Sunday, April 30, 2023

Dundee 0, Cove Rangers 0, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 28th April 2023

Dundee started with the same line up for the third game in a row, no shock in that as Dundee looked to get that vital win. 

Dundee started okay and could have scored after six minutes when Alex Jakubiak raced to the byline and Zach Robinson stretched to turn his cutback wide of the far post. Soon after Lee Ashcroft put a header over the bar from a Luke McCowan cross.

Cove were set up to defend deep and waste time at every time they could, Dundee kept at it but nothing fell clear cut for them. 

Dundee missed a few more chances before half-time but their play was either over passed or misplaced crosses which ended the half at 0-0.

Second half and Dundee stepped up the tempo, soon after Josh Mulligan made a powerful run into the penalty area and passed inside for Zach Robinson who smashed a great chance high over the bar. On the other wing Jordan Marshall raced to the byline but Mulligan headed wide at the far post.

Kwame Thomas and Paul McMullan came on for Alex Jakubiak and Luke Hannant after 71 minutes. Soon after Lyall Cameron had a shot saved which went over the bar, then Luke McCowan had a header saved by Fox.

Ben Williason and Ryan Clampin replaced Barry Maguire and Luke McCowan for the final charge. In injury time Dundee went close twice when a 20 yard rocket from Lyall Cameron was turned over the bar by keeper Scott Fox. From the corner Lee Ashcroft headed against the post and Ryan Sweeney shot over the bar from the rebound.

Soon after the final whistle went and it will make next week's game at Queen's Park interesting, us Dees can only hope Morton can give us a good result on Saturday. 

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall, McCowan (Clampin 86), Maguire (Williamson 86), Cameron, Hannant (McMullan 71), Jakubiak (Thomas 71), Robinson. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Kerr, Byrne, Fisher, Reedy.

Referee: Greg Aitken

Att: 6.862

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Inverness CT 1 Dundee 1, Caledonian Stadium, cinch Championship, 22nd April 2023

Dundee were unchanged for this vital game and were backed by a big support who had travelled up to Inverness for the last away game on a Saturday. 

They started well and had a few early chances the best fell to Alex Jakubiak who miscued his shot from eight yards out. Then soon after Luke Hannant's  had a good effort which was just wide of the goal. 

Dundee had control of the game but Inverness CT came back but never troubled Adam Legzdins in the Dundee  goal, Zack Robinson missed the goals with header as the first half drew close to a end.

Second half and it was much the same Dundee pushing for the opening goal. Dundee had a few chances but failed with the final ball.

Finally, after 60 minutes Dundee made the breakthrough they deserved. Zach Robinson broke through the middle and sent Alex Jakubiak away on the left. The striker cut inside and his shot was blocked in front of Ridgers. As so often Lyall Cameron timed his run perfectly and was in a position six yards out to react instantly and backheel a shot into the corner of the net.

A fine goal and Dundee went for the killer second goal, but on 75 minutes Inverness CT scored against the run of play a croos was deflected and it fell nicely for Samuels to net.

Both teams went for the second goal but bothe defences stood firm for the game to end 1-1. With the results going for us a draw was not too bad as the club stayed top.

Next week it's Cove Rangers at Dens in our final home game of the season.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall (Clampin 81), McCowan (McMullan 67), Maguire, Cameron (Williamson 84), Hannant (Reedy 81), Jakubiak (Thomas 81), Robininson. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Kerr, Byrne, Fisher.

Referee: Euan Anderson

Att: 3,882

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Dundee 3, Morton 3, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 15th April 2023

Dundee started with the much the same side as the Raith game the only change was when Barry Maguire replaced the injured Jordan McGhee. 

Dundee started slow and got better after 10 minutes with Josh Mulligan and Lee Ashcroft had efforts on goal but were not on target. But Morton took the lead on 17 minutes when the ball was not cleared and O'Connor hooked the ball home. 

Dundee had a go to level the game but struggled to create anything of note to trouble the Morton defence, who were happy to waste time when they could. But on 32 minutes Dundee scored when Luke Hannant headed home from a good cross from Zach Robinson. 

Josh Mulligan went close with shot but it was just wide of the goal as half time arrived.

Second half and it was much the same vein Dundee did attack but failed to get efforts on target, Morton got the decision of a free kick and it looked the other way but Muirhead scored from 30 yards toput Morton ahead it was a fine finish from the striker.

Five minutes later and it 3-1 when Baird scored with a header it was a poor goal to lose and gave Dundee a hugh mountain to climb.

This time Dundee did respond positively and forcefully. Gary Bowyer threw on Kwame Thomas and Paul McMullan for Alex Jakubiak and Luke McCowan.

Within four minutes Barry Maguire was fouled as he drove into the penalty area from the right. The referee awarded the free kick a foot outside the box despite the crowd’s screams for a spot kick.

It made no difference because Hannant chipped the free kick to the far post where Kwame Thomas  headed home.

It gave Dundee hope as they pushed forward to try and get a draw, and four minutes into injury time it arrived when a ball from McMullan was not headed and Kwame Thomas nicked in to smash the ball home to score it could prove a very vital goal and point for Dundee in their bid to win the league.

Next up is a tricky trip up to Inverness CT next Saturday.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall, McCowan (McMullan 66), Maguire (Williamson 84), Cameron, Hannant (Reedy 84), Jakubiak (Thomas 66), Robinson. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Kerr, Byrne, Fisher, Clampin.

Referee: Chris Graham

Att: 5,246

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Dundee 3, Raith Rovers 1, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 11th April 2023

Dundee made one change to the team with Zach Robinson replacing Paul McMullan who is on the bench. 

