Mickael Antoine-Curier scored twice as Dundee cruised to a 4-2 win at Forfar in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup. Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring, then Antoine-Curier struck twice from close-range to make it three just after half an hour. Stephen Tulloch pulled a goal back in a crowded box shortly after the break to give the Loons some hope. Andy Tod's 67th-minute own-goal ended any hope of a comeback before Ross Campbell struck for a late consolation. Dundee: Bullock, Casement (Kerr 80), Malone, Paton, Benedictus, Lauchlan, Cameron, Forsyth, Antoine-Curier, Griffiths, Harkins. Subs Not Used: MacKenzie, Higgins, McMenamin, Geddes. Att: 1,929 Ref: S O'Reilly
Dundee got their first test today when they played Inverness Caley Thistle, and the fans got their money's worth in a four goal thriller. Dundee started brightly and on nine minutes Sean Higgins set up Gary Harkinswho cut inside his man to drill low under Ryan Esson's body from 20 yards. Inverness wasted little time in responding as they went straight up the park in search of an equaliser. Daniel Stratford cut the ball back for an unmarked Robert Eagle on 20 minutes. The former Norwich star should have netted but a brave goal-line block from Eric Paton kept the home side ahead. A minute later, Inverness were level as Sanchez sprang the offside trap and drilled the ball past Tony Bullock from ten yards. The scoring was never going to end there, though, and Dundee restored their advantage on 29 minutes. Colin McMenamin broke clear on the edge of the penalty box and saw his drive blocked by Grant Munro. However, McMenamin pounced on the rebound to cross for Harkins and he volleyed home his second strike of the afternoon. Again, though, Dundee lost their lead as Richie Foran cut the ball back for Cox to drill in his second goal in three games.Dundee started the second half brightest and Paul McHale was unlucky to see his 25-yard effort go over the top. Harkins then tried to complete his hat-trick on 62 minutes but his bending free-kick went over the top. However, as the game wore on, it was Inverness who seemed the more likely side and would have done but for some brave goalkeeping from Bullock. Cox had a golden opportunity to carve out the winner on 70 minutes as he picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and with only Bullock to beat seemed a cert to score, but the keeper parried. Sanchez followed up with the rebound only to fire a tame effort wide. Moments later, Sanchez was again found wanting as he took a fresh-air swipe at a Foran pass with the goal at his mercy. And in the final moments, Harkins cracked the post with a free kick to leave the game tied at 2-2.
Dundee: Bullock, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Lauchlan, Hart (Cameron 78), Kerr, McMenamin, Higgins (Griffiths 67), Harkins. Subs Not Used: A Trialist, Casement, Antoine-Curier. Att: 5,507 Ref: M Tumilty
My MoM was Gary Harkins who was different class, again we lost bad goals and we must tighten up at the back.
Dundee went into the next round of the Alba Cup with a comfy 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath. In a poor first half they lead when Leigh Griffiths scored from a McHale cross in 20 mins. The 3-5-2 formation did not work and was changed at half-time, but just before that Antoine-Curier was unlucky not to scored but he could not finish from a tight angle after going round the keeper, put clear by a great Griffiths pass. Second half and it was back to 4-4-2, and it worked well with Griffiths in great form, and so unlucky in not adding to his tally. First the Cowden keeper made a great one handed save, and from the rebound his shot was cleared off the line. Then he hit the post with a powerfull strike, Sparky went off after 70 min with McMenamin coming on. Gary Harkins came on as well just before replacing Paul McHale, and it was Harkins who made it 2-0 with a sizzling 30 yard strike with gave the keeper no chance. Cowdenbeath still tried to play football and came forward to press Dundee. But in a flowing move a piece of majic from Gary Harkins..looking one way the passing the ball inside the other way which let Cowan cross and Antoine-Curier netted with a header to make the final score 3-0. A good enough workout, but not a great performance with Brian Kerr and Leigh Griffiths were Dundees best players on the night. Dundee: Bullock, Cowan, Benedictus, Lauchlan, Forsyth, Casement, McHale (Harkins 66), Cameron, Kerr, Antoine-Curier, Griffiths (McMenamin 70). Subs Not Used: Geddes, Rennie, Timmons. Att: 457 Ref: G Salmond
My MOM goes to Leigh Griffiths who is getting close to his match fitness and sharpness.
Dundee started brightly and took the lead after just 5 mins, Gary Harkins beat three men and was fouled in the box, he took the kick himself to score and send the hugh Dundee support wild with celebration. After this the game swung from one end to the other, with Raith giving as good as they got. They did draw level when a cross from Smith completed caught Dundee's defence out and Williamson scored at the back post, Dundee seemed now to have fallen out of the game, and Raith scored again just before half time. This time a corner was headed back across goal, somehow Tade missed the ball, but Dundee failed to clear and Ellis netted from six yards. Second half and Dundee came out and straight away looked a different team, they created some great chance and one bit of skill from Harkin's when he chipped the keeper, it came off the bar and somehow Colin McMenamin misses from a few yards out. But Dundee scored in 73 minutes when a long throw from keeper Bullock with sent Harkins clear down the wing , and he found McMenamin who scored with a great finish. the game now at 2-2 and Dundee pushed again and Gary McKenzie just failed to net from a few yards out. Rovers were still dangerous on the break, and it was a good end to end game of football.
Dundee: Bullock, Paton, Malone, McHale (Forsyth 84), MacKenzie, Lauchlan, Hart (Kerr 62), Cameron, McMenamin, Higgins (Griffiths 67), Harkins. Subs Not Used: Cowan, A Trialist. Att: 4,744 Ref: C Richmond
My MoM goes to Gary Harkins, his skill and passing are a joy to watch, and he will get better as the team gels. Next stop is Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night in the Alba Cup Kick-off 19:30.
