Dundee rounded off a satisfactory week with a second 3-0 win at the Kilmac Stadium. Today Queen’s Park were dealt with thanks to two first half goals from Zach Robinson and a third goal after the break from substitute Zak Rudden. Robinson’s first goal was a straightforward penalty, but his second on the stroke of half time was a a sensational strike from 30 yards.
The only change to the Dark Blues’ line-up was Jordan McGhee taking the place of the suspended Ryan Sweeney, and also taking the captain’s armband.
Queen’s Park had a lively start and did more of the attacking in the first 10 minutes. Simon Murray had a shot blocked for a corner after Jack Thomson got round Cammy Kerr on the byline. Murray had another shot deflected for a corner as Queens continued to push for an opening goal.
The Dark Blues worked their way into the game and play started to flow increasingly towards the Spiders’ goal. Ex-Dee Calum Ferrie raced from his goal to block at the feet of Zach Robinson as the Dee striker ran onto a through ball.
Queens’ defender Stephen Eze had to make an unorthodox clearance over his own bar to keep out Josh Mulligan’s shot after Cammy Kerr nodded the ball on.
Lyall Cameron was having an effective game playing clever, penetrating passes as he operated in the space behind Zack Robinson the solo striker. Cameron had a go himself after pouncing on a loose ball but Calum Ferrie saved the angled shot.
Midway through the half Dundee took the lead from a penalty after Robinson ran clear onto a clever long pass from the right wing by Josh Mulligan. Eze bundled him over clumsily before he could shoot and received a yellow card.The referee did not point to the spot and confused the crowd with his low key reaction. Many people assumed that the yellow card was for Robinson who was alongside Eze. Only when the ball was placed on the spot did everyone realise that a penalty had been awarded. When the confusion was cleared up ROBINSON scored with a well taken penalty for the second time this week.
The Dark Blues now settled into a spell of aggressive attacking football. Eze headed a fizzing cross narrowly past his own post after Cameron played a lovely pass inside the full back for French.
Although Dundee were creating more danger Queen’s Park had a couple of opportunities before the break. Lee Kilday sent a header from a free kick straight at Harry Sharp, and Jake Davidson dragged a shot across goal and wide after a cross broke to him.
A minute before half time Zach Robinson brought the house down with a stunning second goal. Older Dees still talk about that Bobby Glennie goal against Aberdeen almost 40 years ago. Decades from now supporters will also be recalling this one.
ROBINSON picked the ball up in space and from 30 yards smashed a superb shot into Ferrie’s top right corner. Just watch it and enjoy!
The Spiders had a dangerous spell at the opening of the second half, but it took them a while to bring Sharp into the game. When Queens did force him into action the young keeper excelled himself. He made a great save from Murray, and managed to reach the follow up when the striker couldn’t connect cleanly with the rebound.
Just before the hour Dundee made a triple substitution. Paul McGowan, Niall McGinn and Zak Rudden came on for Lyall Cameron, Paul McMullan and Zach Robinson, who all received warm applause as they left the field.
The change freshened up Dundee’s attacking and the Dee once more began to create good chances in an open and entertaining game.
Rudden and McGinn worked a neat exchange of passes before Rudden’s shot was deflected past the post.
Queen’s Park escaped a pinball session in their own goalmouth during which Ferrie made an outstanding save from a Mulligan header and Rudden’s shot flashed into the side netting after a frantic scramble.
Only a minute later the Dark Blues put the result beyond doubt after another hectic stramash in the Spiders’ goalmouth. This time RUDDEN forced the ball home.
The match was now beyond Queens but they had a go in the later stages. Murray send a 20 yarder narrowly over and Sharp had to save well from Dominic Thomas’s fierce cross-shot.
Late in the match Zsk Rudden was carried off after being flattened by a crude challenge by Eze. Fin Robertson came on to play wide right with Mulligan taking over as the striker.
The game finished with the Dee on top and hunting a fourth goal. Mulligan’s shot took a deflection and flew the wrong side of the post with Ferrie stranded. Robertson’s was a foot too high from 16 yards after a clever short corner from Joe Grayson to Niall McGinn.
The man of the match was predictably announced as Zach Robinson, to the approval of the fans. It will take a truly special goal to beat that one for the goal of the season.
After last week’s disappointment at Ayr the Dark Blues have got their season back on track this week. Successive 3-0 wins have given the supporters goals, entertainment, and two valuable clean sheets.
Queen’s Park are a good side, and if they had scored at the wrong time the game would have been much more difficult. However, the defence handled them well, and Harry Sharp was in fine form when he was needed.
There was plenty of skill, imagination, energy and movement in midfield and attack. Dundee created plenty of danger and chances, and took enough of them to claim the win the Dee deserved. The game would have been enjoyable even without Zach Robinson’s second goal, but that strike will ensure that today lives long in our memories.
Dundee FC 4-2-3-1
Sharp
French, McGhee (c), Ashcroft, Kerr
Williamson (Anderson 78), Grayson
McMullan (McGinn 59), Cameron (McGowan 59), Mulligan
Robinson (Rudden 59 (Robertson 85))
Unused subs: Legzdins (gk), Strachan.
Goals: Robinson (27 pen, 44), Rudden (70).
Booked: French (foul on Williamson), McGinn (foul on Akrobor-Boateng).
Queens Park 4-4-2
Ferie
Davidson, Eze, Kilday, Robson
Savoury (McPake 85), Thompson (Brown 72), Boateng (Akrobor-Boateng 61), Thomas
Williamson (Kenny 72), Murray
Unused subs: Heraghty (gk), Naismith, Longridge, Moore, Bannon.
Booked: Eze (foul on Robinson).
Attendance: 4,176 (147 away).
Referee: Grant Irvine. Assistants: Paul McAvinue, Barry Reid.
Report: James Christie.
