Dundee 2 Cowdenbeath 2, Dens Park, First Division, 26-March-11

more to follow

Jake Hyde

Dundee 1 Dunfermline Ath 1, Dens Park, Division One, 22-March-11

Dundee started the game without Stephen O'Donnell who failed a fitness test, but Craig McKeown plays. Up front we start with Leighton McIntosh and trialist Jake Hyde, on the bench is fellow trialist Craig Robertson. Dundee started well and took the game to the pars, but after fine open play they could only gets shots in from the edge of the box, the best chance fell to Forsyth but his shot failed to trouble Smith in the Dunfermline goal. But as happens often the visitors took the lead when Burke scored  from way out with a well struck shot, he could have been closed down quicker but a good goal. Soon after and more neat play saw Irvine have a chance but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Second half and Dundee attacked and Jake Hyde just about scored when good play from Harkins and McIntosh put  him clear and his lob on goal was well finger tipped over the bar by Smith. Soon after and Rhys Weston took a heavy looking knock after being fouled by Buchanan he tried to carry on but had to go off. Robertson came on with Benedictus moving back and Gary Irvine back to right back. Dunfermline were looking to kill off the game and looked dangerous a few time but good defending kept them out. But with 19 mins to go Dundee won a free kick and when Harkins
curled it into the box Jake Hyde scored with a neat header to level the game. Again Dens went wild with deelight. The Pars pushed forward but they lacked the finishing touch, we  did have a chance late on but a Harkins  free kick went harmlessly over the bar.

So another point in the battle to stay up, well played again to the players. The fans were again top class, it's great going to DFC games this season. Big game on Saturday v Cowdenbeath just hope Rhys Weston's injury is not too bad, l think he might miss the game.

Dundee: Douglas, Benedictus, McKeown, Weston, (Robertson 65), Lockwood, Riley, Irvine, Harkins, Forsyth, Hyde, McInatosh. Subs unused: Gibson, Rennie, Bartlett, Tulleth.

Att: 4,507

Ref: M Tumelty

Photos From Falkirk

 

Our Bus had a wee smash going to the game

 

Falkirk 2 Dundee 2, New Falkirk Stadium, Division One, 20-March-11

Dundee came back from being 2-0 down to grab a vital point, on which their second half performance they deserved it. In a nice sunny day the wind did make it difficult. In the first half Falkirk took control of the game and Rab Douglas had to look sharp a few times, before the bairns took the lead on 27 minutes, a long ball to the back post was headed back and Tam McManus scored with a good volley which gave Douglas no chance. For the remaining period of the half we battled away without creating much.

Second half and Dundee started to take the game to Falkirk and played some neat football, but in one such move broke down and Falkirk broke away they neatly fed in Stewart who beat Douglas to make it 2-0. Dundee came back and got a break when a great run from Riley his pass found Gary Irvine to score his first goal for the club. Now Falkirk looked nervous and Dundee pushed them back. Harkins was getting into great positions but his final ball or shot was not happening. Then it was party time for the Dundee fans when great play from Riley again he passed to Craig Forsyth who came in and finished well to tie the game at 2-2. Then the tiring Leighton McInatosh was replaced by Connor Rennie. There was only going to be one winner now but Falkirk managed to hold on. A big blow for their promotion hopes. Dundee what can you say This Team never gives up, and keep on surprising even me, they deserve everything they get. Also forgot to mention Rhys Weston's life saving tackle second half if there is a better defender in this division well I've not seen him yet. I also though Nicky Riley had his best game for the dee, and Leighton McInatosh done really well.

Dundee: Douglas, Benedicus, McKeown, Weston, Lockwood, Riley, Irvine, O'Donnell, Forsyth, Harkins, McInatosh (Rennie 85) Unused Subs: Gibson(GK), Bartlett, Tulleth, Webster.

Ref: W Collum

Att: 4,099

Latest News From Dens Park

Sean Higgins will be out for a the rest of the season after having a knee operation, the slight injury has proved to be worse than first thought. It's a blow as he has done really well since Leigh Griffiths left the club. With Jonny Stewart has gone back to his club Hearts. So we are struggling to field a team with no proven strikers. Young Leighton McInatosh is also out injured. I think Connor Rennie will come in on Saturday, unless manager Barry Smith pulls off another trialist.

