Christmas Tree is Done

 

Hearts Photos

 

Hearts 2, Dundee 0, Tynecasle, William Hill Premiership, 07-December-24

Dundee made two changes to their team when Fin Robertson and Seb Palmer-Houlden came in for Scott Tiffoney and Simon Murray, who were both on the bench.

Hearts started the game well and were trying to score early. They were getting a lot of balls into the box andxthey missed a couple of chances in the first tens minutes.

Dundee were struggling and gave the ball away too much and a goal had to come. It did after 21 minutes, a long cross was headed home by Shankland.

Dundee continuted to struggle and it was clear changes had to be made, but they fell 2-0 down when another shot was saved by McCracken but the ball was pushed out to the middle of the goal, it fell nice for Shankland to score his second of the game.

Dundee did have a ten minute spell, but failed to create anything of note, at least they got to half-time.

Second half and they made two changes Simon Murray and Ethan Ingram came on for Seun Adewumi and Fin Robertson. Jordan McGhee moved to left wing back and Josh Mulligan switched to central midfield.

Other changes were Tiffoney replaced Palmer-Houlden , and Vetro came on for Mulligan late on.

Dundee came close to conceding an embarrassing third goal when McCracken battered a clearance against Billy Koumetio and set up Dremmeh to run the ball into the empty goal from 35 yards. Fortunately the offside flag spared the Dark Blue blushes.

They looked better, but never forced Gordon into a save during the 90 minutes, apart of a diving save at Murray's feet late on. 

In injury time Portales put a header over the ball from a tight angle and that was that full time.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Portales, Koumetio, Mulligan (Vetro 83), McGhee (c), Sylla, Fin Robertson (Ingram at half time). Cameron, Adewumi (Murray at half time), Palmer-Houlden (Tiffoney 61). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Carson (gk), Main, Kelly, Braybrooke.

Referee: Colin Steven

Att: 18,787

Motherwell Photos

 

Dundee 4, Motherwell 1, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 04-December-2024

Dundee made two changes to their starting eleven. Scott Tiffoney and Seun Adewumi came in for Fin Robertson and Seb Palmer-Houlden, who were both on the bench.

Both teams struggled in the first ten minutes with Motherwell doing slightly better. They had two shots on target, nothing to worry Jon McCracken,

Dundee took the lead with a goal of the highest quality in their first serious attack after 14 minutes. Scott Tiffoney did well to nip past his marker and race down the left. He passed to Seun Adewumi  who cut inside and whipped a glorious shot round keeper Aston Oxborough and inside the far post.

It was against the run of play but it was a fine goal, although it did not last long as Motherwell hit back when a fine move ended with Stamatelopoulos scoring after McCracken had made a fine save to deny Paton.

Motherwell had a good spell and Dundee tryed to hit on the break, but too many stray passes in a busy midfield which seemed overcrowded. 

That was the way the first half ended. It was great to  see Javier Artero at the half-time draw, a great talent for the dark blues 20 yearts ago.

Second half and the game sprung into life as both teams had a go, it was end to end stuff. 

As the hour mark arrived Motherwell won a corner, but it was the Dark Blues who scored from it with a classic breakaway. McCracken caught the corner and threw it out to Antonio Portales who was sprinting out of defence. The Mexican defender raced forward with Dark Blues flooding into the Motherwell half at pace. Portales had several options but passed left for Scott Tiffoney to cut inside the last defender and score with a low shot inside the far post from 15 yards.

Three minutes later it 3-1 as agreat pass from Murray played in Lyall Cameron who's shot took a deflection and ended up in the net to send the Dundee fans with delight.

Four more minutes and the Dark Blues killed the game with goal number four. Murray chased a long ball heading towards the corner flag. He muscled Kofi Balmer off the ball and set up Lyall Cameron to score with a low shot across Oxborough.

That finished the game as now Dundee in total control, although Motherwell still played on Jon McCracken had a couple of great saves to keep the score the same.

Billy Koumetio had to go off after taking a head knock and Sean Kelly came on for his debut, in midfield with Jordan McGhee dropping back, 

Julien Vetro arrived as a late substitute and impressed with some lively attacking on the right. His combination with Mo Sylla almost set up a fifth goal, but the ball got stuck between the feet of Seb Palmer-Houlden, another substitute. Fin Roberton also came on as well. 