A big crowd is inside Dens for the opening game against Morton, the game got underway and Dundee nearly got off to the perfect start when striker Colin McMenamin turning swiftly to fire in a snap-shot which keeper Bryn Halliwell did well to smother.It was never going to be easy and they faced the kind of obdurate opposition some would rather avoid at this stage.Peter Weatherson's flashing header as the first half simmered along proved that, with deputy Dark Blues keeper Tony Bullock relieved to see it flashing wide from Stevie Masterton's whipped corner.Then Jim Lauchlan was yellow-carded for rather crudely pulling back Weatherson before defensive partner Gary MacKenzie joined him in the referee's book for tripping Jim McAllister.McMenamin had another opportunity within minutes of the restart. Richie Hart's cross was near-perfect but despite his best efforts he couldn't connect at the far post.Sean Higgins, another close-season recruit, was denied by the outstretched hand of Halliwell in 55 minutes when you sensed a breakthrough wasn't far away.That arose in 56 minutes. Harkins' precise pass found Paul McHale whose centre picked out Higgins for him to cutely tuck the ball into the far corner of the net.The sense of relief simply spread. Scott's sides have never been known to go for the jugular although they did have openings in which they could have extended their lead, notably substitute Griffith's header from Harkins' angled cross going just a matter of inches wide before the end. Gary Harkins also hit the post after beating 4 men, he looks a great player and the steal of the season on this form.
Dundee:Bullock, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Lauchlan, Hart, Cameron (Kerr 75), McMenamin (Griffiths 68), Higgins, Harkins (Forsyth 87). Subs Not Used: A Trialist, Casement. Att: 5,449 Ref: C Boyle
Good win for Dundee, and sets up the visit to Raith Rovers on Saturday, Gary Harkins was my MOM.
Colin Cameron has signed a new 1 year deal, after proving his fitness to manager Jocky Scott, Cameron’s deal will not be the last of the business done at Dens, with the manager keen to add two new defenders. Scott is in talks with a left-back and a centre-half. Its looks like Rab Douglas will miss the game v Morton, but Eric Paton should be fit. Really looking forward to today's game and the season in general.
Dundeelost a bad goal after just six minutes as a simple pass from Emmanuel Kenmogne, in behind Jim Lauchlan, released midfielder Marcos Roberto Rocha to lift the ball over the diving Tony Bullock and into an empty net. Front man Leigh Griffiths missed an opportunity to level when shooting straight at keeper Vincent van Trier while Gary MacKenzie looked to have equalised when powering in a header from Brian Kerr’s corner only for Bas Vervaeke to clear off the line as the Dark Blues pushed for parity. They really ought to have achieved it midway through the first-half when Mickael Antoine-Curier did well to steer the ball low across goal, taking out van Trier in the process. But with the goal at his mercy, Craig Forsyth, arriving just beyond the far post crashed his finish off the upright. Forsyth quickly made amends though, picking out Griffiths with a superb low cross that the former Livingston striker fired into the roof of the net. Antwerp, somewhat against the run of play, got their noses back in front on 31 minutes when Matthias Trenson finished off a fine overlapping run by picking out Darko Pivaljevic who rose above Forsyth and headed home via the inside of the post. But Dundee squared again within three minutes after Antoine-Curier, off a Gary Harkins feed, finally forced the ball home after his initial close-range finish came back off the woodwork. 2-2 at half-time it was a very lively friendly, with plenty goal mouth action.However the second half did not match , until the last 15 mins or so. Another terrific Forsyth delivery should have resulted in the Dark Blues taking the lead for the first time in the game but Antoine-Curier somehow failed to apply the neccessary finish. And Griffiths was thwarted by a decent block from Van Trier. However, Antwerp always offered a threat and on 82 minutes Emmanuel Kenmogne poked a Geoffry Hairemans cross past Bullock. With a minute to go, though, substitute McMenamin slotted the ball past van Trier to save his side from defeat. A great move and right at the death only a terrific save from the Belgian keeper prevented Colin Cameron from snatching a victory. Dundee:Bullock, Casement (Cowan 74), Malone (McMenamin 80), Kerr, MacKenzie, Lauchlan (Benedictus 65), Forsyth, Young(Cameron 87), Curier, Griffiths (Clarke 74), Harkins (Hart 46). Subs:Geddes, Higgins. Att: 1,426 Referee:Matt Northcroft.
My MOM goes to Leigh Griffiths, he looks such a huge talent, and will score goals with his pace , movement and teamwork. The future looks good and really looking forward to this Saturday's game v Morton at Dens. Also a mention for The Antwerp fans, who backed their team well, hope they had a good time in Dundee. Heardsome made Fat Sam's...
Dundee won 5-0 with goals from Sean Higgins(23),Gary Harkins(29), a double from Colin McMenamin(47+57) and a penalty from Leigh Griffiths(67). By reports Gary Harkins was outstanding.. Dundee: Bullock, Paton (Casement 49), Malone, McHale, Benedictus, Lauchlan, Hart, Cameron (Kerr 68), Higgins, McMenamin (Griffiths 55), Harkins. Subs Not Used: Forsyth, Geddes. Attendance: 2,345 Referee: W Collum Match report below.. http://www.thedees.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=2805
Mickael Antoine-Curier scored twice as Dundee cruised to a 4-2 win at Forfar in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup. Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring, then Antoine-Curier struck twice from close-range to make it three just after half an hour. Stephen Tulloch pulled a goal back in a crowded box shortly after the break to give the Loons some hope. Andy Tod's 67th-minute own-goal ended any hope of a comeback before Ross Campbell struck for a late consolation.
