Dundee 1
Dundee Utd 2
League (SPL)

Match Report

The four thousand or so Arabs in attendance were in party mood prior to kick-off, with beach balls the order of the day, in what was an absolute crunch Dundee derby. It was the United support who were really up for this one, not just due to the importance of securing the points but also the small fact that it was just over three years since they had last tasted derby victory. There were no changes in the United line-up, with boss Gordon Chisholm continuing to keep faith with the same group of players responsible for the recent upturn in form. Dundee fielded Fabian Caballero in place of the injured Brent Sancho, whilst youngster Callum McDonald was drafted into central defence as a result of a few selection problems for Dens boss Jim Duffy.

It was a nervy opening period for all, and no real chance of note occurred until Mark Wilson crashed a free kick onto the top of the bar in seventeen minutes. United finished the first half strongly and Mark Wilson found a bit of space on the right side of the area, however his well hit volley was deflected for a corner. Robson then skinned Dundee left back Kitamirike before sending in an inviting ball which was blocked just before Jim McIntyre could shoot. Then on the stroke of half time there were appeals for a United penalty as Garry Kenneth tumbled in the box. No award was given as Robson finished the move by shooting over. Referee McDonald then returned to Kenneth to award a yellow card which could only have been for diving – this appeared a little harsh on the youngster.

Shooting towards their mass of fans in the Bill Shankly stand, United looked in determined mood right from the start of the second period. United didn’t have long to wait to open the scoring after Kitamirike fouled on the angle of the box after Robson had been played in by Grant Brebner. Although on an angle, Mark Wilson opted for goal and stunned the Dundee defence by curling the ball low into the far corner. The Terrors were made to pay on sixty-five minutes when Steve Lovell, who appeared to know little about the challenge, won a penalty after contact was made in the box by Kenneth. Dundee’s Steve Lovell calmly slotted the kick low into the right corner to level the scores. There was euphoria in the United end again four minutes later as the lead was deservedly restored. After great persistence on the right by ‘super sub’ Jason Scotland, the ball found Jim McIntyre unmarked at the back post, and the Tangerines’ top scorer swivelled well to net what turned out to be the glory winner. One last chance fell to Dundee in injury time however Bullock was able to make an easy save as Lovell steered the ball towards goal. The whistle sounded and derby victory was secured!