dundee broke at pace. Reilly ran into the penalty area and was tripped by Danny Wilson. Referee Ross Hardie immediately pointed to the spot. Livingston delayed the spot kick while a player was treated for injury in the penalty area. When Callum Jones was about to take the penalty the referee was belatedly called to the VAR monitor to review his decision.

After three minutes and the referee stuck to his decision and pointed to the spot. Up stepped Callum Jones to score sending the keeper the wrong way to the send the Dundee fans wild. After this the referee played for a minute to finally end the game.

Great three points for the club, and sets up a visit to St Mirren next Saturday which will be a test.

Dundee: McCracken, Wright, Astley, C Robertson, Graham, F Robertson (Reilly 89), Hamilton,   Congreve (Samuels 76), Westley (Hay 76), Yogane (Jones 71), Murray (c) (Acquah 76). Unused Subs:  Carson (gk), Ingram, Koumetio, Galabov.

Referee: Ross Hardie.

Att: 5,108

Dundee Sign Goal-keeper

Dundee have signed goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara on a deal till the end of the season. O’Hara, who has two senior caps for the Republic of Ireland, joins Dundee having left Kilmarnock at the end of last season.

In two seasons at Rugby Park, O’Hara played 27 times for Killie in all competitions.

He began his youth career at Manchester United, and during his time with Manchester United, he gained experience on loan at Stockport County, Morecambe, Macclesfield Town and Burton Albion. He then permanently moved to Burton Albion before going to Fleetwood Town and Colchester United.

Kieran will wear No 13 for the Dark Blues.

My view is l never expected this signing and hopefully it's a step in the right direction as I feel the club needed a fresh face to boost the squad.  

Dundee 1, Motherwell 1, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 13th September 2025

Dundee made two changes to their team, Fin Robertson and Tony Yogane came in for Imari Samuels and Callum Jones. They also played four at the back.

The first 20 minutes was quite positive with Dundee attacking and Tony Yogane made some good runs. But after this wee spell Motherwell too control of the game with their neat one touch football.

Dundee’s defence did well to hold out until the 33rd minute when Motherwell stepped up the pace with a fast move that opened up the Dark Blues. Emmanuel Longelo’s pass set up Maswanhise one on one against Luke Graham. He beat the defender for pace before angling a low shot through McCracken’s legs to score.

At least Dundee got to half-time and they will need to change things for the second half.

Joe Westley who had taken a knock and had been booked and he was replaced by Cameron Congreve, and straight away it looked much better. 

Two minutes after the restart Congreve won a free kick on the right. Yan Dhanda played it short to the Welshman and he delivered a wicked curling cross to the far post for Luke Graham to run in and head home.

Only a minute later Dhanda dinked a cross to the near post and Simon Murray sent a diving header narrowly wide.

Murray should have put the Dark Blues ahead after 55 minutes. Congreve won the ball inside the penalty area and set up Murray for a tap in. Somehow the ball didn’t end up in the net and screwed past the post.

But at least things were looking up and Dundee were like a totally different team. 

There were still two big scares for the Dark Blues, however. Maswanhise chased a long ball and hooked a cross across goal from the byline. McCracken and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos both went for the ball, which somehow evaded both of them before drifting across goal and past the post. The Australian striker suffered a painful collision with the near post and had to be substituted.

The Dark Blues lost Yan Dhanda after 85 minutes when he was shown a straight red card for the sort of challenge with studs on Lukas Fadinger that would have been barely noticed by referees once upon a time but is not tolerated now.

Dundee reorganised and sent on Imari Samuels and Callum Jones for Fin Robertson and Simon Murray. Six minutes of injury time and the Dark Blues handled them to get a well desrved draw. 

At least it sets up next weeks game against Livingston at Dens this Saturday.

Dundee: McCracken, Wright, Astley, Clark Robertson, Graham, Finlay Robertson (Jones 90+2), Hamilton, Westley (Congreve at half time), Dhanda, Yogane (Hay 71), Murray (c) (Samuel 90+2)

Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Ingram, Koumetio, Acquah, Galabov.

Referee:Calum Scott

Att: 4,572

Dundee 0, Dundee United 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 31-August-25

Dundee made one change when Ethan Hamilton replaced Fin Robertson in central midfield to make his debut. 

The game got off to poor start with both teams keeping it tight, too busy in keeping the ball. Most times the final ball being poor. 

United scored in 14 minutes which looked a poor goal for Dundee to lose, giving Und too much space. 

Simon Murray got away from Bert Esselink onto a long pass from Yan Dhanda, but Yevheni Kucherenko stretched to turn away his lob. Referee Steven McLean awarded a free kick against Murray, however. That this incident is worth a mention illustrates how the Dee never got their game going in the first half and failed to give the United defence any real problems. 

