Sunday, March 31, 2024

St Johnstone 1, Dundee 2, McDiarmid Park, cinch Premiership, 30-March-24

Dundee made one change to the starting team when Amadou Bakayo replaced the injured Curtis Main in attack. Dundee had the first chance in the first 30 second when Lyall Cameron ran into the penalty area and passed to Scott Tiffoney whose shot was blocked.

Dundee looking good on the ball and took the lead on six minutes when Saints goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, ran out of his penalty area, trying to beat Tiffoney to a high ball. He got there first but only headed the ball straight at Amadou Bakayoko, who tried to lob the keeper. Mitov blocked with a stong suspicion of handball. Bakayoko retrieved the ball and passed sideways to Lyall Cameron  who chipped theball home from fully 46 yards. 

Referee Iain Sneddon already had his whistle in his mouth to blow for handball against Mitov, but happily for the Dee he played a fine advantage to let Cameron score.

Dundee continuted to look good on the ball, Saints did have a shot well saved by McCracken who tipped the ball over the bar. 

Saints finished the half well but Dundee defended well and seen the half out leading 1-0.

The Dee opened the second half with a fast attacking move which ended with Bakayoko’s shot being blocked and Tiffoney flashing a shot inches past the post and into the side netting.

But saints levelled the game with a great finish from  Sidibeh, with his back to goal scored with a spectacular overhead kick from eight yards. 

Dundee immediately sent on Michael Mellon and Jordan McGhee for Scott Tiffoney and Dara Costelloe. The Dee handled the setback of Saints’ equaliser well, slowing the game down for a spell and preventing the home side building momentum.

Now both teams could have won the game Ryan Howley came on for Owen Dodgson as Dundee switched to four at the back with Aaron Donnelly moving to left back. That turned out well because Donnelly was in an advanced position to play a part in the winning goal after 80 minutes.

Donnelly was in space wide on the left and played the ball in for McCowan who pinged a low pass across the face of goal. Amadou Bakayoko stabbed a low shot home from a few yards out and sent the Dundee fans wild in the stands.

In the last few minutes Saints hit the post and then had a goal disallowed by the Referee after a foul on McCracken. It was checked by VAR as well so time ranoutfor Dundee to win the game.

It might prove to be three vital points for the race for the Top Six finish.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly, Costelloe (McGhee 61), Cameron (Lamie 87), Sylla, McCowan, Dodgson (Howley 77), Bakayoko, Tiffoney (Mellon 61). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Astley, Robinson, Robertson, Boateng.

Referee: Iain Snedden. 

Att: 6,691.

Montrose 1, Dundee 3, Links Park,

 More to follow............................

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Dundee 1, Aberdeen 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 13th March 2024

Dundee made two changes to the starting line-up when Dara Costelloe and Owen Dodgson came in to play as wing back, replacing the injured Josh Mulligan and Owen Beck.

Dundee started well and quick and Tiffoney had a shot saved by the Dons keeper. Soon after he made a good save to deny Cameron from close range. 

Main set up a great chance when he turned his man and sent a low pass across goal. Lyall Cameron connected, but somehow Roos blocked the close range shot. Roos tipped over a blistering 25 yarder from Dodgson. Cameron had an effort from 22 yards blocked and Tiffoney’s follow up was also blocked.

Aberdeen had few chancers and Dundee just lacked the killer touch to score after some great football. Cameron went really close when his shot just cleared the post by inches.

Second half and Aberdeen who were booed off by their fans at the break, would be better, but after the first tens minutes Dundee were back in gear and it looked just a matter of time before they would score.

Just after the hour McCowan crossed after taking Cameron’s short free kick. Joe Shaughnessy headed back across goal and Tiffoney shot against the post as supporters behind the goal screamed for a penalty.

A VAR review for possible handball was announced. After a lengthy delay referee Steven McLean went to inspect the VAR monitor. He returned to signal a penalty for Dundee. Jack MacKenzie was judged to have handled. Luke McCowan emphatically smacked the spot kick home. At last Dundee had the lead their play deserved.