Dundee finished the game well and the 4-1 win pushes them up to fifth in the table. So a very good night for the dark blues.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Portales, Koumetio (Kelly 84), Mulligan, Cameron, McGhee, Sylla, Tiffoney (Fin Robertson 69), Murray (c) (Palmer-Houlden 69), Adewumi (Vetro 89). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Carson (gk), Ingram, Main, Braybrooke.

Referee: John Beaton. 

Att: 5,381.

News From Dens......

Dundee will play Dundee United in the 4th Rd of the Scottish Cup, it will take place on 18/19 Jan 2025.

Dundee are extremely pleased to announce the signing of Sean Kelly on a short-term deal till January 2025, subject to international clearance.

The 31 year-old is an experienced defender who has made over 300 professional appearances. Sean has played for St Mirren, AFC Wimbledon, Ross County, Falkirk, Livingston and has just finished playing for  Cypriot side Karmiotissa FC.

Kilmarnock Photos

 

Kilmarnock 1, Dundee 1, Rugby Park, William Hill Premiership, 30-November-24

Dundee nearly started with the  same team which finished the Hibernian game, with Clark Robertson out injured and Jon McCracken took over from Trevor Carson who had a slight knock. 

Dundee started well and were the better team in the first tens minutes, they stepped up a gear and created several chance.

Josh Mulligan burst past Robbie Deas on the left and his cut back was battered goalwards by Jordan McGhee. It took a fine save by Robbie McCrorie to deny Dundee an early lead. McGhee headed over from the resulting corner. A minute later Lyall Cameron rifled a low 20 yard narrowly past the post.

Again Mulligan got to the byeline and his cross was somehow missed by Murray when a goal looked certain. 

But as the first half went on the play became a bit scrappy and both teams stuggled a wee bit.

Second half and Dundee replaced Sylla with Ethan Ingram , with Mulligan moved into midfield,. Kilmarnock stepped up and looked the better side for a spell.

Dundee themselves struggled and Jon McCraken had to make a couple of good saves, but then Dundee replaced Josh Mulligan with Seun Adewumi, 

It paid off a few minutes later a good run and cutback from Adewumi and the ball fell nicely to Lyall Cameron who finished well high into the net. 

Kilmarnock made three subs and it paid off 9 minutes later when Wales scored with a fine powerfull shot. They went for the winner and McCraken again saved well and Dundee earned a well deserved point away from home. 

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Portales, Koumetio, Mulligan (Adewumi 66), Cameron, McGhee, Sylla (Ingram at half time), Fin Robertson, Palmer-Houlden, Murray (c). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Tiffoney, Kelly, Braybrooke, Vetro.

Referee: Ross Hardie

Att: 5,454

Dundee 4, Hibernian 1, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 23rd November-2024

Dundee made four changes to the Dee’s starting eleven. Trevor Carson, Antonio Portales, Billy Koumetio, and Fin Robertson came in for Jon McCracken, Ryan Astley, Ziyad Larkeche, and Seun Adewumi.

Hibs got off to a flying start whwn they scored in the first minute, good wing play and the cross was  swept into the net for a dream start.

Hibs had two more efforts in what was a tough opening tens minute for the dee. Clark Robertson was forced off injured and Ryan Astley came on.

In thr next minute Hibs were down to 10 men after a high tackle from Obita on Sylla. Dundee immediately settled and started to keep possession and pose problems for Hibs’ defence. A cross by Astley struck the post as Hibs looked increasingly vulnerable.

In 26 minutes it was 1-1 good wing play from Fin Robertson and his cutback was finely put away by Jordan McGhee for a fine goal.

It was all Dundee now as Hibs had totally fallen out of the game. A great run and cross from Mulligan and Seb Palmer-Houlden thumped a header against the crossbar.

Two minutes later another great run by Mulligan created space for Lyall Cameron to shoot from 16 yards, but Bursik made a terrific save to stop the ball finding the far corner. The second goal was delayed only by a few seconds, however. Fin Robertson’s corner to the near post was met by Portales’s glancing header and the ball struck the back of Nectarios Triantis's head and flew into the top corner.

Then in injury time Dundee scored again when a pass back and the Hibs keeper make a big mistake with Palmer-Holden and Murray bearing down on the mistake. It was Seb Palmer-Holden who won the ball and got the vital touch to score the vital third goal.

Second half and after Hibs had a shot at goal, it was all Dundee. The midfield of Cameron, Mulligan and Robertson were superb. Lyall Cameron came close again but his shot just dropped over the bar. 

Sammy Braybrooke and Ethan Ingram replaced Mo Sylla and Josh Mulligan for the last 20 minutes of play.

