Monday, November 25, 2013

Dundee Pass The Six Point Tester

Hamilton Academicals 0, Dundee 3, SPFL Championship, New Douglas Park, 23-November-13

Dundee opened up the title race with a superb 3-0 win at leaders Hamilton Academicals, it might prove to be a massive turning point in this current season. A first half goal on 16 minutes from Iain Davidson settled Dundee when he turned and shot home high into a net, it looked poor defending in the lead up play from the Accies. That was the half time score with both teams having chances. Then on 57 minutes Declan Gallagher doubled Dundee's lead with a fine header. By reports that shattered Hamilton's confidence and Dundee finished the game with ease and to rubs salts Peter McDonald headed home after sub Martin Boyle's  chip had come back off the bar in the last minute. A massive three points for the Dark Blues which would have send the Dundee fans home happy.

Dundee: Letheren, Irvine, Lockwood, Davidson, Riley (McBride (90), MacDonald (Beattie(90), Rae, Conroy, Gallagher, McAlister, Wighton (Boyle 81). Subs Not Used: Gibson, Monti, Doris, and Thomson.

Ref: B Madden

Att: 2,077

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Late Goal Deny The Dark Blues

Dundee 1 Falkirk 1, Dens Park, SPFL Championship, 16-August-13

Dundee came close to claiming three points on Saturday, but were denied when a late Falkirk goal two minutes into injury time. The final score was 1-1 and it now makes the trip to Hamilton next week more important.

Dundee were slightly the better side with Nicky Riley causing the home defence some problems, but soon after Dundee took the lead when the referee pointed to the spot after a needless handball from the bairns defender. Ryan Conroy scored with ease sending the keeper the wrong way. A couple of minutes later Falkirk thought they had scored but thankfully the linesman had his flag for offside. Then Iain Davidson had to be alert after Garry Irvine had nearly headed home a own goal when their was no danger. Falkirk had a great chance just before half-time when they broke clear but Letheren pulled off two great save to deny the Falkirk striker who looked certain to score.

Second half and things as a game did not get any better has Dundee struggled to pass the ball around, they did have a break away but sloppy passing and the chance was gone. Manager John Brown took off Wighton and put on McBride to try and shut up shop and protect our 1-0 lead. Kyle Letheren again saved the dark Blues with a great save tipping the ball round the post. Dundee continued to struggle and Falkirk looked certain to score again but the striker shot high and over the ball when it looked easier to hit the net. Carlo Monti came on for Riley but deep into injury time and the Bairns drew level with a lucky goal the ball coming off the face of Leahy and spun past Letheren to earn the visitors a draw.
 
No one can deny that Falkirk deserved at least a draw with Dundee struggling all afternoon, they will have to do better next week at Hamilton where they can't afford to lose. It was good to see Stephen O'Donnell on the bench after his fight back to fitness.

Dundee: Letheren, Irvine, Lockwood, Davidson, Riley (Monti (90), Macdonald, Rae, Conroy, Gallagher, McAlister, Wighton (McBride (69).  Subs Not Used: Twardzik, O'Donnell, Doris, Boyle, and Thomson.

Ref: S. Reilly

Att: 4,661

My MoM: Kyle Letheren

Monday, November 11, 2013

Fine Win For The Dark Blues

Dundee 2 Raith Rovers 0, Dens Park, SPFL Championship, 9th November 2013

Dundee beat Raith Rovers on Saturday by two goals to nil at Dens park on Saturday. It was a good performance but they really need to more ruthless in front of goal. It was very pleasing to witness Craig Wighton's first senior goal and he has become the youngest player to score for the Dundee FC first team.

Iain Davidson returned to the team after missing the Livi game two weeks ago. Raith started the better team but I did not like how they went down looking for free kicks all the time, the referee should have acted more quickly than he did. I'm sure Rovers fans will have another view from mine. The game did change on the sending off of Booth just after Ryan Conroy had put Dundee ahead with a superb free kick after the Rovers defender was booked for hand ball, he was send off for a foul on Riley.

Dundee had chance before half time but failed to take them. But four minutes into the second half and young star Craig Wighton scored with a cleverly placed header after good play from Conroy on the wing, this made the game more comfy for the home team. But really it should have been more than 2-0 but some poor finishing let the Dark Blues down. It ended 2-0 at the end but we must be happy to end Rovers run of ten games unbeaten run.
 
The team played well in staged but hopefully the injury to Matt Lockwood is not too bad, l thought that Peter MacDonald had a poor game today but he has been superb all season so won't be too critical of the striker.

Next up is Falkirk at Home then Hamilton away so two very important games for Dark Blues.

Dundee: Letheren, Irvine, Lockwood, Gallagher, Davidson, Riley, Conroy, Rae, McAlister, Wighton, MacDonald.  Subs: Twardzik (GK), McBride, Monti, Doris, Thomson, Boyle, Beattie.

Att: 5,064

Ref: A.Dallas

MoM: Craig Wighton.

News from Dens....

Dundee have had three trialists at the club last week but Manager John Brown said they were not any better than was already at the club, two were from England and the another was from Belgium.

Livingston 2, Dundee 1, Energy Assets Arena, SPFL Championship, 26th October 2013
Dundee were beaten 2-1 at Livingston in what was described as a poor performance, they seemed to miss Iain Davidson at the back who was out injured. Peter McDonald put Dundee ahead with a fine volley after the striker had missed a penalty earlier. Livingston came back and levelled and the home side got a late winner to take all three points. The goal looked pretty a soft one to lose. Dundee will not have a game now for two weeks it has maybe come at the right time for the Dark Blues.