Saturday, February 18, 2023

Dundee 2, Raith Rovers 2, AET (Lost 4-3 on pens)Dens Park, SPFL Trust Trophy Semi-Final, 08-February-23

Dundee's starting line-up had four changes from Saturday’s draw at Hamilton. Harrison Sharp, Lyall Cameron, Paul McMullan and Alex Jakubiak came in for Adam Legzdins, Josh Mulligan and Ben Williamson, who were all on the bench, and Sam Fisher, who was cup tied. 

They got off to the perfect start scoring after just 4 minutes when McMullan raced clear and his cross found Lyall Cameron who shot home from 10 yards. In the next few minutes Thomas had two great chances to score his first shot saved his second was just wide of the goal.

The second goal came on 28 minutes a great smooth move involving McCowan, Jakubiak, McMullan, McCowan again before Lyall Cameron scored with a low cross shot from six yards. 

Soon after the game should have been finished when first Jakubiak somehow missed from 2 yard out in middle of the goal the ball went over the ball. Then McCowan was unlucky when his shot smashed off the bar.

Second half and Dundee sent on Zach Robinson for Alex Jakubiak as fresh legs would help, but Rovers came back into the game they changed their shape and looked much better.

Dundee kept missing chances when Rovers pulled a goal back, worse was to follow when they scored again to force extra time in what was a good cup tie.

Dundee had made more changes before the goals when Ashcroft had to go off Mulligan came on and Sheridan also replaced Thomas. 

Dundee then lost Cillian Sheridan to injury before extra time started. Max Anderson came on.

Extra time was the same vein as both teams went close to score with Dundee shots were just going wide to the despair of the Dundee support.

The game was settled by a penalty shoot out which put Raith Rovers into the final  they won 4-3.

Dundee: Sharp, McGhee, Ashcroft (Mulligan 66), Sweeney (c), Kerr, McMullan (Tolaj 72), Maguire, Cameron (Williamson 86), McCowan, Jakubiak (Robinson at half time), Thomas (Sheridan 66 (Anderson 90)). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Byrne, Robertson.

Referee: Colin Steven

Att: 2,948