Dundee 2, Raith Rovers 1, Dens Park, Scottish Championship, 24th April 2021

Dundee  made three changes to the starting line-up following the draw at Inverness. Charlie Adam and Jason Cummings retained their places after coming on as substitutes on Tuesday in the places of Jonathan Afolabi and Danny Mullen, who were on the bench. Paul McGowan returned from injury to replace Declan McDaid, who had a hamstring problem.

Dundee started in a positive mood and pushed the visitors back, they took a early lead from the penalty spot after the ball was handled in the box. Jason Cummings scored with ease for his sixth goal for the Dark Blues.

This settled the team and they attacked down both wings, Rovers only real effort on goal came with a long range shot which was 10 feet wide of the goal. 

Dundee made 2-0 when Liam Fontaine headed home although it was cleared off the line the referee gave the goal after a quick glance to the linesman to see if his flag had been up.

Second half and Dundee started okay , but the longer the game went it was Raith who came into the game. Adam Legzdins had to made a fine save to deny Hendry . 

Thankfully that was it until the final few minutes when ex dee Kyle Benedictus scored from close range to give rovers hope. But in injury time they had a player sent off when Tait was given a straight red card after he had fouled Paul McGowan.

Dundee were able to run down the clock in what was a vital three points, Dundee were pretty poor in the second half but the main thing they won the game. 

Dundee: Legzdins, Elliott, Fontaine (Anderson 72), Ashcroft, Kerr, McMullan (Jakubiak 85), Byrne, McGhee, McGowan, Adam (c), Cummings (Mullen 77). Unused Subs: Ferrie ,Afolabi, Sow, Fisher.

Referee: William Collum

Inverness CT 1, Dundee 1, Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Scottish Championship, 20th April 2021

Dundee drew 1-1 at Inverness on Tuesday night, they had to come back after nine men Caledonian Thistle took the lead with six minutes to go. But Lee Ashcroft scored with a looping header two minutes later.

Dundee had a good goal ruled out when Jason Cummings headed home, it was ruled to be offside. Dundee had a few chance during the game but they could not put the ball into the net.

A vital point tonight but they need to beat Raith Rovers on Saturday as the battle for second place hots up.

Dundee: Legzdins, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Kerr, McMullan, Byrne (Anderson 75), McGhee (c), McDaid, Mullen (Cummings 65), Afolabi (Adam at half time). Unused Subs: Ferrie , Jakubiak, Sow, Fisher.

Referee: Mike Roncone

Dunfermline Athletic 0, Dundee 0, East End Park, Scottish Championship, 13th April 2021

Dundee earned a points at East End Park drawing 0-0 with Dunfermline Athletic. Dundee played some neat football but could not turn it into goals. With Raith Rovers winning is was two points dropped in the race for second place.

Team wise there were three changes to the starting line up with Jordan McGhee , Cammy Kerr, and Shaun Byrne replacing Christie Elliot, and Paul McGowan and Max Anderson missed out due to injury.

The only down point was a hamstring injury to Jordan Marshall after only 16 minutes. At least is was a point gained and kept the gap between Dundee and Dunfermline. Big game next Tuesday when Dundee play Inverness CT which is a must win game now.

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall (Elliott 19), McMullan, Byrne, McGhee (c), McDaid, Mullen (Afolabi 87), Cummings (Sow 74). Unused Subs: Ferrie , Jakubiak, Adam, Fisher.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Dundee 1, Morton 1, Dens Park Scottish Championship, 10-April-21

Dundee drew 1-1 with Morton at Dens Park this afternoon. Dundee fielded the same team which played at Ayr in midweek, with Osman Sow back on the bench. Going by reports it was a very poor first half with both teams struggling. Only real chance was a blocked shot from Jason Cummings.

