Dundee 3, Dumbarton 1, Dens Park, League Cup Group E, 26th July 2023

Dundee made six changes to the team that played at Airdrie. Antonio Portales came in for his debut and Diego Pineda made his first start. Adam Legzdins, Owen Beck, Jordan McGhee and Zach Robinson also came in. Luke McCowan was suspended. The other five players who were replaced were all on the bench; Jon McCracken, Cammy Kerr, Jack Wilkie, Lyall Cameron and Zak Rudden. There was a change to the formation too, with the Dee adopting a three man defence.

In a game which Dundee needed to win they started well and played some fine passing moves. But on 15 minutes Joe Shaughnessy put in a good header in which forced the Sons keeper to save well. 

A great move involving Tiffoney and Beck and his cross set up Jordan McGhee who somehow put the ball over the bar. Josh Mulligan then sent Zach Robinson racing clear, but he shot against the goalie.

But on 38 minutes they finally scored when Beck had a shot saved but the he spilled the ball and in nipped Zach Robertson to score. Dumbarton only took three minutel to draw level, the ball was blocked twice but third time Wallace smashed the ball home.

But a few minutes later Dundee scored to make it 2-1, Scott Tiffoney sent Diego Pineda through the middle to score with a quick, low finish off the post from 16 yards. A fine end to the half and Dundee will have the chance to finish the game in the second half. 

Dundee started well and took full control and were unlucky a few time with chances missed and one was off side. 

But on 77 minutes Scott Tiffoney was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Durnan was sent off for his treatment to Tiffoney. Up stepped Zach Robinson to score to make it 3-1.

Dundee maybe should have scored more in the latter stages of the game but they were unlucky a few times. 

Next up is Inverness CT at Dens on Sunday where Dundee need to win to have any chance of going into the next round.

Dundee: Legzdins, Ashcroft (Robertson 83), Shaughnessy, Portales, Mulligan, McGhee, Boateng, Beck, Tiffoney, Pineda (Cameron 66), Robinson. Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Kerr, Byrne, Rudden, Anderson, Wilkie.

Att: 1,940

Referee: Willie Collum

Airdrieonians 1, Dundee 0, Excelsior Stadium, League Cup Group E, 22nd July 2023

Dundee started with a young looking team and started t attack in the first ten minutes, but failed to get anything on target. Airdrieonians had a wee spell but Dundee put in a few good blocks to stop them scoring.

Dundee played some nice passing moves in the midfield but failed to get that vital ball to the strikers.

Ten minutes from half time the Dark Blues finally did create a good chance. Luke McCowan ran down the right and crossed for Cammy Kerr, who had two shots from 12 yards blocked. Neither Zak Rudden nor Scott Tiffoney could get shots away in the resulting scramble before Rae fell on the ball in relief.

Little changed after half time. Dundee continued to do most of the attacking, but without ever looking convincing. The Diamonds’ attacks were rare and carried no more danger than Dundee’s.

Just before the hour Diego Pineda came on to make his debut, replacing Zak Rudden. Within a couple of minutes Dundee were awarded a penalty that arrived out of nothing. Jon McCracken launched a long clearance that sailed over the heads of the Diamonds’ defenders. Scott Tiffoney raced after it and nudged the ball past Josh Rae before being flattened for an obvious penalty.

Lyall Cameron stepped forward to take the penalty, but his low shot was pushed round the post by Rae. Dundee were sparked into more urgent action by the disappointment, but there was still little penetration.

Diego Pineda did manage to get a shot from 15 yards on target after Josh Mulligan intercepted a loose clearance by Rae, but there was not enough power in the shot to trouble the keeper.

Airdrieonians were awarded a penalty with minutes to go and upstepped McCabe to score what proved to be the winning goal.

Dundee: McCracken, Kerr, Shaughnessy, Ashcroft, Wilkie, Boateng, Cameron (Robertson 68)

McCowan, Mulligan, Tiffoney, Rudden (Pineda 59). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), McGhee, Byrne, Anderson, Graham, Lamb.

Att: 

Referee: Colin Steven

Bonnyrigg Rose 0, Dundee 1, New Dundas Park, League Cup Group E, 18th July 2023

Dundee gave four players their debuts for the Dee tonight, Jon McCracken, Joe Shaughnessy, Owen Beck and Scott Tiffoney. Malachi Boateng was on the bench after signing on loan for the season from Crystal Palace.

Dundee started well and Zak Rudden headed over when he maybe should have scored, soon after  Lee Ashcroft seen his header saved well biy the Bonnyrigg keeper.