Dundee continued to struggle and did this for most of the first half. 

At half time Dundee made two changes. Tony Yogane and Cam Congreve came on for Yan Dhanda and Joe Westley. The Dark Blues started with greater intent and energy, but this didn’t lead to any sustained impetus.

Ethan Hamilton had a run and shot but it was too straight and the keeper saved was too easy. After this the game went back to being poor to watch. United were happy to deep defend and Dundee shwed very little between midfield and attack.

With Simon Murray playing upfront he needed more help to cause Und any problem. United scored late on to seal the win which they deseved.

Fin Robertson, Billy Koumetio and Emile Acquah came on for Callum Jones, Drey Wright and Imari Samuels. It sadly did not change the flow of the game.

But for Dundee today they were very poor in linking play with any pace and it was a poor game for a big crowd to watch. United did not need to be good today, but it was too easy for them as the space they got.

Next up is Motherwell at home and we need to be 100% much better than today.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Robertson , Graham, Wright (Acquah 78), Jones (Fin Robertson 78), Hamilton, Samuels (Koumetio 78). Westley (Congreve at half time), Dhanda (Yogane at half time), Murray (c). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Hay, Garza, Galabov.

Referee: Steven McLean. 

Att: 10,750

Dundee Sign Ethan Hamilton

Dundee have signed midfielder Ethan Hamilton on a three-year deal from Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

The 26 year old has spend his time in English football from the age of 15. Includes Manchester United from a young age. He had loan spells at Rochdale, Southend United and Bolton Wanderers. In 2020, Hamilton left Manchester United and signed for English League One side Peterborough United and was part of the squad that finished second and were promoted to the Championship, playing 34 league matches that season. He would then go on to spend two seasons with League One side Accrington Stanley, where he played 87 times, scoring 13 goals. In 2023, he continued his stay in League One, joining Lincoln City. During his time at the Imps, he played 82 times and scored three times.

Ethan will be a good signing for the club, also important we build a squad mainly full of club signings. It will cut down the loan signings.

Kilmarnock Photos

 

Kilmarnock 0, Dundee 0, Rugby Park, William Hill Premiership, 23-August-25

Dundee's Simon Murray returned from injury and Yan Dhanda came in for his debut. They replaced Ash Hay, who was on the bench, and the injured Paul Digby. The formation looked 3-5-2 on paper, but in practice it was more like 3-4-2-1, with Callum Jones and Fin Robertson the central midfielders while Joe Westley and Yan Dhanda played in front of them, behind and either side of Simon Murray.  

They started well and played some neat football, but Killie had the first real shot at goal which Jon McCracken saved well. Kilmarnock looked more dangerous on set pieces but the dundee defence done well to keep them out.

Ryan Astley had to go off for treament for a head knock, but he returned and at least the score was 0-0. 

A rare Dee attack produced a lovely probing, passing move on the right which ended with Dhanda whipping over a cross to the near post that was flicked on by Murray. Westley forced the ball past the keeper from a tight angle and into the net off defender Ethan Brown. The goal was awarded at first but a VAR review ruled it out for offside against Murray.

It was offside but a bit tight it could had changed the game, but least Dundee kept at until half-time which ended 0-0.

Second half and Dundee were much the same keeping it tight and Killie were putting Dundee under more pressure and Jon McCracken puled off a few good saves to deny them.

After that tricky spell Dundee held strong and stopped Kilmarnock creating much in the last 20 minutes.

Yan Dhanda was replaced by Tony Yogane just after the hour, and then Cesar Garza, Billy Koumetio, Ash Hay and Cam Congreve came on for Fin Robertson, Luke Graham, Simon Murray and Joe Westley. The fresh legs allowed Dundee to get into the final third more in the closing stages. There were a few promising moments, but only in injury time did Dundee manage to get a serious shot on target, when Congreve’s 20 yarder was turned away for a corner by Stryjek.

Time ran out for both teams and the draw was a fine point for the dark blues. Another bonus was the clean sheet, which will boost confidence within the squad.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, C Robertson (c), Graham ( Koumetio 72), Wright, Jones, Dhanda (Yogane 62), F Robertson (Garza 72), Samuels, Westley (Congreve 77), Murray (c) (Hay 77). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Ingram, Donnelly, Acquah. 

Referee: Ryan Lee

Att: 5,620

Dundee Sign Cameron Congreve

Dundee have signed midfielder  Cameron Congreve on a season-long loan deal from Swansea City. The 21 year old  has been with Swansea since he was nine,

Congreve made his first-team debut for Swansea at the age of 18 in the English Championship against Blackpool in 2022. He has gone on to make 19 appearances for the Swans.

