Celtic 2, Dundee 0, Celtic Park, William Hill Premiership, 30th October 2024

Dundee made three changes from Saturday’s line-up. Jon McCracken replaced the injured Trevor Carson in goal. Antonio Portales came into central defence and Josh Mulligan into midfield with Billy Koumetio and Curtis Main named on the bench.

Dundee had a great chance to take the lead in the first half when Fin Robertson’s free kick from the right was nodded down by Clark Robertson and Antonio Portales’s shot was kept out at full stretch by Schmeichel.

Dundee settled in and worked hard to stop Celtic who had a few good chances, Jon McCracken made a good save using hiss foot to block.

Dundee got to half-time in no danger when Celtic struggled to open the scoring.

Second half and McCracken made a few saves, the pick was a diving one to deny Palma’s volley and then recovered quickly enough to block Kyago’s close range follow up.

But they scored on the hour when Johnston nipped in at near post to score a well taken goal. Dundee had a rare attack but failed to score. Seven minutes later it was 2-0 from the penalty spot when Portales was adjudged to pull Kyogo's shirt. 

It looked very soft but Engels scored and that ended the game. For Dundee the only bonus was the younger players to play at Celtic Park.

Dundee: McCracken, Ingram, Astley, Clark Robertson, Portales, Larkeche, Cameron (Braybrooke 85), Sylla, Mulligan, Fin Robertson, Murray (c) (Palmer-Houlden 68). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Adewumi, Koumetio, McGhee, Main, Vetro.

Referee: Ross Hardie

Att: 58,751

St Johnstone Photos

 

Dundee 1, St Johnstone 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 26 October 2024

Dundee only made one change from the team that won at Motherwell last Saturday. Mo Sylla returning from suspension. He took the place of the injured Scott Fraser.

Dundee started well and played some good football, Saints themselves looked good on the ball as well, But their defence struggled a couple of times in the first few minutes.

Tt was no surprise when they scored on 12 minutes, a long ball from Carson found Simon Murray who got clear to lob the keeper and chest the ball into the net to score a well taken goal. 

For St Johnstone it was a poor goal to lose, a minute late they were in a mess again, but this time Ziyad Larkeche’s powerful shot was well saved.

After this the game swung Saints way where they had more of the ball, as the Dundee midfield struggled to create anything.

Trevor Carson made a great save to deny Saints a certain goal where here he dived at the feet of  Sidibeh.

Dundee's only real chance was a Murray shot which went wide after a cut back from Robertson.

Dundee made one change at half-time when Sammy Braybrooke came on for Mo Sylla. It didn’t change the patterrn of the game.

It looked like Saints would score and they came close a few times before on 57 minutes when Carey curled a shot past Carson for a well taken goal,

Dundee responded with a triple substitution, sending on Seun Adewumi, Scott Tiffoney, and Seb Palmer-Houlden to replace Ethan Ingram, Ziyad Larkeche, and Curtis Main. 

For a ten minute spell Dundee looked much better, but Saints finished the game the better side.

And on 90th minutes Clark scored the winner for Saints when he forced the ball home. After a check with VAR they could not say if Clark was off-side, It took 6 minutes to finally make a decision for the goal to stand.

Dundee were poor today and deserved to lose, but tough to lose another late goal.

Dundee: Carson (c), Astley, Koumetio, Clark Robertson, Ingram (Adewumi 68), Cameron (Mullgian 82), Sylla (Braybrooke at half time), Fin Robertson, Larkeche (Palmer-Houlden 68), Murray, Main (Tiffoney 68). Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Portales, Vetro.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Att: 6,548

Motherwell Photos

 

Motherwell 0, Dundee 1, Fir Park, William Hill Premiership, 19th October 2024

Dundee's line-up had four changes. Trevor Carson, Ryan Astley, Scott Fraser and Fin Robertson came in for their their first starts in the league this season. They replaced Jon McCracken, Antonio Portales and Scott Tiffoney, who were on the bench, and the suspended Mo Sylla.

Motherwell  had the first chance but Zach Robinson's shot failed to trouble Carson. Dundee then made sure that the midfield got together more and stopped Motherwell getting many chances. 

They started to play some neat football passing the ball about well. Ryan Astley blasted high over the bar when Murray headed down from a corner. A lovely pass by Clark Robertson sent Lyall Cameron away down the left. Murray’s first touch from Cameron’s low cross was poor and Well scrambled clear.

But it paid off on 38 minutes when Cameron won the ball on the edge of the penalty area as Well tried to clear. He set up Ziyad Larkeche to cross. Murray’s diving header was blocked. The ball came back to Lyall Cameron who shot home with a fine finish.

The Steelmen made a few changes at half-time, but Dundee were in total control, Main had a shot saved and Murray put one just past the post.