Curtis main came on as well replacing Fin Robertson. Dundee were still attacking and it paid off when a fine pass from Cameron to Curtis Main to beat the offside trap and he drilled the ball home to score to make it 4-1.

That was that and a vital three points for the Dark Blues. As storm Bert has been hitting the United Kingdom just now. I think Storm Dee hit the Hibee's today.

Dundee: Carson (c), Portales, Koumetio, Clark Robertson (Astley 9), Mulligan (Ingram 73), Cameron, McGhee, Sylla (Braybrooke 73), Fin Robertson (Main 87), Palmer-Houlden, Murray. Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Tiffoney, Adewumi.

Referee: Nick Walsh

Att: 5,310

Aberdeen Photos

 

Aberdeen 4, Dundee 1, Pittodrie Stadium, William Hill Premiership, 09-November-24

Dundee made two changes when Jordan McGhee and Josh Mulligan kept their places after coming off the bench last week to turn the game around against Kilmarnock. Ethan Ingram and Antonio Portales moved to the bench as Dundee switched to a formation with four at the back. 

Dundee started veryn brightly and knocked the ball about well playing from the back. Aberdeen came forward as well and Clark Robertson had to clear a dangerous low ball from Graeme Shinnie. Ester Sokler headed yards wide from a promising free kick by Leighton Clarkson.

Jon McCracken had to save twice from Duk. The first was a straightforward block of a shot from a tight angle. The second one was more demanding. McCracken beat away a well struck shot from 18 yards after Duk cut in from the right.

After that short spell of danger from Aberdeen the game swung in the favour of the Dark Blues who were the more composed side. Lyall Cameron’s pass sent Simon Murray into the penalty area and the striker got his shot away at the second attempt with Mitov saving.

Just before half time Simon Murray was pulled back and the referee gave Dundee a penalty. After a few minutes Simon Murray stepped up and his spot kick was saved to deny Dundee a well deseved lead at half-time.

Second half and the game swung Aberdeen's way and they scored twice to lead 2-0. Dundee came back into it and had a few chances. 

Scott Tiffoney and Ethan Ingram came on for Seun Adewumi and Jordan McGhee after 64 minutes. Tiffoney made a lively contribution and he provided the assist for the goal that gave the Dark Blues fleeting hope with 70 minutes gone. The winger sent over a perfect cross from the left for Simon Murray  to score with a lovely glancing header inside the far post.

But as it happens some times Dundee gave away a very soft goal a simple ball through the middle and it was 3-1 to the Dons. At least Dundee kept attacking but the game was over. 

Aberdeen scored again to make it look a totally different game and make the final score was 4-1.

Dundee: McCracken, McGhee (Ingram 64), Astley, Clark Robertson, Larkeche (Koumetio 79), Cameron, Sylla, Mulligan (Fin Robertson 90) Palmer-Houlden, Murray (c) (Main 90), Adewumi (Tiffoney 64). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Braybrooke, Portales.

Att: 19,274.

Referee: David Dickinson. 

Kilmarnock Photos

 

Dundee 3, Kilmarnock 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 03-November-24

Dundee made two changes to the team that played Celtic on Wednesay. Seb Palmer-Houlden and Seun Adewumi came in for Josh Mulligan and Fin Robertson, who were named as substitutes. It was Adewumi’s first start for the Dee.

The first 20 minutes was end to end with both teams moving and passing the ball about, Dundee's only real chance was a Palmer-Houlden header which was well wide of the target.

But it was Killie who took the lead with a easy finish for Anderson when Jon McCracken fumbed a cross. Dundee at least attack and had a few efforts at goal which was blocked or saved. 

Seun Adewumi went close from Simon Murray’s cut-back, but his shot flashed narrowly wide and into the side netting.

But again Dundee got caught a cross was headed home by Armstrong who seemed to get a free header to make the score 2-0 Kilmaernock. 

But at least Dundee got back into the a few minutes later when good play from Adewumi who's cross was headed home by Seb Palmer-Houlden for a vital goal before half-time.

Second half and both teams attacked to try and finish the game, for Dundee it was to get level. Dundee made two changes at half time. Jordan McGhee and Josh Mulligan replaced Ethan Ingram amd Lyall Cameron.

And it the subs who linked up to set up Jordan McGhee to head home to level the score at 2-2. Dundee went for the winner and pushed forward with a few attacks.

Seun Adewumi had a fine 60 minutes but he pulled up while attacking and, after treatment, was replaced by Scott Tiffoney.