Last season he was on loan at Bromley, where he played 47 times, scored 6 goals and had 7 assists in all competitions. One of his goals came in the FA Cup at St James’ Park against Newcastle United.

He has also played for Wales U15s, 16s, 18s, 19s and 21s. He has 6 caps for the Under 21’s with his debut coming against Denmark in June 2023..

Cameron will wear No 20 for the dark blues this season.

Oldham Trip Photos

 

A trip down to see Oldham Athletic, and Yes I would have got off the Waggon!

After Dundee's League Cup exit l decided to go down and see Oldham Athletic play Swindon Town. It was a 12:30 kick-off so we had to leave home on the Airport bus to Edinburgh at 03:30 in the morning. We arrived on time and got another bus in to the centre to catch the 06:13 train to Manchester Piccadilly.

It was a quick journey down and my good friend Malc and Sue got on at Lancaster as they live in Morecambe now.

We got the 182 bus to Oldham and the bus stops 5 minutes from Boundary Park, we had a couple of refreshments in the bar under the Joe Royle stand.

Oldham Athletic 1, Swindon Town 2, League Two, Boundary Park, 16-August-25

Latics got off to a poor start and lost a goal in 5 minutes, It looked bad and not being tight enough in defence. This gave Swindon a big lift and latics struggle under the pressure. Swindon scored again after 20 minutes with a well work goal , but terrible from Oldham's point of view. 

On 34 minutes Latics responded to the second goal well and began to create chances. From Ryan Woods’ freekick from the right side, Joe Quigley rose but couldn’t keep his header down. 

Then ten minutes before the break, Latics pulled one back. Tom Conlon’s freekick was met by Joe Quigley, whose header was too much for a stretching Connor Ripley. 

The goal rallied Latics, with the hosts pressing for a leveller. Moments later, Conlon’s ball over the top set Jame Robson through and the wing-back was shoved to the floor, but referee Greg Rollason waved play on. 

Mike Fondop then came close, connecting with a header, but the former Latics ‘keeper Ripley got down to hold. 

With five minutes before the break, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan threatened for the Robins, flicking the ball over Donervon Daniels and finding space, but his effort was straight into the arms of Hudson. 

Second half and latics were much better and had a few attacks which was better to watch. The introduction of Kieron Morris on the hour-mark saw Mellon’s side switch back to a back four, as Latics went about equalising. 

Last week’s goalscorer Josh Hawkes came on to try and make an impact as the hosts tried to force a leveller. The Oldham number 21 whipped a cross into the area on the 72nd minute mark, which Ripley couldn’t keep hold of. However, nobody in Latics blue was there to pounce. 

With five minutes to go, Swindon had the chance to put the game to bed. Billy Bodin went down the right and put a cross into the area with Smith sliding in to connect with. From yards out, the Swindon frontman’s shot blazed over the bar. 

Latics thought they had the equaliser with one minute remaining. Ripley struggled to get something on Wood’s cross form the left and the ball dropped to Quigley inside the box. His effort was blocked on the line by a defender, with the referee waving away protests for a penalty. 

But time ran out and likely Swindon were just the better side, they played ok in the second half. But will need to get that first win the league to really start the season.

Oldham Athletic: Hudson; Sutton (Morris 61’), Daniels, Monthe; Ogle, Conlon ©, Woods, Robson; Hannant (Hawkes 69’); Fondop (Harratt 84’), Quigley. Unused Subs: Donaghy (GK), Drummond, Olson, Hammond.

Referee: Greg Rollason

Attendance: 6,955 

After the game we went back to Bar 1895 before our bus back to Piccadilly for our train to Lancaster. Things went quick and were back to Morecambe at 18:30 for a meal and a few drinks. Walked about done the Eric Morcambe statue.

After this Andrew and myself headed back to Malc's house on where we were staying the night. We got relaxed and had a few beers as we shared memories on when we first met in 1987 when Dundee and Oldham played in the Isle of Man Football Tourament. 

Next day we went to Lancaster where we had a walk about and had a beer in the Merchants 1688 which has a long history. Then after this we had a look at Lancaster Castle and Malc told us about the Pendle Witches which go back to 1612 when the trial happened. 

After being found guilty they would go on a waggon where they were taken down to The Golden Lion for their last drink before being hung in the gallows. 

Another famous local legend is that of the teetotal man who, after being condemned to death for his crimes, had refused his final drink at the Golden Lion. The story goes that had he stopped and taken his right to a last drink, he would have been in the Golden Lion when his pardon arrived by courier. As it was he had already been hanged by the time his pardon arrived…………Who says drinking is bad for you?

After that we had a quick pint and sat outside waiting on our train home. It was a fine way to end our trip, and thanks to Malc and Sue for looking after us so well.