Ayr United 3, Dundee 1, Somerset Park, cinch Championship, 26th August 2022

Dundee did not make any changes to their starting team for the game at Ayr United last Friday, the only change on the bench was Fin Robertson instead of Shaun Byrne.

Dundee started well and scored on three minutes with a fine worked goal. started by Paul McGowan and he found Luke McCowan his great cross was knocked back into the six yard box by Paul McMullen for Zak Rudden to score with ease. 

Dundee looked sharp and came close a couple of times before Ayr drew level against the run of play. From a corner Frankie Musonda headed down for Akinyemi to poke the ball home from almost on the goal line.

Dundee lost Luke McCowan just after the half hour when the former Ayr winger limped off after taking a painful knock. Jordan McGhee came on to play in midfield with Josh Mulligan moving to the right wing and Paul McMullan switching to the left.

At the start of the second half Zach Robinson replaced Paul McGowan as Dundee tried to create more in attack. They came close but Rudden could not force the ball over line and the chance was gone. Dundee were getting on top but they failed to take any of their chances. 

But again Ayr scored on the break as Dundee piled on the pressure.  Jordan  Houston was allowed to run in from the right and score with a low shot into the corner from 18 yards. A poor goal to lose and it changed the game Dundee failed to fight back.

Six minutes and the game was over when Akinyemi  pulled down Murdoch’s cross from the right, turned and hammered a rising shot past Sharp from 12 yards. 

Lyall Cameron and Ben Williamson replaced Paul McMullan and Joe Grayson but had little opportunity to make an impact. Lee Ashcroft came on for Zak Rudden to play the last 10 minutes in attack. 

Ryan Sweeney was sent off in injury for a second yellow card.

Next up is Falkirk in the League Cup at Dens on Tuesday night hopefully Dundee can bounce back.

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Sweeney (c), French, Marshall, Mulligan, Grayson (Williamson 69), McGowan (Robinson at half time), McMullan (Cameron 69), Rudden (Ashcroft 80), McCowan (McGhee 32). 

Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), McGinn, Robertson, Anderson.

Att: 2,274

Referee: Greg Aitken 

Photos From Morton

 

Morton 0, Dundee 0, Cappielow Park, cinch Championship, 20th August 2022

Dundee were unchanged from last weeks game, both teams started on the attack with Morton looking dangerous on the break. Harry Sharp had to save well early on to deny the home side.

Dundee went close when Paul McMullan hit the underside of the bar from 18 yards out, both teams tried to score but failed to create clear open chances. 

As half time was comimg close Morton should have scored but Kabia raced clear but failed to lob the keeper it was a bit lit off for Dundee. 

Second half and again both sides attacked with Morton looking more likely to score, Dundee had to clear a couple of corners. Luke McCowan did have a chance but fired his shot over the bar.

With 20 minutes to go Niall McGinn and Zach Robinson came on for Rudden and McCowan. McGinn was soon involved in the action and shot over from a promising position after some good approach play.

Near the end Morton hit the post to the relief of the Dundee fans behind the goal. Jordan McGhee replaced Paul McGowan for the last quarter of an hour, but the Dee still could not find their way through on goal.

Dundee still pushed for a goal but failed to do so as the final whistle went.

In the end a draw was about fair, always tough getting points at Cappielow and this was the case today. Dundee not at their best today but you get games like this in the cinch Championship.

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Sweeney (c), French, Marshall, Mulligan, Grayson (Ashcroft 89), McGowan (McGhee 77), McMullan (Cameron 89), Rudden (Robinson 69), McCowan (McGinn 69). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Byrne, Williamson, Anderson.

Att: 2,091

Referee: Don Robertson

Arbroath Photos

 

Dundee 4. Arbroath 2, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 12-August-22

Dundee made three changes to the Dark Blues’ starting eleven from the team that beat Raith. Paul McGowan and Luke McCowan kept their places after coming on as substitutes and loan signing Joe Grayson made his debut. Shaun Byrne and Max Anderson shifted to the bench where they were joined by Cillian Sheridan after almost 10 months out through injury.

Arbroath started well and let Dundee know this was going to be a tough game which was live on TV. They forced a few corners which they nearly scored when Hamilton hit the post. 

Dundee had chances as well at McCowan and Kerr had efforts blocked by the Arbroath defence, it was a fine opening spell in the game.

