Dundee’s first competitive match under new manager Gary Bowyer ended with a highly satisfactory 3-0 win in the Premier Sports Cup at the Kilmac Stadium against fellow Championship club Hamilton Accies. Niall McGinn put the Dee ahead midway through the first half. Alex Jakubiak came on at half time and had been on the park for only three minutes when he scored from the penalty spot. Hamilton’s Brian Easton was sent off late in the game, but Accies were a beaten side by then. Lyall Cameron also came off the bench to score the third goal in injury time.
The trialists used at Montrose were not eligible to play in the League Cup and Fin Robertson was injured on Tuesday night. The Dark Blues went with a youthful team, including five products of the youth system in the starting eleven and a further five on the bench.
The opening stages did little to disturb any fans snoozing in the warmth of a Dundee summer. Both teams were guilty of giving the ball away carelessly. The Dark Blues had some pleasing flashes of play, but always failed to find a Dee in the right place with the final ball. Neither keeper was given anything to worry about in the first 20 minutes.
Niall McGinn had Dundee’s first serious shot after 16 minutes when he scooped his effort from 18 yards over the bar after Hamilton lost the ball to Jordan Marshall when they tried to come out from the back.
The Dark Blues dialled up the quality to score a highly impressive opener after 25 minutes. Josh Mulligan raced through two tackles from the half way line and sent Niall McGINN into the penalty area to score with an exquisitely precise shot across keeper Ryan Fulton and into the net off the far post.
Once they were a goal to the good the Dee settled into a groove and threatened to extend their lead. Zak Rudden spun on a pass from Marshall but Fulton saved his shot from 12 yards.
At the end of the half Rudden had the ball in the net after being set up by a lovely touch from Mulligan, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations.
19 year old Jack Wilkie came on to play left back at half time in the place of Jordan Marsall. Rudden and Max Anderson were also withdrawn with Alex Jakubiak and Paul McGowan being sent into the action. These two both had an immediate impact.
The Accies defence got into a fankle allowing McGinn to collect the ball and hit a low drive into the goalmouth. Jakubiak’s close range flick was blocked by Fulton. In a continuation of the same attack McGowan collected the ball outside the penalty and drove into the box. Shaun Want took him down for a clear penalty and JAKUBIAK slammed home the spot kick.
Hamilton had plenty of possession in the second half but used it poorly compared to the Dark Blues. When Accies did manage to get through to shoot it was never from a good position and Harry Sharp dealt confidently with everything thrown at him.
Mulligan’s pace, strength and skill attacking from midfield were a constant threat to Accies. Fulton pulled off a great save to deny the Dee teenager after a lovely turn on the penalty spot.
Just after the hour mark Luke McCowan came on for McGinn. Hamilton continued to do little with all their possession and Dundee were always creating the greater danger. Lyall Cameron also replaced Paul McMullan and his youthful energy and skill gave Hamilton fresh problems. Jakubiak led the line to good effect, linking well and making things happen with his energy and skill.
On 80 minutes Cameron chased a long pass into space on the left and quickly passed infield for the charging Mulligan who took the ball past the last man, Brian Easton, before being decked by the late challenge. Mulligan tried to keep going, but lost the ball. Referee Gavin Duncan applied the law precisely, if rather harshly, and produced the red card for Easton who seemed to have made an honest challenge only to be caught out by Mulligan’s speed.
Mulligan’s maintained his excellent performance to the end, and set up a great chance for the third goal with a beautiful turn and pass to send Cameron clear, only for Fulton to save well.
Sharp was called into action one last time, preserving his clean sheet with a good save from substitute Lewis Smith.
In injury time McGowan received the ball from a throw near the corner flag on the right and dug out a cross for CAMERON to score his first competitive goal for the Dee, taking a touch and smashing number three past Fulton.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable win in the sun. The young players all did well, and it was good to see the young defence keep a clean sheet. In the second half Cammy Kerr was the oldest, and by far the most experienced, player in defence.
The only criticisms might be that Dundee often failed to turn promising positions into real chances, and there was also some carelessness in losing possession that would have been punished by better opponents than the toothless Accies. However, there were plenty of positives today as the Dark Blues set themselves up well in group H of the Premier Sports Cup and the new boss will be pleased with what he saw.
Dundee FC 4-1-4-1
Sharp
Kerr, Sweeney (c), Fisher, Marshall (Wilkie at half time)
Byrne
McMullan (Cameron 72), Mulligan, Anderson (McGowan at half time), McGinn (McCowan 61)
Rudden
Unused subs: Lawlor (gk), Strachan, Graham, Lamb.
Goals: McGinn (25), Jaukbiak (48 pen), Cameron (90+1).
Booked: McCowan (foul on O’Reilly).
Hamilton Academical 3-4-2-1
Fulton
Want, Easton (c), O’Reilly (OnΓ©)
Doyle, Spence (Ngandu 53), Lawson, Shiels
Martin
Winter (Lewis Smith 53), Ryan
Unused subs: Jamie Smith (gk), Brown, Minmaugh, Owens, McGinn.
Booked: O’Reilly (foul on McMullan).
Sent off: Easton (foul on Mulligan).
Attendance: 1,760 (128 away supporters)
Referee: Gavin Duncan. Assistants: Dougie Potter, Gordon McCabe.
Report: James Christie.