Trevor Carson had to make only one save that was more than routine. Lennon Miller got plenty of power into a shot from 25 yards, but the Dee keeper beat it away confidently.

Scott Tiffoney replaced Lyall Cameron, and then Scott Fraser was substituted after receiving treatment. Antonio Portales came on as a straight replacement in central midfield.

Motherwell had a wee ten minutes spell but Dundee were in no danger on losing a goal. 

Dundee deserved the win today and it capped off a fine day at Fir Park.

Dundee: Carson (c), Astley, Koumetio, Clark Robertson, Ingram, Cameron (Tiffoney 71), Fraser (Portales 76), Fin Robertson, Larkeche, Murray (Palmer-Houlden 80), Main. Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Mulligan, Adewumi, Braybrooke, Vetro.

Referee: Euan Anderson

Att: 5,084

Kilmarnock Photos

 

Dundee 2, Kilmarnock 3, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 05-October-24

Dundee started the game with great style and they attacked the Kilmarnock goal. Scott Tiffoney, playing in the number 10 role behind the two strikers, sent Larkeche into the penalty area. The Frenchman beat his first man, but his cut back was cleared.

Curtis Main ran into the penalty area to take a lovely through ball from Billy Koumetio only for his first touch to let him down.

Larkeche picked up a loose ball and smashed a ferocious rising shot just past the post from 20 yards.

But two minutes later Dundee took the lead with a clever goal, great play between Larkeche and Cameron and Ziyad Larkeche raced into the box to score with a low drive which wemt in off the post.

It was what Dundee deserved, with Killie have a few break away which Dundee defended with ease.

The game turned on a refereeing decision after 43 minutes. Mo Sylla picked up a second yellow card in circumstances that puzzled the Dundee fans in the stands.

At half time Scott Fraser came on for the unfortunate Curtis Main to rebalance the midfield. Dundee had a few early chances which they failed to take. Kilmarnock did take control of the game as Dundee were pulled wide all the time.

Kilmarnock came close a few times and hit the post in one attack. Midway through the half Dundee replaced the hard-working Simon Murray and Scott Tiffoney with Seb Palmer-Houlden and Seun Adewumi to try and provide fresh legs that would give Killie more problems.

Dundee went 2-0 up on 81 minutes when a Palmer-Houlden knock on fell to Seun Adewumi who held off the defender to lob the ball home for a superb goal. It looked to win the games for Dundee.

But Killie pulled a goal back with 86 minutes gone, they levelled the game two minutes later. Then 4 minutes into injury time the scored the winner after Dundee failed to clear.

Dundee: McCracken. Portales, Clark Robertson, Koumetio, Ingram (Astley 88), Cameron, Sylla, Tiffoney (Adewumi 66), Larkeche, Murray (c) (Palmer-Houlden 66), Main (Fraser at half time). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Mulligan, Fin Robertson, Braybrooke, Vetro.

Referee: Grant Irvine

Att: 5,316.

A tough day for DFC fans today and thet team must defend better for the whole game, they played some good football when they had 11 players. The sending off changed the game and it looked very very poor from the referee. 

But we move on and big two games coming up v Motherwell (away) and St Johnstone at home.

Dundee 1, Aberdeen 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 28-September-24

There were three changes to the Dee’s starting eleven. Jon McCracken replaced Trevor Carson in goal. Ethan Ingram came in for the injured Jordan McGhee, and Clark Robertson made his competitive debut in a three man central defence with Seun Adewumi moving to the bench as the Dee switched to a 3-5-2 formation.

Before the game there was a moving tribute with a minute’s applause for Fabian Caballero who died tragically and far too young yesterday.

Dundee started well and Larkeche  burst into the box, but Aberdeen cleared. Both teams were playing some nice football in a open game which was good to watch.

But Aberdeen scored soon after when Dundee failed to clear a long ball and Nisbet scored with a fine finish. It was soft from Dundee.

Dundee continued to play well without creating any chances in open play. A free kick by Sammy Braybrooke was dropped under pressure by Mitov but Aberdeen escaped the resulting goalmouth scramble.

Dundee went 2-0 down after 32 minutes again it looked slack play from Dundee, and Keskinen scored with ease. 

Finally the Dark Blues got a break at the end of first half. Trying to deal with a long clearance from McCracken, under pressure from Simon Murray, Aberdeen’s central defender Gavin Molloy botched a headed backpass. Murray pounced and was clear inside the penalty area but was tripped from behind by Molloy as he was about to shoot.

Up stepped Simon Murray to score with ease and put Dundee back into the game, with the second half to come.

Mo Sylla, who was injured and replaced by Josh Mulligan at half time. And Josh made a good run and cross which Tiffoney headed over. 

