Dundee qualified for the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup with a hard fought 3-1 home win over Annan Athletic in the unfamiliar surroundings of Brechin City’s Glebe Park. Simon Murray put the Dee ahead late in the first half only for Tommy Goss to grab a quick equaliser before half time. Annan were tough, well organised opponents and gave the Dark Blues a few scares in the second half before Murray and substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden settled the game with late goals. It wasn’t the smoothest of performances by the Dee, but they kept going and found a way to earn a deserved win.
There was one change to the Dundee starting eleven following last week’s win at Arbroath. Simon Murray came in for his first start as a permanent Dee. Scott Tiffoney moved to the bench.
From the start Annan looked like they would provide tougher opposition than the Dark Blues have faced so far this season in Premier Sports Cup. They played neat and composed football and had a couple of promising early attacks.
Nevertheless Dundee had the better of the early exchanges. Curtis Main and Simon Murray combined well with each other and also with the attacking midfielders, Luke McCowan and Lyall Cameron. The Dark Blues repeatedly worked their way into promising positions without being able to end moves with shots that troubled Jamie Smith in Annan’s goal. Annan had fewer attacks but were also able to mount good moves without having any worrying attempts on goal.
After a quiet opening quarter of an hour the Dee stepped up a gear and began to exert serious pressure on Annan. Main missed a great chance, shooting over the bar after Murray and Cameron had opened up Annan’s defence. Ryan Astley headed against the underside of the bar from Fin Robertson’s corner. Murray shot across goal and wide after Cameron drove into the penalty area.
Next Murray played in Cameron only for Smith to save well from close range. From another Robertson corner Main had a header cleared off the line and Astley’s follow up was superbly saved by Smith. A flick by Murray set up Robertson to shoot but his effort from 15 yards was touched onto the post by the keeper and Main’s shot was blocked for a corner.
Finally, after 34 minutes the Dee broke the deadlock. Following a corner McCowan’s second ball found Simon MURRAY who scored with a looping header from 10 yards.
Dundee were in full control and Annan were in danger of slipping out of the game. Five minutes from half time the match changed dramatically. The impressive youngster Malik Zaid worked a neat one-two to run clear on goal from the left. Jon McCracken saved his low shot but was helpless when Tommy GOSS followed up to score.
Annan took heart from the goal and were the better side early in the second half. A neat passing move through the middle sent Zaid clear but he shot against the post. That was a massive escape for the Dee.
Dundee responded quickly and Main turned Murray’s low cross into the net but the goal was disallowed for offside, to the surprise and fury of both Dee strikers.
The Dark Blues had most of the possession and pressure but Annan were always dangerous on the break. They remained organised in defence and their fast passing in attack gave Dundee real problems.
Midway through the second half Dundee made three substitutions, sending on Luke Graham, Scott Tiffoney and Seb Palmer-Houlden to replace Fin Robertson, Ryan Astley and Curtis Main. They switched to four at the back with Graham and Ingram as advanced full backs and Tiffoney attacking from the left wing.
The changes gave Dark Blues fresh impetus and energy and they cranked up the pressure on Annan. Murray muscled his way into a chance but the keeper saved with his feet. Murray never stopped working for the team and he whipped over a fine cross from the left only for Palmer-Houlden’s flying header to come crashing back off the post. Dundee kept attacking in waves and Cameron then Palmer-Houlden both shot over the bar after good moves.
With the possibility of penalties looming the Dark Blues broke through after 85 minutes. Mo Sylla dribbled into space on the left and sent over a low cross for Simon MURRAY to shoot low into the corner from eight yards.
Annan pushed forward to try and save the game and were punished when the Dark Blues broke away to kill off the game in the 90th minute. McCowan was free on the left to cross for Seb PALMER-HOULDEN to send a powerful header against the bar before tapping home the rebound.
Simon Murray almost completed his hat-trick in injury time. McCowan crossed from the right and Murray’s header produced yet another fine save by Jamie Smith.
This was a hard game on a difficult pitch that didn’t really suit the Dee. Annan were tough opponents who shaped up very well and deserve great credit for the quality of their football and the way they dug themselves back into contention. The roar that went up from the Dark Blue support when Simon Murray scored his second was out of relief as much as joy.
Dundee were not as slick and free flowing as they were in the previous league cup games but they ensured they got the win that means they qualify for the last 16. Even when things were not working out the players kept grafting, trying to force something and they gradually got their game together and created the chances to win. These chances were converted by strikers, and it was particularly pleasing to see Simon Murray and Seb Palmer-Houlden score deserved goals.
Dundee FC 3-1-4-2
McCracken
Astley (Graham 66), McGhee, Portales
Sylla
Ingram (Mulligan 86), McCowan (c), Cameron, Fin Robertson (Tiffoney 86)
Main (Palmer-Houlden 66), Murray
Unused substitutes: Carson (gk), Sharp (gk), Richardson, Lochhead.
Goals: Murray (34, 85), Palmer-Houlden (90).
Booked: Murray.
Annan Athletic 4-2-3-1
Jamie Smith
Gibson (Ryan Muir 75), Tommy Muir, Kilsby, Quitongo (Stevenson 87)
Paul Smith, Dixon (Aidan Smith at half time)
Todd, McGowan, Zaid (Quigg 82)
Goss
Unused substitutes: Fleming (gk), Fleming.
Goal: Goss (40).
Booked: McGowan, Paul Smith , Tommy Muir.
Referee: Iain Snedden. Assistants: Daniel McFarlane, Elliott Husband Powton.
Attendance: 888.
Report: James Christie.