Tiffoney ran onto a header by Palmer-Houlden and his angled shot sailed agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

Tiffoney looked sure to have an open goal when Palmer-Houlden sent a hard and low cross into the goalmouth, but a desperate blocking clearance denied him. Dundee came straight back at Killie and McCrorie pulled off a terrific save to keep out Larkeche’s fierce shot.

Kilmarnock had a wee spell but Dundee held firm and in injury time they scored the winner. Great run and play from Josh Mullighan he then set to Ziyad Larkechie who had made a great run from the half way line to pass the ball into the net.

Killie kicked off and soon after the Referee blew his whistle to end the game. Three vital points for Dundee today and next up is a visit to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Clark Robertson (Koumetio 84), Portales, Ingram (McGhee at half time), Cameron (Mulligan at half time), Sylla, Larkeche, Palmer-Houlden, Murray (c), Adewumi (Tiffoney 64). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Main, Fin Robertson, Braybrooke, Vetro.

Referee: Dan McFarlane. 

Att: 5,014

Celtic 2, Dundee 0, Celtic Park, William Hill Premiership, 30th October 2024

Dundee made three changes from Saturday’s line-up. Jon McCracken replaced the injured Trevor Carson in goal. Antonio Portales came into central defence and Josh Mulligan into midfield with Billy Koumetio and Curtis Main named on the bench.

Dundee had a great chance to take the lead in the first half when Fin Robertson’s free kick from the right was nodded down by Clark Robertson and Antonio Portales’s shot was kept out at full stretch by Schmeichel.

Dundee settled in and worked hard to stop Celtic who had a few good chances, Jon McCracken made a good save using hiss foot to block.

Dundee got to half-time in no danger when Celtic struggled to open the scoring.

Second half and McCracken made a few saves, the pick was a diving one to deny Palma’s volley and then recovered quickly enough to block Kyago’s close range follow up.

But they scored on the hour when Johnston nipped in at near post to score a well taken goal. Dundee had a rare attack but failed to score. Seven minutes later it was 2-0 from the penalty spot when Portales was adjudged to pull Kyogo's shirt. 

It looked very soft but Engels scored and that ended the game. For Dundee the only bonus was the younger players to play at Celtic Park.

Dundee: McCracken, Ingram, Astley, Clark Robertson, Portales, Larkeche, Cameron (Braybrooke 85), Sylla, Mulligan, Fin Robertson, Murray (c) (Palmer-Houlden 68). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Adewumi, Koumetio, McGhee, Main, Vetro.

Referee: Ross Hardie

Att: 58,751

St Johnstone Photos

 

Dundee 1, St Johnstone 2, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 26 October 2024

Dundee only made one change from the team that won at Motherwell last Saturday. Mo Sylla returning from suspension. He took the place of the injured Scott Fraser.

Dundee started well and played some good football, Saints themselves looked good on the ball as well, But their defence struggled a couple of times in the first few minutes.

Tt was no surprise when they scored on 12 minutes, a long ball from Carson found Simon Murray who got clear to lob the keeper and chest the ball into the net to score a well taken goal. 

For St Johnstone it was a poor goal to lose, a minute late they were in a mess again, but this time Ziyad Larkeche’s powerful shot was well saved.

After this the game swung Saints way where they had more of the ball, as the Dundee midfield struggled to create anything.

Trevor Carson made a great save to deny Saints a certain goal where here he dived at the feet of  Sidibeh.

Dundee's only real chance was a Murray shot which went wide after a cut back from Robertson.

Dundee made one change at half-time when Sammy Braybrooke came on for Mo Sylla. It didn’t change the patterrn of the game.

It looked like Saints would score and they came close a few times before on 57 minutes when Carey curled a shot past Carson for a well taken goal,

Dundee responded with a triple substitution, sending on Seun Adewumi, Scott Tiffoney, and Seb Palmer-Houlden to replace Ethan Ingram, Ziyad Larkeche, and Curtis Main. 

For a ten minute spell Dundee looked much better, but Saints finished the game the better side.

And on 90th minutes Clark scored the winner for Saints when he forced the ball home. After a check with VAR they could not say if Clark was off-side, It took 6 minutes to finally make a decision for the goal to stand.

Dundee were poor today and deserved to lose, but tough to lose another late goal.

