Dundee 0
Dundee Utd 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

A Derby fixture is crucial irrespective of League position but ths one carried even greater importance for us, as a victory would throw us a life-line towards fifth spot currently occupied by Dundee. The dark blues opened forcefully and had the ball in the net after only four minutes, but foot up by Graeme Harvey on BilIy Thomson cancelled out the score. Eamonn Bannon and Ian Redford both back in the ranks after long absences made an early impact. Eamonn had a shot blocked and lain hit a first time effort. Eamonn then swung over a cross but Kevin Gallacher's diving header was straight at Geddes in the 13th minute. Nine minutes later we took the lead. Dave Bowman sent Kevin Gallacher scampering up the right. He carried the ball to the bye-line before putting in an early cross which Mixu Paatelainen, 12 yards out, swept past Geddes, who was completely wrong footed. Towards the interval Dundee came more into the game most notably when Wright headed fractionally over and when BilIy Thomson tipped a fiercely driven Forsyth 25 yarder over the bar.

After the re-start it was our turn to put on the pressure. In the 47th minute Hamish French, clean through, saw Geddes block his shot with his legs. Four minutes later Kevin Gallacher's cut back was dummied by Jim McInally and the ball fell to Eamonn Bannon, who cutely chipped the ball over Geddes outstretched arm into the top right hand corner. From then on it was almost all United. Kevin Gallacher hit a raging shot from 25 yards which must have shaved the post. Hamish French put through by Mixu saw his chip strike the top of the bar and Kevin Gallacher was next to hit the wood-work with a shot from outside the box. Overall this was one of the most pleasing displays of the season and not just because it meant another derby success.