Dundee were slightly better in the second half with Cummings and McDaid has chances, soon after that Cummings had to go off injured replaced by Jonathan Afolabi. On 77 minutes Morton took the lead against the run of play. Lewis Strapp’s 20 yard shot was firm, low and heading inside the post. Legzdins did well to save, but Aidan  Nesbitt followed up to score. 

A few minutes earlier Osman Sow had come on for Danny Mullen, and Charlie Adam now replaced Max Anderson. Dundee had to come forward now and went close when Adam and Ashcroft forced the Morton keeper into decent saves.

But with two minutes left Lee Ashcroft scored to earn Dundee a vital draw. It will prove a vital point but it could have been better as all the other games ended in draws in the Division.

Dundee: Legzdins, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall, McMullan, McGowan (c)), Anderson (Adam 79), McDaid, Mullen (Sow 73), Cummings (Afolabi 59). Unused Subs: Ferrie , Kerr, Byrne, Fisher.

Referee: Alan Newslands

News From Dens...............

Paul McGowan has had his contract extended for another year thanks to a clause in his current deal if he managed enough  appearances for the first team.

Manager James McPake has won the Glens Manager of the month for March. This is the second time James has won it , the last time was last October.

Ayr United 0, Dundee 3, Somerset Park, Scottish Championship, 6-April-21

Dundee beat Ayr United 3-0 at Somerset Park in what is Dundee's best away performance of the season so far. The goals were scored by Max Anderson, Jonathan Afolabi and Paul McGowan in the last 23 minutes of the game.

A clean sheet will also please Manager James McPake as the season draws to a close with Dundee having five league games to go. Maybe Dundee are hitting form at the right time.

All the goals were good and Paul McGowan scored a cracker with a neat chip after a great passing move from the team. 

Next up is Morton at Dens Park tomorrow, another three points would be great in our quest for promotion to the Premier League.

Dundee: Legzdins, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall, McMullan (Cameron 89), McGowan (c) (Adam 89), Anderson (Byrne 80), McDaid, Mullen , Cummings (Afolabi 68). Unused Subs: Ferrie , Kerr, Fisher.

Referee: Steven McLean

Dundee 0, St Johnstone 1, Dens Park, Scottish Cup 3rd Round, 3-April-21

Dundee made four changes to the team which beat Dunfermline Athletic last week,  Cammy Kerr, Shaun Byrne, Charlie Adam and Danny Mullen returned to the starting eleven. Christie Elliott, Paul McGowan and Jason Cummings were on the bench, and Osman Sow was injured.

Both teams struggled in the first 15 minutes or so. But on 20 minutes Saints took the lead when Melamed scored with a shot across the keeper after May had crossed into the box. Dundee hit back and McMullen was really unlucky when his shot cracked of the the bar with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Dundee started the second half brightly and came agonisingly close to a quick equaliser. Charlie Adam’s cross was taken high by Zander Clark, who fumbled the ball when he hit the ground. Danny Mullen gratefully scrambled the ball into the net but his celebration was abruptly cut short when he noticed the assistant flagging for the referee’s attention. After a lengthy discussion Mr Napier disallowed the goal. The only plausible explanation is that Mullen must have been marginally offside when Adam crossed.

Dundee had to make a change when Ashcroft got injured , he was replaced by McGowan. Also Cummings replaced Anderson. Dundee were pushing for a goal and got a Penalty after the Saints keeper fouled Mullen in the box. Charlie Adam took it but the saints keeper made a fine save to deny the Dundee midfielder. 

Dundee tried to get level and McDaid was unlucky when his shot was blocked.

So that ends Dundee's interest in this years Scottish Cup, hopefully next season we will be in a better position to have a good run in the Cups we are certainly due one as Fans.

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr, Fontaine, Ashcroft (McGowan 67), Marshall, Byrne, Anderson (Cummings 69), Adam (c) (Afolabi 81), McMullan, Mullen, McDaid. Unused Subs: Ferrie , Elliott, Cameron, Luke Strachan, Fisher, Murray.

Referee: Craig Napier