Dundee entertain Alloa Ath in their first home league game of the season. Nicky Riley is out injured but Gary Irvine returns to the squad.
Manager John Brown made one change Gary Irvine coming in for Matt Lockwood. Luckily the rain had stopped and it a very nice day now for some football. Dundee started brightly with Jim McAlister making good runs and Conroy was unlucky when his effort was blocked. But as Alloa got organised by picking up McAlister Dundee struggled to break down the wasps defence who were now dangerous on the break. In fact Letheren had to look smart a couple of times to keep it at 0-0. Dundee's best chance before half-time was went Gary Irvine force their keeper to tip over from his overhead effort.
Second half and things did not get much better as the home side struggled with a lack of play down the wings. Only at corner did Dundee look like scoring. Brown made changes with Boyle and Doris coming on for Conroy and Monti. Boyle did come close to scoring but his shot was well saved by the Alloa keeper and the follow up was blocked. Jamie Reid came on for McDonald as Dundee went for the three points. Dundee did look better with this formation and as Alloa looked to run down the clock the Referee pointed to the spot after Doris was fouled. Up stepped Kevin McBride blasted the kick home to give Dundee all three points.
Very hard on a hard working Alloa team who fully deserved a point.
Dundee: letheren, Irvine, Davidson, McBride, MacDonald, Rae, Conroy, Monti, Benedictus, Gallagher, McAlister. Subs: Lockwood, Dyer, Doris, Reid, Boyle, Wighton.
Dundee started well and it was no surprise when after good play a neat knock down from Davidson to Peter McDonald and the striker curled the ball home to open the scoring. With just eight minutes on the clock it looked like it was going to be a piece of cake for the Dark Blues. But as the half progressed it was the hosts that looked more likely as they made the Dundee defence look uneasy at the back. Letheren in the Dundee goals had to make a couple of saves to keep our lead intact. But with a minute before the break Lyle levelled things when he headed home with Davidson just failing to clear his header off the line. A very bad goal to lose the defence has been all over the place with the midfield looking a bit off the pace.
Second half and things did not start well with Queens looking dangerous every time they went forward, they took the lead when the ref gave a penalty after a foul in the box and McGuffie scored with ease. Worse was to follow as it was soon 3-1 when a great break away and Russell finished well after a Lyle knock down. Minutes later and Paton made it 4-1 when he broke into the box to score with a well placed shot. In between the goals Dee keeper Letheren made a couple of decent saves.
Manager Brown sent on Dorris for Monti and Boyle for Lockwood to try and get back into the game, in a late rally Gallagher headed home from a corner and with three minutes to go Antell made a mess of a cross under pressure from Davidson to make it 4-3. Dundee tried to force a draw but time ran out.
Let's not be fooled by the result Queen of the South fully deserved to win the game and it could have been 5 or 6. The defence were all over the place and the midfield looked over loaded, and with no wingers Dundee really struggled to get into the game. Lessons must be learnt before Saturday's game against Alloa at Dens.
Dundee: Letheren, Lockwood (Boyle (66), Davidson, McBride, MacDonald, Rae, Conroy, Monti (Doris (63), Benedictus, Gallagher, McAlister. Subs Not Used: Kerr, Dyer, Reid, Wighton.
Dundee finished their Pre-Season with a 4-1 win over local side Lochee United, goals from Steve Doris(2), Craig Wighton and Martin Boyle. It was a good work out for the team.
Dundee drew 1-1 with Rangers at Dens in a first half they should have been 3-0 up with good chances being missed. They did score when Declan Gallagher headed home from a Riley corner just before the break. The second half was more even and Rangers levelled things with a well taken free kick.
Alloa Ath 0 Dundee 1, Recreation Park, Ramsden Cup, 27-July-13
Dundeee won 1-0 in a tough opening competitive game of the season, they struggled in the first half with Alloa having the better of things. Only a Conroy effort for the dark blues. Second half was much better by reports and Dundee got the winner via the penalty spot after Monti was fouled, the striker stepped up to score with a cool finish. A good win which will be a difficult place to come to in the coming season for many teams.