Then after 15 minutes zach Robinson had a header well saved by Paddy Martin who was keeping Dundee out. It was all Dundee attacking but they could not find a way past Martin. 

Then Bonnyrigg had their spell and managed a shot which did not trouble Jon McCracken in the Dundee goal.

Into  the second half and Dundee put on Malachi Boateng to make his debut, replacing Max Anderson. Soon after they scored when Zak Rudden scored with a easy finish after good play from Zach Robinson this was on 46 minutes. 

A vital goal for Dundee and they went for the killer second goal to totally kill this cup tie. Tiffoney was so unlucky with a rising shot which looked like it would go in the top corner but somehow Martin pulled off a great save.

Dundee had a let off near the end but Bonnyrigg failed to score when a McCraken error gave them a chance.

Dundee got the vital first three point in this league cup group.

Dundee: McCracken, Kerr (McGhee 67), Shaughnessy, Ashcroft, Beck, McCowan, Anderson (Boateng at half time), Cameron, Tiffoney, Rudden (Mulligan 76), Robinson. Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Byrne, Robertson, Wilkie, Graham, Lamb.

Att: 1,555

Referee: Peter Stuart

Cove Photos

 

Cove Rangers 0, Dundee 1, Balmoral Park, Friendly, 14-July-23

Dundee won this game 1-0 thanks to a 66th minute goal from Zak Rudden. They started the game well enough but could not find a way to score in the final part of their many moves.

The game was a test for the squad and they had to dig deep to earn the victory. The goal came from a header from Zak Rudden from only six yards out from a good Robertson cross from a free kick on the left.

They should have scored more in the second half but failed to take easy chances on one on one with the Cove keeper. 

At least the squad got a good work out and it will set them up for the game at Bonnyrigg on Tuesday when the real stuff begins.

Dundee: Legzdins (McCracken at half time), Kerr, Shaughnessy, Ashcroft, Beck, Byrne (Rudden at half time), McCowan, Anderson (McGhee 69), Cameron, Robertson, Robinson (Mulligan 63). Unused Subs: Sharp, (gk), Richardson, Allan, Wilkie, Graham, Lamb.

Referee: Greg Soutar

Att: 

Arbroath Photos

 

Arbroath 0, Dundee 1, Friendly, Gayfield, 12th July 2023

Dundee started the game with two strikers with Zach Robinson playing a deeper role to help feed the wingers from midfield. Zak Rudden was the main striker tonight. Arbroath started the better and attacked Dundee from the start.

Dundee came into the game more as the half wore on and played some nice football which needed a finish. Fin Robertson and Zach had good efforts on goal as Dundee looked to take the lead.

Dundee took the lead after 37 minutes when the Arbroath defence failed to deal with a high ball. Zak Rudden took possession on the edge of the penalty area. Instead of trying to shoot through a crowd of defenders he knocked a pass over the top for Zach Robinson to run in from the right and lift his scoring shot over the advancing Gaston.

Two minutes later Gaston was back in action, saving a fierce shot from Rudden after a fast break down the right by Luke McCowan.

A few minutes later Arbroath got a penalty when Wilkie fouled Mark Stowe, up stepped Leighton McInatosh but Jon McCraken pulled off a great diving save to deny the ex-Dundee striker.

Into the second half and Dundee changed goalkeeper with Adam Legzins coming on, Dundee had a few good chances but Gaston pulled off some good saves to deny Robinson and McCowan. 

Dundee made more changes with Anderson and Ashcroft coming off to be replaced by Cameron and Graham. 

It ended 1-0 for Dundee a good hard work out for the squad and they will play Cove Rangers away on Saturday in the final pre-season game. 

Dundee: McCracken (Legzdins at half time), Mulligan (Byrne 75), Shaughnessy, Ashcroft (Graham 88), Wilkie, McCowan, Anderson (Cameron 69), Robertson, Tiffoney, Rudden, Robinson (Kerr 61). Unused Substitutes: Sharp, (gk), Lamb, Allan, Clark, Richardson.

Att: 2,160

Ref:

 

Fleetwood Town 1, Dundee 2, Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Friendly, 8th July 2023

Dundee's second game was against Fleetwood Town in Waterford. They play in England in League One. Dundee started well and scored after 26 minutes when Josh Mulligan won the ball in a dangerous position and drove forward. Mulligan then played a clever one-two with Zak Rudden before laying the ball off to Zach Robinson who slotted home.

