Saturday, March 25, 2023

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Dundee 3, Ayr United 1, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 22nd March 2023

Dundee made  two changes when Luke McCowan and Alex Jakubiak kept their places after coming on as subs on Saturday. They replaced Ben Williamson and Paul McMullan, who were on the bench.

Dundee started very well and looked good going forward, the keeper made a superb save to deny Zach Robinson's shot after lovely approach play by Lyall Cameron and Alex Jakubiak. A minute later McCowan had a shot blocked and from the corner Ryan Sweeney scored with a well placed header on 13 minutes.

Dundee were well in control but soon after Ayr broke and scored to level the game at 1-1. A few minutes later and McCowan and Cameron had good efforts saved to keep Dundee at bay.

The last twenty minutes were end to end with both teams failed to take the lead.

Second half and Dundee stepped up and forced Ayr into having no space to play their football. It was good to see.  A beautiful long pass by Cameron allowed McCowan to run in from the right but he fired over the bar. First Robinson and then Mulligan ran along the byline from the right and hit low crosses through the goalmouth with no Dark Blues able to get on the end.

After 59 minutes the Dee broke through. Robinson burst into the penalty area and, instead of shooting, unselfishly set up Alex Jakubiak to shoot past the keeper from 12 yards.

Both Hannant and Jakubiak had good efforts on goal but both went high over the bar. Then Paul McMullan replaced Luke Hannant as Dundee went for the third and killer goal.

And it arrived on 80 minutes when Jakubiak and McCowan quickly swapped passes before Luke McCowan cut inside and scored from 12 yards despite the efforts of a defender on the line.

Dundee saw the game out to get the three vital points, it was good to see them playing better and hopefully they can keep winning to put pressure on Queens Park.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall, McCowan, McGhee, Cameron (Byrne 90+1), Hannant (McMullan 72), Jakubiak (Anderson 90+1), Robinson. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Sharp (gk), Robertson, Williamson, Fisher.

Referee: Steven Kirkland

Att: 4,007

Monday, March 20, 2023

Partick Thistle 0, Dundee 0, Firhill Stadium, cinch Championship, 18th Marrch 2023

Dundee made two changes to their starting line up. Josh Mulligan and Jordan Marshall came in at full back to replace the injured Cammy Kerr and Ryan Clampin. 

Dundee started well enough but failed with their fianal ball or cross into the box. Luke Hannant was the only effort of note. Thistle hit on the break but they failed to trouble the Dundee defence. 

Dundee forced a few corners in the last few minutes of the half but failed to make them count.

Second half  and Dundee were a bit better in attack but again failed with the final ball or cross. Dundee were far more effective in midfield after the restart. Ben Williamson was the dominant figure, dictating play until injury forced him off after 72 minutes. 

The Dark Blues had already stepped up a gear when Alex Jakubiak and Luke McCowan replaced Zach Robinson and Paul McMullan on the hour.

Dundee could have had a penalty late on when Luke Hannant was fouled in the box, but the referee did not give it. 

Both teams tried for a winner but it ended 0-0 Dundee will see it as two points dropped as now it will be a massive effort from Dundee to catch leaders Queens Park.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall (Anderson 66), Williamson (Robertson 72), McMullan (McCowan 61), McGhee, Cameron, Hannant, Robinson (Jakubiak 61). Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Sharp (gk), Byrne, Fisher.

Referee: Alan Newlands

Att: 3,656

Friday, March 10, 2023

Cove Rangers 0, Dundee 2, Balmoral Stadium, cinch Championship, 04-March-23

Dundee made two changes to their team when Cammy Kerr and Barry Maguire both are injured and were replaced by Sam Fisher and Ben Williamson. Dundee started the game well in the first 20 minutes but over passed the ball in the final third of the pitch.

Paul McMullan had a good shot blocked and Lyall Cameron had a shot which hit a defenders and the ball went across the goal with pace. Cove attacked for a wee spell but never troubled the Dundee defence.

Dundee stepped up a gear and Scott Fox had to make two good saves McGhee's header looked a goal all the way. Fox saved again from Cameron who had a decent effort on goal.

The Dark Blues took the lead in first half injury time. McGhee went for Hannant’s cross, couldn’t win in but stopped the defence clearing. Lyall Cameron picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and his shot took a deflection to loop over Fox and into th net.

Second half and Cove started well and had a good go, but after that Dundee got the vital second goal a slick move invoving McMullan who found Williamson who's low cross into the box found Lee Ashcroft who smashed the ball home to the delight of the Dundee fans.

After this Dundee took control and had a few chances to get a third goal, they also put  on subs when Jordan Marshall, Josh Mulligan and Alex Jakubiak for Ryan Clampin, Lyall Cameron and Zach Robinson.

Luke McCowan and Max Anderson came on for the last 10 minutes, adding fresh energy to the Dee. Anderson burst through the middle and fed Jakubiak who cut inside to shoot, but Fox saved well.

They saw the game out for three vital points in this tight league, it was a good day for myself for my first visit to this ground. 

Dundee: Legzdins, Fisher, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Clampin (Marshall 66), Williamson (Anderson 81) McMullan, McGhee, Cameron (Mulligan 66), Hannant (McCowan 81), Robinson (Jakubiak 66) Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Byrne, Robertson.

Referee: Calum Scott

Att: 1,561

Thursday, March 02, 2023

Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Dundee 1, Partick Thistle 3, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 28th February-23

Dundee made a couple of changes with Ryan Clampin and Luke Hannant both made their first starts, taking up the left back and left midfield positions. They replaced Jordan Marshall and Josh Mulligan who were on the bench.

Both teams started poorly with Thistle looking the better side close to the box, Dundee struggled and looked poor all over the field. It took 25 minutes for the first shot which did not trouble Legzdins in the Dundee goal. 

Paul McMullan had a shot saved was the closest Dundee came, but it was Thistle who scored on 40 minutes poor marking in the box and Graham scored with ease to make it 0-1.

Second half and Josh Mulligan replaced Paul McMullan as Dundee tried to step up a gear, they looked better but still failed to trounle the jags defence. 

With 25 minutes to go Dundee made three changes when Ben Williamson, Max Anderson and Luke McCowan replace Barry Maguire, Lyall Cameron and Luke Hannant. It made little difference.

Soon after it was 0-2 when poor marking again and Graham scored his second goal of the night, Dundee did have a couple of efforts on goal. Then on 80 minutes pulled a goal back Williamson done well and his cross was headed by Mulligan for Jordan McGhee to score from close range.

From the kick off Thistle scored again when Tiffoney was put clear and he scored with ease this finished the game. Dundee send on Jakubiak for Kerr and he had a decent shot saved as Dundee tried to score a second goal. 

But it was too late and Thistle held on with ease to claim the three points, Dundee were poor and they must now win at Cove on Saturday to have any chance of  winning the league. 

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr (Jakubiak 82), Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Clampin, Maguire (Anderson 64), Cameron (Williamson 64), McMullan (Mulligan at half time), McGhee, Hannant (McCowan 62), Robinson.  Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Marshall, Fisher, Tolaj.

Referee: Don Robertson

Att: 4,622