Dundee continued to put Aberdeen under constant pressure, with the Dons keeping all 10 men back in their own half for long periods

With 15 minutes left to play Dundee made a triple substitution. Curtis Main, Seun Adewumi, and Scott Fraser (making his debut), replaced Simon Murray, Ziyad Larkeche and Sammy Braybrooke.

Dundee were in total control and they saw the game out without getting a goal they deserved to earn at least a point. 

It was a tough defeat to take, as the team played very well today.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Clark Robertson, Koumetio, Ingram (Vetro 87), Braybrooke (Main 79), Sylla (Mulligan at half time), Cameron, Larkeche (Fraser 79), Murray (c) (Adewumi 79), Tiffoney. Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Astley, Fin Robertson, Palmer-Houlden.

Referee: Calum Scott

Att: 9,030

Rangers 3, Dundee 0, Ibrox Stadium, League Cup 1/4 Final, 21st September 2024

Dundee made four changes to the team which faced Ross County last week, Trever Carson, Jordan McGhee, Oluwaseun Adewumi and Samuel Braybrooke replacing John McCracken, Ethan Ingram, Josh Mulligan and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

Rangers started well and put Dundee under some pressure the first 10 minutes or so. They did score on 17 minutes when Dessers initial shot was saved by Carson and made it’s way out to Cerny, his low hard driven shot made it’s way back to Dessers who slotted the ball home.

After a good move Murray had a shot well saved , but it was ruled off-side. The Dark Blues nearly found a breakthrough when Mohamad Sylla played the ball through the Rangers defence for Adewumi to chase but just before he could get proper control of the goal, Butland in the Rangers goal came rushing out top deny the winger.

In the last moments of the half Scott Carson made a couple of good saves , the second one he tipped over the ball as the half ended 1-0 to Rangers,

Dundee made one change at half time with Seb Palmer-Houlden coming on for Adewumi who took a knock near the end of the first half.

Just a few minutes into the second half however, Rangers were awarded a penalty when Sylla was adjudged to have brought down Dessers with Tavernier making no mistake from the spot to make it 2-0. Sylla was also shown a yellow card for his challenge.

Soon after Dundee came close twice when first Palmer-Houlden shot was saved for a corner, and from it Murray's header was saved bu Butland.

Then carson made another two saves and minutes later Seb Palmer-Houlden should haved scored with a header from six yards out.

But dessers scored his second goal and third of the game to finish the contest. Dundee made a change when Braybrooke making way for Josh Mulligan.

Dundee would then create another chance to grab a goal, this time it falling to Tiffoney. A loose ball was picked up by the winger and after taking a few touches, his attempt was saved by Butland.

McGhee went down injured and Manager Tony Docherty made more changes when Tiffoney, Murray and McGhee being replaced by Curtis Main, Julien Vetro and Ethan Ingram.

The game ended 3-0 to the home side and it was a painful one to take result wise. Although they had chances they need to take them in cup games. 

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Koumetio, Larkeche, McGhee (Ingram 77), Sylla, Cameron, Braybrooke (Mulligan 69), Murray (Main 77), Tiffoney (Vetro 77), Adewumi (Palmer-Houlden 46), Unused Subs: McCracken, Robertson, Reilly, Astley

Referee: Chris Graham

Att: 33,665

Scott Fraser Signs Deal at Dens

Dundee have signed midfielder Scott Fraser on a deal till the end of the season, subject to international clearance. The 29-year-old was a free agent after leaving Charlton Athletic on 31st August where he had been since January 2022.

Dundonian Fraser returns to his home city and has played for Dundee United, Airdrieonians, Burton Albion, MK Dons, Ipswich Town, Hearts and Charlton. Scott has played 387 competitive matches and has scored 61 goals in all competitions.

Scott will wear the number 26 for the Dark Blues.

Ross County Photos

 

Ross County 2, Dundee 0, Global Energy Stadium, William Hill Premiership, 14th September 2024

Dundee made three changes from the team that drew with St Mirren. Ethan Ingram, Josh Mulligan and Seb Palmer-Houlden started in the place of Jordan McGhee, Sam Braybrooke and Curtis Main, who were all on the bench.

Dundee started the game poorly and went behind to a set piece goal after only six minutes, when Wright headed home at the far post. This was after County had missed a good chance two minutes earlier.

It set the tone for much of the first half with Dundee struggling to get going in midfield, too many long balls and which led to the strikers not having much on as chances. The wind did not help matters and hopely they can use it better in the second half.

They were a wee bit unlucky on 30 minutes when Murray turned and shot home, it was ruled off for offside. 

The game took a big twist right on half-time, Connor Randall was left alone in space to shoot from 20 yards but he pulled his shot wide. County stayed on the attack and seemed to have won a corner but play was held up for a VAR review and after consulting the monitor the referee decided that Ethan Ingram had pulled Jordan White down off the ball. In the fourth minute of added time White made it 2-0 when he sent Jon McCracken the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Dundee made two changes at half time, sending on Jordan McGhee and Seun Adewumi for Ethan Ingram and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

Dundee were much better in the second half but again failed to turn it into goals. They had a lot of the ball and game ran away from them. 

