Dundee were held to a 1-1 draw in the pre-season friendly away to Brechin City. The Dark Blues dominated the first half but could not add to Ashley Hay’s early goal and Mitch Taylor equalised for Brechin in added time at the end of the half. The Dee made seven changes at half time, but could not break down Brechin and the home side held out for a deserved draw. Dundee gave six of the youngsters a good run out against opponents who made this a very competitive friendly.
The Dark Blues kicked off and dominated possession for the first 25 minutes. A Dee goal always lookoed likely as Dundee passed the ball around neatly in midfield and probed the Brechin defence.
Fin Robertson almost punished former Dee keeper Kyle Gourlay for a misplaced pass which he intercepted, but Gourlay recovered well to tip Robertson’s lob over the bar.
The opening goal arrived in the 13th minute. Ethan Crombie sent Joe Bevan away down the right. Bevan’s cross found Ash HAY who rose to head home from close range. Hay’s jumping ability probably made the chance look easier than it was.
Four minutes later Hay went close when he pulled down a long ball and drilled a low shot across goal and narrowly wide.
Midway through the half youngster Cole Perrie, who had been showing up well, took a knock and was replaced by Aaron Donnelly.
Brechin had a dangerous few minutes in which they put Dundee under pressure, but soon the Dark Blues were back on top and setting up a succession of chances.
Gourlay pulled off a good save when Ethan Hamilton’s glancing header from Robertson’s free kick looked bound for the net. Crombie burst forward and found Bevan, who cut inside before flashing a shot just past the post from 18 yards. The Dark Blues worked a clever short corner routine that ended with Bevan’s shot being blocked.
Dundee were well on top and seemed sure to add to their lead before half time, but Brechin came back strongly in the last few minute of the half. Harry Sharp had to save smartly from fierce long range shots from Brechin trialists, and City equalised with the last kick of the half. A corner was cleared but the second ball in broke to Mitch TAYLOR whose shot from 20 yards took a deflection that left Sharp helpless.
Dundee made seven changes at half time, with only the youngsters Oosenbrugh, Crombie, Bland and first half substitute Donnelly coming out for the second half.
Charlie Reilly went close early in the half when he turned and shot quickly from 30 yards, but Gourlay was alert and saved well. The Dark Blues should have taken the lead when the Brechin defence got in a horrendous mess, but Simon Murray was taken by surprise and scuffed a weak shot at the relieved keeper.
For the most part the remainder of the second half was a non event. Dundee played some neat football but couldn’t create chances against Brechin’s hard working defence. The Dark Blues never looked in danger of losing, but they lacked the cohesion to finish off moves that started promisingly.
The youngsters all showed up well, and there were good moments from the more experienced players but the second half team as a whole couldn’t quite click. This was a good, hard, workout against opponents who were determined to give Dundee a tough challenge, but it was still very much a pre-season friendly. It’s safe to ensure that Dundee will be more effective when the competitive season starts, and the Dark Blues field a settled and more experienced team.
Brechin City 4-4-2
Gourlay (Trialist 73)
Trialist (Trialist 89), Spark, Trialist, Trialist
Taylor (Trialist at half time), Macleod (Trialist 73), Trialist (Bell at half time), Inglis (Moreland at half time)
Trialist (Trialist 80), McKay
Unused subs: Blain, Cobb.
Goal: Trialist (45+3)
Booked: none.
Dundee FC 1st half 4-4-1-1
Harrison Sharp
Charley Oosenbrugh, Cole Perrie (Aaron Donnelly 23), Ryan Astley, Idris Odutayo
Joe Bevan, Ethan Crombie, Ethan Hamilton (c), Ryan Bland
Fin Robertson
Ash Hay
Dundee FC 2nd half 4-4-1-1
Kieran O’Hara
Ashton Leiper (Rory Hughes 85), Charley Oosenbrugh, Aaron Donnelly, Drey Wright
Ryan Bland, Ethan Crombie, Ryan Finnigan, Callum Jones
Charlie Reilly
Simon Murray
Unused substitutes: Johnny Watson (gk).
Goal: Hay (13)
Booked: none.
Referee: Tayler Martin. Assistants: Joshua McCallum, Ben Stewart.
Report: James Christie.