Gavin Rae will be Dundee's Captain for the coming season, a good choice by manager John Brown. He will captain the side when they play Alloa Ath away in the Ramsden Cup this Saturday.
Sunday 21st July 2013
Dundee drew 1-1 with St Johnstone at Dens Park, the Perth Saints took a early lead when Stevie May scored, but Dundee hit back with their first real attack when Carlo Monti scored with a cool finish. Later on New keeper Kyle Letheren saved a May penalty with his legs to keep the score level.
I have had a very busy summer so far and just catching up now...Dundee have kept most of the squad from last season and have added wisely to the squad with the signings of Carlo Monti, Steven Dorris, Thomas Carberry and Kyle Letheren.
Pre-Season results have been good so far with most of the players have had a good run out. Scores so far has been: Montrose 1 Dundee 5, Forfar 0 Dundee 1, and last night Clyde 0 Dundee 5.
St Johnstone will visit Dens this Sunday, with Alloa Ath away in the Ramsden Cup the following Saturday.
The club will play The Rangers to celebrate the 120 Years Anniversary of Dundee FC I will miss the game due to work but l do feel the game is overpriced at £15, l can't see more than 5,000 going to be honest.
From the papers in the last few days.....................
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| Kyle Letheren |
Defender Gary Irvine has also signed as the players returned for pre-season training. Carlo Monti is training with the club along with ex Kilmarnock keeper Kyle Letheren.
Ryan Conroy, Jamie Reid, Iain Davidson, Kevin McBride, and James Thomson have signed on for next season as the squad takes some shape for the season ahead.
Nicky Riley and Kyle Benedictus have signed new deals to remain at Dens next season.
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| New Strips |
Dundee will have new strips next season. I'm not too keen on the home one, but it might be better when you see it in the flesh.
Midfielder Jim McAlister has signed a new deal, l thought he was one of our better players last season. He was joined by Matt Lockwood and John Gibson in signing new deals.
Gavin Rae has signed for Dundee for a third time, he will also take up a coaching roll with the club.
Dundee have signed Striker Peter McDonald and Left-back Willie Dyer both players played for Morton last season.
Hibernian 0, Dundee 0, Easter Road, Premier League, 18-May-13
Dundee lost 1-0 in the last game of the season at a rain sodden Easter Road, From the highlights l seen the team played okay but lacked the killer touch. It was end of the season stuff and Hibs scored with 11 minutes to go with a good move and superb header which gave Steve Simonsen no chance in the Dundee goal. Earlier Ryan Conroy was unlucky with a volley which flew past the post after a superb cross from Gary Harkins.
Dundee: Simonsen, Irvine, Lockwood, Benedictus, Gallagher ( Finnigan 63), Toshney (Riley (73), McBride, Kerr (Conroy (57), Harkins, Baird, McAlister. Subs Not Used: Baird, C Kerr, Nish, Stewart.
Dundee 2 Kilmarnock 3, Dens Park, Premier League, 11-May-13
Dundee played their last home game of the season, and it ended with a 3-2 defeat from Kilmarnock who got of to a flying start scoring after only four minutes. It looked a poor goal to lose as McKenzie was allowed to run into the box with no big challenges being made. Dundee levelled when good play from Irvine and his perfect cross was swept home by Ryan Conroy.
Half time saw Rab Douglas say farewell to the Dundee Fans, the big keeper got a outstanding reception One which was well deserved and we won't likely see many more player play the amount of games for Dundee FC. 303 Games, 99 Clean Sheets and was able to pick up two winners medals with the club. All the best Rab for your future and thanks for giving so much to the club over the years.
Second half and Kilmarnock scored twice to take control of the game, although Mark Stewart pulled one back with seven minutes remaining but the Dark Blues could not force a draw.
Dundee: Simonsen, Irvine, Benedictus, Gallagher, Toshney (Thomson (75), Davidson, McBride, Conroy, Harkins (Finnigan (70), Baird (Stewart (60), McAlister, Subs Not Use: Baird, Kerr, Nish, Barrowman.
Ref: Norris
Att: 4,190