Dundee: Carson (c), Astley, Koumetio, Clark Robertson, Ingram (Adewumi 68), Cameron (Mullgian 82), Sylla (Braybrooke at half time), Fin Robertson, Larkeche (Palmer-Houlden 68), Murray, Main (Tiffoney 68). Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Portales, Vetro.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Att: 6,548

Motherwell Photos

 

Motherwell 0, Dundee 1, Fir Park, William Hill Premiership, 19th October 2024

Dundee's line-up had four changes. Trevor Carson, Ryan Astley, Scott Fraser and Fin Robertson came in for their their first starts in the league this season. They replaced Jon McCracken, Antonio Portales and Scott Tiffoney, who were on the bench, and the suspended Mo Sylla.

Motherwell  had the first chance but Zach Robinson's shot failed to trouble Carson. Dundee then made sure that the midfield got together more and stopped Motherwell getting many chances. 

They started to play some neat football passing the ball about well. Ryan Astley blasted high over the bar when Murray headed down from a corner. A lovely pass by Clark Robertson sent Lyall Cameron away down the left. Murray’s first touch from Cameron’s low cross was poor and Well scrambled clear.

But it paid off on 38 minutes when Cameron won the ball on the edge of the penalty area as Well tried to clear. He set up Ziyad Larkeche to cross. Murray’s diving header was blocked. The ball came back to Lyall Cameron who shot home with a fine finish.

The Steelmen made a few changes at half-time, but Dundee were in total control, Main had a shot saved and Murray put one just past the post.

Trevor Carson had to make only one save that was more than routine. Lennon Miller got plenty of power into a shot from 25 yards, but the Dee keeper beat it away confidently.

Scott Tiffoney replaced Lyall Cameron, and then Scott Fraser was substituted after receiving treatment. Antonio Portales came on as a straight replacement in central midfield.

Motherwell had a wee ten minutes spell but Dundee were in no danger on losing a goal. 

Dundee deserved the win today and it capped off a fine day at Fir Park.

Dundee: Carson (c), Astley, Koumetio, Clark Robertson, Ingram, Cameron (Tiffoney 71), Fraser (Portales 76), Fin Robertson, Larkeche, Murray (Palmer-Houlden 80), Main. Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Mulligan, Adewumi, Braybrooke, Vetro.

Referee: Euan Anderson

Att: 5,084

Kilmarnock Photos

 

Dundee 2, Kilmarnock 3, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 05-October-24

Dundee started the game with great style and they attacked the Kilmarnock goal. Scott Tiffoney, playing in the number 10 role behind the two strikers, sent Larkeche into the penalty area. The Frenchman beat his first man, but his cut back was cleared.

Curtis Main ran into the penalty area to take a lovely through ball from Billy Koumetio only for his first touch to let him down.

Larkeche picked up a loose ball and smashed a ferocious rising shot just past the post from 20 yards.

But two minutes later Dundee took the lead with a clever goal, great play between Larkeche and Cameron and Ziyad Larkeche raced into the box to score with a low drive which wemt in off the post.

It was what Dundee deserved, with Killie have a few break away which Dundee defended with ease.

The game turned on a refereeing decision after 43 minutes. Mo Sylla picked up a second yellow card in circumstances that puzzled the Dundee fans in the stands.

At half time Scott Fraser came on for the unfortunate Curtis Main to rebalance the midfield. Dundee had a few early chances which they failed to take. Kilmarnock did take control of the game as Dundee were pulled wide all the time.

Kilmarnock came close a few times and hit the post in one attack. Midway through the half Dundee replaced the hard-working Simon Murray and Scott Tiffoney with Seb Palmer-Houlden and Seun Adewumi to try and provide fresh legs that would give Killie more problems.

Dundee went 2-0 up on 81 minutes when a Palmer-Houlden knock on fell to Seun Adewumi who held off the defender to lob the ball home for a superb goal. It looked to win the games for Dundee.

But Killie pulled a goal back with 86 minutes gone, they levelled the game two minutes later. Then 4 minutes into injury time the scored the winner after Dundee failed to clear.

Dundee: McCracken. Portales, Clark Robertson, Koumetio, Ingram (Astley 88), Cameron, Sylla, Tiffoney (Adewumi 66), Larkeche, Murray (c) (Palmer-Houlden 66), Main (Fraser at half time). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Mulligan, Fin Robertson, Braybrooke, Vetro.

Referee: Grant Irvine

Att: 5,316.

A tough day for DFC fans today and thet team must defend better for the whole game, they played some good football when they had 11 players. The sending off changed the game and it looked very very poor from the referee. 

But we move on and big two games coming up v Motherwell (away) and St Johnstone at home.