Ziyad Larkeche had a good shot from 25 yards and Dundee made three more changes when  Fin Robertson, Curtis Main, and Sammy Braybrooke replaced Ziyad Larkeche, Scott Tiffoney and Josh Mulligan.

Dundee had another couple of half chances but the game ended 2-0 for the home side, who forced McCracken into a good save late on.

First defeat in the league and they must bounce back next week for the Cup game at Ibrox.

Dundee: McCracken, Ingram (McGhee at half time), Portales, Koumetio, Larkeche (Fin Robertson 64)

Mulligan (Braybrooke 64), Sylla, Cameron, Palmer-Houlden (Adewumi at half time), Murray(c), Tiffoney (Main 64). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Astley, Graham, Vetro.

Referee: Grant Irvine

Att: 4,069

Oldham Photos

 

Oldham Athletic 1, Southend United 1, Boundary Park, Vandarama National League, 7th September-24

Myself and Alexander travelled down to see Oldham Athletic play Southend United at Boundary Park, We left Cupar at 6am and got down to Oldham via Manchester at half-twelve. We booked into our hotel and arrived at The Rifle Range pub for a few beers. WE met up with Dave Roberts who l have known since 1987.

The game itself was very poor for latics who struggled to get going in the first half.it was no surprize when Southend scored the opening goal.

Second half they were much better and had a really good spell when they levelled the game when Mike Fondop headed home. They were unlucky a few times not to go ahead, but Southend players were going down for treatment too easy for what we saw. 

It took the pressure off them and the game ended 1-1. A fair result in the end and it was Alexanders's first visit to Boundary Park. 

Oldham: Hudson, Ogle, Hobson (Caprice 57'), Raglan, Monthe, Dolan (Fondop-Talum 45'), Lundstram (Khan 73'), Conlon, Uchegbulam (Kitching 73'), Norwood, Charsley (Gardner 16'). Subs: Kitching, Hogan, Fondop-Talum, Gardner, Caprice, Khan, Moloney

Referee: James Linington

Att: 5,622

After the game we had a few drinks in the sports bar at Boundary Park, it was good and we had great company as usual. Around 7pm myself and Alexander had a good meal for our tea, we then headed back to our room for a relaxed time to watch tv and freshen up.

Next morning we had Breakfast which was great, and headed down town to see some sights mainly for Alexander. We then got the bus back to Piccadilly for thr the train home to Cupar we done well and were home at 5pm.

Here's to the next time when to watch Oldham hopelfully later this season.

St Mirren Photos

 

Dundee 2, St Mirren 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 31st August 2024

Dundee made two changes to the team that drew at Hibs last week. Sammy Braybrooke made his Dark Blue debut replacing the much loved Luke McCowan. Curtis Main also came in for Seb Palmer-Houlden, who was on the bench.

The game started brightly with Murray having a shot blocked, and then Main had a effort which just missed the target. St Mirren had chances as well and goals would happen in this game.

It was St Mirren who scored first when Olusanya got pat Portales to score with ease. Just five minutes later it was 1-1, Curtis Main nipped in after a mistake from Tayor to score with fine shot from acute angle. 

But in a crazy period St Mirren scored again when Mandron scored from 30 yards on the half-volley. Main had another shot this time on the turn but it went wide of the post.

Second half  and Dundee had to make a change when Billy Koumetio limped off after lengthy treatment. Ethan Ingram replaced him, taking up the right back slot while Jordan McGhee moved to centre back. 

Dundee came close when Potales just headed wide of the post fro a Braybrook;s cross. The Dark Blues were now attacking with their familiar confident intensity and made it 2-2 after 54 minutes. 

Scott Tiffoney pulled the defence out of position with a driving run through the middle. Lyall Cameron took over and played a beautiful pass into the path of Ziyad Larkeche, racing in from the left and the French full back took a touch before scoring his first goal for the Dee with a low shot from eight yards. 

Just after the hour Josh Mulligan came on for Sammy Braybrooke who looked good with his passing and vision. Dundee pushed for the winner and went close a few times.

But the game ended 2-2, it was end to end stuff so good to watch.

Dundee: McCracken, McGhee, Portales, Koumetio (Ingram 50), Larkeche, Cameron, Sylla, Braybrooke (Mulligan 62), Murray(c), Main, Tiffoney (Palmer-Houlden 90).  Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Sharp (gk), Astley, Robertson, Graham, Vetro.

Referee: Lloyd Wilson

Att: 5,779

It was great to see my Son's photo in the programme taken with Snappy.