Dundee moved to within two points of second-place Falkirk by beating the Bairns at Dens Park. Dundee got off to the perfect start when Gavin Rae headed home a Nicky Riley cross after eight minutes and, three minutes later, Jake Hyde converted a rebound after Steven Milne's header had hit the crossbar. What a start for the Dark Blues. It was end to end stuff with some fine fine attacking football from both sides. An own goal by Rhys Weston reduced Falkirk's deficit in the 35th minute, the defender turning Kallum Higginbotham's cross into his own net. That was the half time score with a exciting second half to look forward to.
The second half started brightly for Dundee and Milne was unlucky to see his shot hit the crossbar, but Dundee got their third goal soon after good link up play set up Nicky Riley to cross and Jake Hyde volleyed home his second on 67 minutes, only for Falkirk's Jay Fulton's drive to bring the visitors back to within a goal again. After this it was pretty tense but the Bairns keeper saved well from Irvine and Rae to keep the Dee out. But with five minutes left again great play from Riley who lobbed the ball high into to the path of Savo Milne who finished well with a fine shot to put the game beyond Falkirk and seal the points.
A great game of football with plenty of goals, that is what the fans want to see. Long may it continue.
Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, McGregor, Weston, Riley, Rae, O'Donnell, Conroy, Milne, Hyde (Elliot 69). Subs Not Used: Gibson, Chisholm, McKeown, McCluskey.
Ref: S. Conroy
Att: 4,507
Dundee will play Kilmarnock at Dens Park in the 4th round of the William Hill Scottish Cup. The tie will be played on the 8th or 9th of January 2012. The rest of the draw is below:
Scottish Cup fourth-round draw
Airdrie United v Dundee United
Arbroath v Rangers
Cowdenbeath v Hibernian
Culter or Partick Thistle v Queen of the South
Dundee v Kilmarnock
Falkirk v East Fife
Hearts v Auchinleck Talbot
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic
Livingston v Ayr United or Montrose
Motherwell v Elgin City or Queen's Park
Peterhead v Celtic
Raith Rovers v Morton
Ross County v Stenhousemuir
St Mirren v Hamilton Academical
St Johnstone v Brechin City
Stranraer or Forfar Athletic v Aberdeen
Dundee striker Jake Hyde has been sent to get a CAT scan after he is still suffering headaches after a clash of heads at Cappielow ten days ago.
Dundee came back from a goal down to beat Stirling Albion 2-1 to go through to the 4th Round draw. Darren Smith scored after 26 minutes to put the hosts 1 nil up heading past Rab Douglas. The lead lasted until the 31st minute when Ryan Conroy scored with a 25 yard free kick, that 3 goals in his last 3 games.
It ended 1-1 at halftime but with Dundee just having the edge scored on the hour when Steven Milne scored with a well placed shot after a miss pass from a Albion defender. It was good to see Calum Elliot get on for a spell in the second half.
I missed the game due to work, but happy with the result and look forward to the next round on which I'm off for.
Dundee: Douglas Irvine, Lockwood, O'Donnell, McGregor, Weston, Riley, McIntosh( Elliot), Milne ( Chisholm 89), Conroy (McCluskey 83) Subs (not used): Benedictus, Gibson(GK).
Ref: G Salmond
Att: 1,473.
Dundee chairman Stuart Murphy has decided to step down as chairman. He has done a lot of good work to keep the club going in difficult times. A statement was issued which read: ''The past 18 months or so have probably been the most intense of any stage throughout the 118-year history of Dundee Football Club.
''As the club fought courageously back from the brink of extinction, I have been resolute throughout in my determination to support that recovery process and help consolidate the financial health of the club.
''I am extremely proud of the part I played in that recovery, and equally proud to have served the supporters society both as a director, Dundee as a director, and latterly as chairman of the football club itself.
''Without stating the obvious, this was a very demanding and all consuming period for me which thankfully ended on a positive note as the club survived its second period of administration against all odds.
''I believe that the time is now right for me to invest these same levels of energy and commitment to all of the other aspects of my life, and in particular to my immediate family who have been incredibly supportive of my football commitments, but who now, for various reasons, deserve and are entitled to, equal levels of attention.
''As a consequence I informed the board of directors earlier this week of my intention to stand down from the football club board. I can do so with the comfort that there is now a sound platform on which the club can move forward confidently.
''The massive responsibility that exists in ensuring that the club continues its recuperation will rest upon the shoulders of Dundee fans from all walks of life, ordinary supporters and business people alike.
''For me, pulling together for the future will be crucial. For many, it will regularly necessitate making compromises and identifying innovative ways of working together in order to achieve success in an industry currently faced with ever demanding challenges.
''What I am confident of though, is that by adopting the right approach Dundee can not only survive, but prosper and actually become a trail blazer for the rest of Scottish football to follow as it faces these challenges head on.
''Togetherness will be key to achieving this, with no individual or group being more important than the sum of all the parts.''
He added: ''There are many positives to draw from as the club moves forward. Dundee has an ambitious and talented young manager, a squad that in my opinion is still more than capable of gaining promotion to the SPL, and a fervent and loyal fan-base the envy of most Scottish clubs.
''These amazing fans should be very proud of their achievements, especially in recent times when the very existence of the club was threatened.