Dundee 2 Queen of the South 1, Dens Park, Division One, 12-March-11

Dundee became record breakers on Saturday as they beat the clubs longest run of league games unbeaten. A day of wind and rain greeted the teams as they came out. With Craig McKeown returning and Neil McCann playing his last game as a trialist. Dundee did start the game fairly well but Queen's were blocking everything that fell to the Dundee forward line. The best chance fell to Harkins but his shot was off target. As some times happens Queen's broke away and scored a simple goal when after good play McMenamin had a simple tap in. Dundee pushed forward but had to settle for 1-0 down at half time.

Dundee started the second half in positive fashion, and soon had chances best falling to Riley who's fierce shot tested Hutton, then McCann had a couple of efforts but just lacked the pace to trouble the keeper. The Doonhamers did have a chance when they broke away but Wetherston took a touch too much and went down after Douglas's challenge he was booked for diving. But the equaliser did follow soon after when great link up play set up Sean Higgins who finished it with a curling well placed shot. Now is was all Dundee as they went for the winner, they pumped loads of cross in Higgins missed a great chance from 8 yards but did not connect with the ball. Then Lockwood fired one just over. but the got the winner with just 4 minutes left more great one touch football led to O'Donnell who's shot hit the bar, Craig Forsyth followed up to head the rebound home to sent Dens Park wild. They kept their cool Holmes headed wide near the end, but it's was Dundee's day and another vital 3 points.

It's been a pleasure to watch this team over the last 20 games 14 wins and 6 draws well done to everyone from Dens Park from Top to Bottom and my fellow Dees.

Dundee:Douglas, Irvine, McKeown, Weston, Lockwood, Riley, Harkins, O’Donnell, Forsyth, McCann, Higgins. Unused subs: Gibson (gk), Benedictus, Stewart, Rennie, Bartlett

Ref: C.Thomson

Att: 4,242

Latest News From Dens

Neil McCann is likely to play his third and last game for Dundee, Graham Bayne has joined Dunfermline so won't be involved. Craig McKeown will return after missing Cowdenbeath on Tuesday due to suspension.

The deadline for the CVA to be cleared has passed with nobody appealing, so now the club can move forward and the process in paying off the creditors begins.

Cowdenbeath 1 Dundee 3, Central Park, Division One, 12-March-11

On a wet windy night in Fife Dundee made it 19 games undefeated to equal the club's record. They were made to fight for it and the third goal killed the game. First goal came form Sean Higgins who had a simple tap in, after good play from Forsyth. Second half and Dundee got a penalty on 46 minutes when Riley was bundled off the ball, it did look soft. But up stepped Matt Lockwood to sidefoot home with ease. Cowdenbeath did pull one back to make things tight, Dundee had chances as well three one on ones with the keeper but they missed the lot. But with 6minutes to go a great cross from Johnny Stewart was headed home by Craig Forsyth to seal the 3 points. Trialist Graham Bayne played the full 90 mins and done well.

So another three vital points for the club. Hope they can break the record on Saturday when Queen of the South visit Dens Park.

Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Benedictus, Weston, Lockwood, Riley, O’Donnell, Harkins, Forsyth, Higgins (Stewart 73), Bayne. Unused subs: Gibson (gk), Rennie, Bartlett, Tulleth

Ref: B.Colvin

Att: 977

Partick Th 0 Dundee 0. Firhill, Division One, 05-March-11

As the scoreline suggests not much action or football played on a terrible playing surface. Dundee had trialist Graham Bayne done well when he came on for Johnny Stewart. At least it was a nice sunny day in Maryhill, both teams had few chances and best fell to Higgins but he shot wide. In the second half we did scored but the ref gave a free kick after keeper Fox was fouled.

But overall poor stuff, but not easy on the pitch, as usual the players gave 100% effort and keeps the unbeaten run going Cowdenbeath on Tuesday. So that will equal a record set 49 years ago of most undefeated league game if they win or draw at central park.

Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, McKeown, Weston, Lockwood, Riley, Stewart (Bayne 57), O’Donnell, Forsyth, Harkins, Higgins. Unused subs: Gibson (gk), Benedictus, Rennie, Bartlett

Ref: B.Madden

Att: 2,671

News From Dens Park

The Dundee players will get much needed rest this week, with no midweek game. Next up is Partick Thistle at Firhill I will make the game travelling through with The Fife Dark Blues, so looking forward to that.

It looks like the Dundee Derby Fund Raiser will be now played preseason, refunds are available from Dens if you want to. I just hope I'm off work for it.