Dundee attacked from the start and Luke McCowan had a shot blocked in the first minute, Dundee kept up the pressure and forced a few corners. Josh Mulligan headed into the side netting from a Hannant cross as Dundee continued to threaten.

Dundee then had a flat spell but never troubled by Raith when they did attack, but on 29 minutes Dundee scored the vital first goal. Following a throw on the right Mulligan found Zach Robinson who swapped passes with bewildering speed with Alex Jakubiak, before running clear to poke the ball past the advancing keeper and into the net.

Dundee looked well in control now and could have added more before half time with both Hannant and Robinson efforts on the goal.

The second half started the same with Dundee on the attack, they got the second goal on 52 minutes when Luke McCowan flighted a lovely teasing cross from the right into the goalmouth. The defence seemed to think it would sail harmlessly through to the keeper, but Zach Robinson nipped in to turn the ball home for number two.

Dundee still attacked and got the killer third goal on 75 minutes when Marshall and Hannant combined on the left. Hannant’s pass sent Cameron to the byline where he cut the ball back for Alex Jakubiak to smash a low shot into the net from seven yards.

Just two minutes later Raith pulled a goal back when Akio netted from close range, the good thing  is it never troubled Dundee or the final scoreline. 

Dundee played well enough in the wind and rain to win a vital match in the run in. Next up is Morton at Dens on Saturday.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall, McCowan (Reedy 86), McGhee (Maguire 90+1), Cameron (Byrne 86) , Hannant, Jakubiak (Thomas 84), Robinson (McMullan 84). Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Williamson, Fisher, Clampin.

Referee: Greg Aitken

Att: 5,009

Sunday, April 09, 2023

Arbroath 0, Dundee 0, Gayfield, cinch Championship, 08-April-23

Dundee made only one change to the team when Paul McMullan came in for the injured Zach Robinson. It was nice and sunny as the game got underway.

Dundee started quite well ans attack mainly on the break, but the final ball was not good enough most of the time. A good break through the middle by Luke McCowan gave Luke Hannant the chance to send over an inviting cross, but neither Jordan McGhee nor Josh Mulligan could take advantage.

McMullan came desperately close to the opening goal at the end of the first half. McGhee headed a free kick down and McMullan sent a measured 18 yard shot against the post. The Lichties were able to scramble the ball away following the rebound.

That was the closest Dundee came in the first half, second half was much the same as the half with Dundee struggling to get that vital first goal. 

After 74 minutes Kwame Thomas came on for Alex Jakubiak and Pierre Reedy made his debut as a substitute for Luke McCowan.

Arbroath had a couple of efforts but never troubled Dundee keeper Adam Legzdins as the game came to a close, Dundee still pushed for a winner but had to settle for a vital point.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall, McCowan (Reedy 74), McGhee, Cameron , Hannant, Jakubiak (Thomas 74), McMullan. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Byrne, Robertson, Williamson, Fisher, Clampin, Maguire.

Referee: Scott Lambie

Att: 5,563

Dundee 7, Hamilton Accies 0, Dens Park, cinch Championship, 01-April-23

Dundee were unchanged teamwise for the the visit of Hamilton Accies to Dens Park for this important league game. 

They got off to the perfect start scoring on seven minutes when  Jordan Marshall combined sweetly with Luke Hannant before whipping an inviting low cross through the goalmouth. It took a slight deflection en route to the far post where Alex Jakubiak gleefully turned in the opening goal. 

They attacked in the next 10 minutes and it was no surprize when Ryan Sweeney scored with a header from a  Luke Hannant corner. Dundee were disrupted when they lost Zach Robinson to a nasty head knock. This was the low point of a wonderful afternoon. Robinson had been excellent partnering Jakubiak but Dundee hardly missed him when Paul McMullan came on to replace him.

Dundee still attacked after a flat spell and scored twice brfore half-time first when McCowan sent Josh Mulligan away down the right. Mulligan fired a fierce low cross into the goalmouth and Lyall Cameron  did what he does so well timing his arrival perfectly to shoot home.

Deep into first half injury time Marshall’s pass from the left on the half way line found Luke McCowan  sneaking in behind the Accies centre backs. He calmly poked his shot through the keeper’s legs for number four.

Second half and Accies made more changes to their team that's four in total, it made little difference as Dundee looked dangerous on every attack. 

Fulton made a couple of good saves but Dundee made it 5-0 when Lyall Cameron took a pass from Luke McCowan and scored with ease.

Just four minutes later Cameron had his hat-trick. He made a lovely skillful run through the midfield and passed out to Hannant on the left. The winger chipped over a fine cross for Lyall Cameron to send a header looping over the keeper for number six.

Dundee made four changes when Sam Fisher, Shaun Byrne, Finlay Robertson and Kwame Thomas came on for Josh Mulligan, Alex Jakubiak, Luke Hannant and Lyall Cameron and they received a deserved standing ovation as they left the field.

It payed off a minute later when Kwame Thomas headed home for his first goal for the club from a McMullan cross and goal number 7. 

Dundee could have scored more and on the day they were first class on every thing they done. It was Dundee's biggest league win since beating East Fife 7-1 in 1996.

Dundee: Legzdins, Mulligan (Fisher 79), Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall, McCowan, McGhee, Cameron (Byrne 79), Hannant (Robertson 79), Jakubiak (Thomas 79), Robinson (McMullan 31). Unused subs: Lawlor (gk), Sharp (gk), Clampin, Maguire.