Wednesday, August 04, 2021

Dundee 2, St Mirren 2, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 31st July 2021

Dundee kicked of the new league season with a home game against St Mirren at Dens Park. The Dark Blues made three changes from last week’s defeat of Forfar. Jordan Marshall, Jordan McGhee and Paul McGowan returned to the starting line-up with Corey Panter and Jason Cummings moving onto the bench and Liam Fontaine missing out. 

Dundee's first effort on goal was a shot from Paul McGowan which went over the bar in the first minute. St Mirren took the lead on four minutes a long ball from their keeper was headed into the path of Brophy whose shot beat the diving Adam Legzdins in the Dundee goal.  

Soon after Danny Mullen had to go off injured after landing badly after a challenge for the ball. Jason Cummings came on to replace the striker. Cummings was unlucky with a shot which the St Mirren keeper had to push his shot round the post as Dundee attacked at every opportunity.

Dundee had to make another change after Christie Elliott limped off and was replaced by Ryan Sweeney who went into central defence with Jordan McGhee moving to right back.

After forcing a few corners Dundee levelled the game right on half-time. A McMullan corner to the back post was inadvertently headed into his own goal by Shaughness, under pressure from Charlie Adam.

The second half began just as badly for the Dee as the first, but the circumstances were very different. Jason Cummings was back defending at a St Mirren corner, and was judged by referee Craig Napier to have brought Jay Henderson down illegally.

It looked a dubious decision and the Dee striker was furious with the award. After a lengthy delay  McGrath scored from the spot.

Dundee responded strongly and took only five minutes to equalise with a superb move. Max Anderson played a great ball down the left which was perfectly weighted for Jordan Marshall. The full back whipped in a first time low cross on the run and Jason Cummings swept home the goal from 12 yards.

Cillian Sheridan had replaced Fin Robertson after the St Mirren penalty and he set up Cummings to run in from the right, only to finish with a weak shot.

The Dark Blues were starting to build some momentum when the game swung decisively in St Mirren’s favour with a red card for Max Anderson. Brophy broke from a Dundee corner, and Anderson scythed him down from behind midway inside the Buddies’ half. 

Dundee had to hang on for the last 25 minutes or so and they did this to earn a fine 2-2 draw, things went against them today but the team looked up for the fight. Best squad we have had for a few years, they all want to play for the club.

Next up is a visit to Parkhead to face struggling Celtic.

Dundee: Legzdins, Elliott (Sweeney 38), Ashcroft, McGhee, Marshall, Robertson (Sheridan 58), Anderson, Adam (c), McMullan, Mullen (Cummings 17), McGowan. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), McDaid, McCowan, Panter.

Att: 2,300

Referee: Craig Napier