Dundee 1
Dundee Utd 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

Dundee United travelled across the road today looking to earn bragging rights from the second Dundee derby of the season. The atmosphere inside Dens had all the characteristics of a derby match after a week of apathy amongst the fans. United lined up with Jarvie in goal and Wilson, Innes, Ritchie and Archibald across the back. The midfield saw Robson, McInnes, Brebner and Kerkar man the battleground and up front Samuel partnered Scotland. On the bench were Hirschfield, McCracken, McIntyre, Duff, Grady, Robertson and Cameron.

The first half was all United, with Dundee failing to hold on to the ball at any time for more than five seconds. United looked dangerous, especially with Scotland who missed a glorious chance in the 4th minute when Robson’s cross from the right saw him unmarked 7 yards out but, to the dismay of the tangerine army behind the Dundee goal, he headed wide. United continued to make all the running and Samuel was next to almost snatch the lead when a goalmouth scene ensued after his effort had been blocked. United also went close with a Wilson effort and Robson had an effort blocked by Sancho. Archibald was another whose goal bound effort was stopped by the big Trinidadian. After a first half in which total control is not too strong a phrase to use, Ian McCall would have been unhappy that the team hadn’t gone in ahead.

United started the second half with an unchanged first eleven. Dundee had the best of the early second half efforts and Lovell went close on a few occasions before the game turned on its head with the sending-off of Innes for a professional foul on Lovell. Within a few minutes United were reduced to nine men when Wilson was adjudged to have handled a through ball. It had appeared that the ball had been headered clear but on the advice of the Assistant, Referee Freeland dismissed Wilson. This effectively cost United any chance of winning the game, but the 9 men battled the game fully until the 86th minute when a Sutton header squirmed over the line through the legs of Jarvie. In the 89th minute a mix-up in the Dundee defence almost gifted United an equaliser but Soutar saved Sancho’s knockback at full stretch. In the first minute of injury time Duff’s cross was clutched off the head of McCracken by Soutar. In the final minute the ball landed at the feet of Archibald 20 yards out and his drive sailed over the bar.