''Even through those dark days I can honestly say it was, and will continue to be in the future for me, a source of pride and pleasure to be part of the Dundee FC family.
''On a final note I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me as I discharged my duties on behalf of the club.
''I wish the supporters society, Dundee FC, and Dundee fans everywhere every success for the future.''
Dundee came back from a early goal down to record a fine three points at Cappielow. From reports Morton scored after 5 minutes due to slack defending Jackson heading home. Dundee scored before half time after good play from Conroy found Gavin Rae with a perfect pass and Gav scored his first goal since coming back.
Second half and it was all Morton until Dundee send on Jake Hyde for McIntosh soon after Hyde crossed to the back post was volleyed home by Ryan Conroy to put Dundee ahead.
Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, McGregor, Weston, Riley, Rae, O'Donnell, Conroy, McIntosh, Milne. Subs: Gibson, McKeown, Hyde, Chisholm, McCluskey.
Dundee have ruled out strikers Graham Bayne and Calum Elliot for the trip to Cappielow, also have doubts on Rhys Weston but have Craig McKeown as cover.
Good news striker Calum Elliot will return to Dens on Thursday and looks to be fit for the tricky trip to Cappielow. He had his knee checked on Monday and the results were better than expected.
Chief Executive Harry MacLean has resigned and will leave Dens Park in a month's time. Thanks Harry for the all the hard work you have done for Dundee FC in the troubled times of last season.
Dundee got a much needed win at Dens Park on Saturday winning 1-0 against Raith Rovers. Calum Elliot started but sadly he had to go off injured after only 32 seconds after a robust tackle from a Rovers defender Dyer. Jake Hyde came on to replace Calum.
In a very even first half both team attacked and Dundee forced a few corners but their final ball into the box was just not good enough. The pleasing bit was that they played a passing game and sooner or later it would pay off.
Second half and Dundee upped the pressure on the Rovers defence, first a good pass from Irvine send Hyde clear he went round the keeper but put his shot high and wide. Then Nicky Riley who was having a good game and he should have done better when he intercepted a poor clearance from the rovers defence he pulled his shot wide when McIntosh was in a good position. Rovers did have one great chance but Rab Douglas blocked his shot and Lockwood cleared.
Jamie McCluskey came on for Jake Hyde and good play from him set up the winning goal he fed Riley who's cross fell to Ryan Conroy who's header was blocked but he was quick enough to score from the rebound with the keeper looking a bit suspect. To the delight of Dens Park a win now looked possible. Dundee created more chances and Riley and O'Donnell were unlucky with shots which just missed the target.
Dundee held out to record a very vital win and three points. They have played better but who cares it send the Dundee fans home happy and moved the club up to seventh place in the tight league.
Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, Weston (McKeown 22), McGregor, Riley, Rae, O'Donnell, Conroy, Elliot (Hyde 4), Mcintosh, Hyde (McCluskey 72). Subs Not Used: Gibson, Chisholm.
Att: 4,258
Ref: Calum Murray
Photo's (C) Dundee FC
Dundee have signed striker Calum Elliot on a month's loan from Premier League team Hearts. He will go into the squad for tomorrow's game at Dens v Raith Rovers.
Rab Douglas has been cleared to play after his red card was upheld.
Dundee will appeal Rab Douglas's red card given on Saturday. There might be a chance he will play against Raith Rovers this Saturday.
Dundee will play Stirling Albion away in the second round of the Scottish Cup.
Dundee's poor home form continued at Dens Park on Saturday when they lost to a highly disputed penalty half way through the first half. It certainly looked a big mistake from the referee and spoiled the game when Rab Douglas was wrongly sent off.
The game got of to a fine end to end affair with the Jags looking dangerous on the break, a fine day for football then came the penalty incident a fine move put striker Erskin through he was trying to round keeper Douglas and went down as suggesting Rab had fouled him. It worked and the visitors were awarded a penalty and Rab was sent off. It looked very soft indeed with very little or none contact on the player. First Dundee sent on keeper John Gibson and take off Leighton McIntosh. Cairney scored with ease with a well taken spot kick. Soon after Gibson made a good save turning a Elliot shot round the post. Dundee push forward and came close to scoring a Irvine shot was blocked then O'Donnell 's effort was also blocked as Dundee forced a few corners. Then after good play set up Gavin Rae but the Thistle keeper pulled off a great save from a tight angle.
Second half now and Dundee kept playing football passing the ball well and creating chances, on which they kept missing the target. The best was when Riley 's shot was parried and Matt Lockwood fired wildly over the bar. Partick had a couple of chances one which produced a fine diving save from stand in keeper John Gibson.
But that was it time ran out, l think the team are playing well enough and just need a wee break, hopefully it will start on Saturday when Raith Rovers comes to Dens Park. Also the ref missed a blatant elbow on Neil McGregor something has to be done as the standant has dropped a lot. I used to moan at Willie Young ect it does make you think that he was not that bad.
Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood (McKeown 77), McGregor, Weston, Riley, O'Donnell, Rae, Conroy (McCluskey 89), Mcintosh (Gibson 26), Milne. Subs Not Used: Chisholm, Benedictis.
Att: 4,263
Ref: Steven McLean
