Dundee 2
Dundee Utd 3
Scottish Cup (Semi Final)

Match Report

Cup semi-finals by reputation are nervy affairs, but perhaps the fact that this was a Dundee derby, albeit played in unfamiliar surroundings, allowed both sides to overcome any inhibitions. The Tangerines started off well but survived a hectic spell of pressure, during which Billy Thomson pulled off the first of three quality saves, before hitting back to take the lead. John Holt was the architect, dragging the ball deep into Dundee's half before releasing a perfect pass to Iain Ferguson, who teed-up the ball before sending a crashing right foot shot past a helpless Bobby Geddes. Dundee powered their way back into the game with Tommy Coyne very much involved in giving the Dark Blues an interval lead. He equalised by slotting in a cross at the far post from a narrow angle and six minutes later curled over a cross which Keith Wrlght headed in via the back of Ross Jack.

Immediately after the interval United won control of the midfield and this was to prove the deciding factor in the outcome. A highly intelligent piece of play on the right by Jim McInally and Dave Bowman opened up the way for Iain Ferguson to slot in his second goal to square the game. Shortly afterwards a free-kick by Paul Sturrock was headed in by Paul Hegarty to take us to Hampden on May 16, but not before two magnificent saves by Thomson, both from Brown free-kicks, were required before that became a fact.