Dundee stepped up a gear after 20 minutes and had more chances but the effort from Mulligan went over the bar, minute later Josh miskicked the ball when he was surprized the ball fell to him inside the box.

The Arbroath keeper Gaston made a great save to deny Cammy Kerr as Dundee looked to score close to half time. 

Dundee finally broke through in thrilling fashion. Tyler French made a crucial interception in his own penalty to stop a dangerous attack. He took Arbroath by surprise by sprinting out of defence, exchanging passes with McMullan and tearing down the right wing. Zak Rudden’s backheel gave him the chance to shoot but Gaston saved. The ball broke to Paul McGowan who set up Luke McCowan to crash his shot high into the net.

Both teams had efforts in the early stages of the second half, but it was Arbroath that finally levelled when a long ball found McKenna who was fouled by Sharp in the Dundee goal it looked a bit soft but the referee gave the penalty. Nicky Low scored with a well taken penalty.

Dundee came back into the game and scored after Ryan Sweeney kept the ball in play after a corner was half cleared. McGowan crossed and Gaston couldn’t get a clean punch in the crowded goalmouth. Zak Rudden took advantage of the stramash, poking the ball into the corner of the net from close range.

Dundee had a few more chances but it was Arbroath scored again after a few corners they scored from close range when Colin Hamilton forced the ball home on the line.

It set up a imteresting last ten minutes Arbroath nearly scored again when Hilson put his effort just over the bar fom just outside the six yard box. It was the turning point in the game Dundee broke away and scored a well taken third goal,

Zach Robinson  had replaced Zak Rudden shortly before the second equaliser, and he rose high to meet Luke McCowan’s inviting cross and send his header from 8 yards into the top corner.

It forced Arbroath to come forward and good pressure play from Dundee led to a mistake and Josh Mulligan ran forward with pace he cut inside to smash a curling shot high into the net from 18 yards.

A superb goal for Dundee and it sealed a great win for the club, great effort from the players which helped the atmosphere which was special and great to be part of it on a night where the club and fans payed tribute to the legendary Pat Liney. 

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Sweeney (c), French, Marshall, Mulligan, Grayson, McGowan (Cameron 90+2)

McMullan, Rudden (Robinson 79), McCowan (Ashcroft 89). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Byrne, McGinn, Robertson, Sheridan, Anderson.

Referee: Graham Grainger.

Att: 5,114 

Dundee Sign Joe Grayson

Dundee have signed Joe Grayson on loan for the rest of the season from Barrow FC who play in Division Two in England. Joe can play in either midfield or defence which is good for the squad at Dundee.

He started off at Blackburn Rovers and knows manager Gary Bowyer where he made his debut at 19 after coming through the youth ranks at Ewood Park.

After loan spells with both Grimsby Town and Oxford United he left permanently to join Barrow in League Two last summer.

Joe will wear number 38 at Dens Park. 

Raith Rovers 0, Dundee 1, Starks Park, cinch Premiership, 6-August-22

Dundee made two changes to the team last week, Paul McMullan and Zak Rudden retained their places with Ben Williamson injured and Niall McGinn on the bench. Fin Robertson and Ian Lawlor were also injured.  

Dundee started well and played some good football. In 13 minutes they took the lead with a well worked goal. After intercepting a clearance Jordan Marshall exchanged passes with Zak Rudden and raced into space down the left. His low cross was steered on the volley across goal and inside the far post by Josh Mulligan. 

Rovers hit back and it took a superb save from Harry Sharp to deny Sam Stanton, just before half time Dundee lost Jakubiak and Luke McCowan replaced him. The substitute sent over a promising cross following a short free kick but Ryan Sweeney headed over.

Second half and twice Raith had penalty appeals turned by the referee, on the hour Shaun Byrne had to go off injured he was replaced by Paul McGowan. Minutes later Dundee came close Mulligan cut inside and his shot was well saved by the keeper, the ball fell to Zak Rudden who hit the post. 

More changes for Dundee with Robinson and Ashcroft replacing Rudden and Anderson, both teams had chances towards the end. 

Dundee held on for the three points and sets up Friday night's game at Dens against Arbroath,

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Sweeney (c), French, Marshall, Byrne (McGowan 56), Anderson (Ashcroft 82) Mulligan, McMullan, Jakubiak (McCowan 37), Rudden (Robinson 82). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), McGinn, Cameron, Strachan, Fisher.

Referee: Chris Graham

Att: 3,222