Aberdeen did have a small period of attacks but never troubled the Dundee defence, Dundee again had efforts on goal with Cameron and Main being denied by Roos in the Aberdeen goal.

Dundee seen thhe game out and well deserved the victory over a poor looking Aberdeen side. It was great to see and next up is Rangers at Dens on Sunday.

Dundee: McCracken. Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly, Costelloe (Lamie 90+1), Cameron, Sylla, McCowan, Dodgson, Main, Tiffoney (Robertson 90+1). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), Astley, Bakayoko, Boateng, Mellon.

Referee:Steven McLean

Att: 8,215

Sunday, March 03, 2024

Dundee 2, Kilmarnock 2, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 2nd March 2024

Dundee made six changes to the team which played Celtic in midweek. Jon McCracken and Josh Mulligan came in for the injured Trevor Carson and Jordan McGhee. Aaron Donnelly, Lyall Cameron, Mo Sylla and Scott Tiffoney replaced Ricki Lamie, Malachi Boateng and Amadou Bakayoko, who were all on the bench, and the suspended Fin Robertson. Luke McCowan played at right wing back with Josh Mulligan in central midfield.

Dundee started well and Main and Mulligan had efforts at goal, Dundee looked good and took the lead on 11 minutes when Main headed the ball in front of Scott Tiffoney who's effort hit the post then hit the keeper and ended in the net to give the dee the lead.

After that Killie came into the game but Dundee were able to deal with any shots they had. But as half time was looming Killie levelled the game with a goal Defence could have done better.

The two big moments in the first quarter of an hour of the second half both went Dundee’s way, thanks to poor decisions by Kilmarnock players. Killie should have scored when they broke away from a Dee free kick. Three Kilmarnock players ran clear with only McCracken to beat. Instead of setting up a teammate for an open goal Watkins chose to shoot and McCracken saved with his feet.

On 60 minutes Dundee went 2-1 when Tiffoney was fouled in the box, the Referee point to the spot and red card for the killie player. After the VAR check both decisions stood. Up stepped Luke McCowan to blast the ball home.

The next 25 minutes both teams had chances Dundee hit the ball and both teams put on Subs to chase the game. Dundee were defending well enough but seemed weak in midfield.

In injury time Killie scored from a corner to make the final score 2-2. The third time this season it has ended 2-2 in the league games. Dundee played well enough but not strong enough in midfield and they payed the penalty.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly, McCowan, Mulligan, Sylla, Cameron (Dodgson 55), Beck, Main (Bakayoko 74), Tiffoney (74). Unused subs: Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), Astley, Lamie, Boateng, Costelloe.

Referee: Colin Steven

Att: 5,588

Celtic 7, Dundee 1, Parkhead, cinch Premiership, 28th February-24

Dundee went down 7-1 at Parkhead , Dundee struggled in the first half and the game was finished early doors and the half-time score was 6-0. Jordan McGhee had a shot at goal which went just wide when it was 0-0. 

Another second half goal made it 7-0. In the last 10 minutes or so Curtis Main scored but ruled out by VAR. They soon scored after when Michael Mellon scored with a nice finish just inside the box. 

Midfielder Finlay Robertson got sent off for two yellow cards. 

At least Dundee kept going but not our day to get anything points wise. We have to take positives from the game as we play Kilmarnock at Dens on Saturday. 

Dundee: Carson, McGhee (Mulligan at half time), Portales, Shaughnessy (c) (Donnelly at half time), Lamie, Beck, Robertson, Boateng (Sylla at half time), McCowan, Bakayoko (Cameron 64), Main (Mellon 64). Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Dodgson, Astley, Tiffoney.

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

Att: 58,772

A small report done as not much else to say about the result. Dundee will just have to move on from this with the next game at Dens this Saturday when we play Kilmarnock.