Fleetwood levelled the score eight minutes later. The goal came from a corner which was first met by Conor Teale and then flicked into the net by Jack Marriott.

Second half saw very few chances for both teams in a competitive game, but with seven minutes to go a bit of magic from Luke McCowan  when he lobbed the ball home in over the half way line to win  the game for Dundee.

Again another good work out for the team and squad. Next up is away to Arbroath this Wednesday.

Dundee: McCracken (Sharp 70), Kerr, Shaughnessy(c), Ashcroft, Beck (Graham 70), Mulligan, McCowan, Robertson, Tiffoney (Wilkie 70), Robinson (Lamb 70), Rudden. Unused Substitute: Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C

Bray Wandererers 1, Dundee 5, Carlisle Grounds, Friendly, 5th July 2023

Dundee got their two games in Ireland off to a flyer with a 5-1 win against Bray Wanderers. Dundee started well and scored twice in the first 20 minutes. Firstly Max Anderson drove forward and found Finlay Robertson whose then passed to Zach Robinson to tap home his first goal this season after 10 minutes on the clock.

Then on 18 minutes Owen Beck drove forward and played a one two with Robertson to net his first goal for Dundee. 

Bray pulled a goal back in the 39th minute when trialist Nadre Butcher went on a solo run before finding the bottom corner of the net.

A minute before half time Dundee restored their two goal lead when Robertson again linked up with Zach Robinson who grabbed his second of the game.

The second half Dundee made eight changes when  McCracken, Wilkie, Rudden, Mutale, Graham, Lamb and Mulligan all coming on for Legzdins, Beck, Robinson, Anderson, Shaughnessy, Kerr and McCowan. Luke McCowan later came back to replace Lyall Cameron for the last ten minutes.

Dundee scored again on the hour when Zak Rudden scored with a fine finish. Fiveteen minutes later and Zak Rudden scored again with a fine top corner finish to seal the game 5-1. 

A good work out for the squad who will face a tougher game on Saturday when they play Fleetwood Town. 

Dundee: Legzdins (McCracken 53′), Kerr (Lamb 53′), Shaughnessy(c) (Graham 53′), Ashcroft, Beck (Wilkie 53′), Byrne, Cameron (McCowan 81′ – back on), Anderson (Mutale 53′), McCowan (Mulligan 53′), Robertson, Robinson (Rudden 53′) Unused Substitute: Sharp

Referee: Oliver Moran.

Brechin City 1, Dundee 5, Glebe Park, Friendly, 01-July-2023

Dundee started well with a strong team with a mix of youngsters on the bench. Early on Cammy Kerr and Zak Rudden went close to score. 

Dundee did take the lead when a good pass from Luke McCowan put Scott Tiffoney clear and he scored with ease. That was after 19 minutes and they had chance before Scott Tiffoney scored his second goal shooting home when wide out on the right, he could have had his hat-trick soon after that but  the Brechin keeper made a great save. 

Brechin in this period had a couple of shots but failed to score. Then right on halftime it was 0-3 when Max Anderson scored with a cracking curled finish after a good flick that put Max clear.

Dundee made four substitutions at half time. Harry Sharp came on in goal, Jack Wilkie replaced Lee Ashcroft in central defence, and Shaun Byrne and Finlay Robertson came into the midfield to replace Max Anderson and Josh Mulligan.

Wilkie came close to a goal from a corner when he powered a header a foot over the bar. Rudden shot narrowly over after good work on the left from Tiffoney as Dundee continued to dominate.

On the hour mark the Dee made six further substitutions sending on youngsters to replace all the senior players who had started, with the exception of trialist Jacob Jones.

Brechin pulled a goal back soon after when Ewan Loudan netted after Sharp had saved. Dundee recovered and scored to make it 4-1 with trialist Jacob Jones scored with a neat shot from a free kick. Soon after Finlay Allan made the final score 5-1.

A good work out for the squad and it was my biggest win against Brechin City either home or away.

Dundee:(first 60 minutes) 4-2-3-1, Legzdins (Sharp at half time); Kerr, Shaughnessy, Ashcroft (Wilkie at half time), Trialist. Cameron, Anderson (Byrne at half time), McCowan, Mulligan (Robertson at half time), Tiffoney. Rudden

Dundee FC (from 60 minutes) 4-4-2. Sharp. Lamb, Crowther, Wilkie, Trialist. Clark, Byrne, Robertson, Barnett, Mutale, Allan, Unused substitutes: Murray, Richardson. 

Att: 1,527.

Referee: Andy Gamble

Brechin Photos