Dundee’s injury hit squad pulled off a convincing 3-0 win at the Kilmac Stadium against Championship leaders Queen’s Park. The Dark Blues edged a close first half, but ran away with the game in a second half that delighted the Dark Blue faithful. Substitutes Ben Williamson and Alex Jakubiak each scored and skipper Ryan Sweeney rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon with the final goal.
Manager Gary Bowyer made six changes to the team that beat Dunfermline on Tuesday night. Adam Legzdins, Cammy Kerr, Jordan McGhee and Luke McCowan all returned to the starting line-up. Sam Fisher came in for his first league start of the season after returning from a loan spell at Dunfermline, and Barry Maguire made his debut in midfield. They replaced Jordan Marshall, Fin Robertson and Josh Mulligan, who all missed the game, while Harry Sharp, Max Anderson and Alex Jakubiak were on the bench. Kwame Thomas might not have been a change from the Pars game, but he was also making his league debut for the Dee.
Dundee wasted a golden opportunity to take an early lead from the penalty spot. McMullan darted into the box and was downed by Tommy Robson. McMullan took the penalty himself and sent a weak effort into the midriff of Calum Ferrie who didn’t have to move for the easiest of saves.
The Spiders’ defence had a nervous opening with two serious communication failures between Ferrie and his centre backs that resulted in scrambles. Each time Queen’s Park were relieved the confusion ended with only a corner being conceded.
Although the game was well balanced between the penalty areas Dundee were much the more dangerous team in attack.
Dundee moved the ball quickly through the midfield and regularly got men forward into space before Queen’s Park could close them down.
Barry Maguire volleyed narrowly wide from McMullan’s low corner. Luke McCowan wasn’t far off target from 20 yards. Another Maguire shot was blocked with the ball bobbling around in the six yard box, but the Dark Blues couldn’t take advantage.
Jordan McGhee’s 25 yard effort was deflected, but Ferrie saved at full stretch. Ryan Sweeney had an appeal for a second penalty when he broke forward. He seemed to be tripped, but the referee might have thought he could have stayed on his feet if he had tried harder. All the goal threat was coming from the Dee andd Sweeney threw himself at a cross by Sam Fisher to head over.
The Spiders were very much in the game, and moving forward smoothly, but without troubling the Dee rearguard. They didn’t have a shot until late in the half when Josh McPake and Grant Savoury sent efforts high over the bar from distance.
The Dark Blues should have been ahead at half time and when they passed up another great chance in the first minute of the second half many supporters would have been wondering if this would be a frustrating afternoon. McGhee had time and space to shoot from 15 yards, but hesitated then miskicked towards Kwame Thomas. The striker scuffed a close range shot straight at Ferrie, then couldn’t control the rebound and somehow the Spiders escaped.
Dundee had another shout for a possible penalty when Thomas seemed to be pushed over as he went for McMullan’s low cross in front of goal. The referee had perhaps used up his penalty quota for the day and waved play on. The Dee were grateful for the referee’s sceptical approach towards spot kicks when McPake went down under a dubious challenge from Fisher and played was allowed to rage on.
Queen’s Park had their best spell of the match in the opening stages of the second half. However, just as in the first half, their crucial failing was an inability to turn some worrying approach play into real danger. Adam Legzdins didn’t have a save to make in the game, for which his defence can take huge credit.
Fans love to moan about managers’ substitutions that don’t pay off, or the cchanges that weren’t made, but there won’t be a single fan complaining about Gary Bowyer’s decision making today.
Lyall Cameron and Luke McCowan both had lively and creative games. Neither was an obvious candidate to be replaced, but they made way for Ben Williamson and Alex Jakubiak after 62 minutes.
The change gave the Dark Blues a surge of confidence and energy, and they romped home to victory.
Five minutes after arriving Jakubiak made a great run down the left, cutting infield along the byline. He chose to shoot, optimistically, from a very difficult angle. Ferrie parried, but the loose ball flew out to WILLIAMSON who smashed an unstoppable screamer from 15 yards off the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Goal number two arrived five minutes later, courtesy of the other substitute. Great work by Fisher and Maguire stopped a Queen’s Park attempted break down their left. The turnover created space for McMullan to race away and fire over a low cross for JAKUBIAK to slide in and score at the far post.
There was only going to be one winner now. The Dee were relentless and kept hunting for more goals. Cillian Sheridan and Ryan Clampin came on for Kwame Thomas and Sam Fisher, a move that helped the Dark Blues strengthen their grip on the game. Cammy Kerr moved to right back, with Clampin operating as an adventurous left back.
McMullan flashed a shot across goal and McGhee’s far post diving header from a corner was well saved by Ferrie.
The third and final goal featured a spectacular assist from Ryan Clampin who sprinted round the outside of a startled Spiders’ defence, ran along the byline, and set up Ryan SWEENEY to prod the ball home from close range. That was certainly an eye catching way for a new lad to impress on his debut.
Dundee eased off in the last few minutes and closed the game out professionally, earning an excellent clean against a team who have been scoring freely.
The Dark Blues may have been badly hit by injuries, and able to list only five outfield substitutes, but every man dug deep to put in an excellent team performance. The starting eleven did well, and set up the game for the substitutes to come on and deliver the killer blows.
Queen’s Park looked good a long way from Adam Legzdin’s goal but the Dee defence rendered them toothless when they approached the penalty area.Β In contrast the Dark Blues were continually pouring into the Spiders’ penalty area and setting up shooting opportunities.
Paul McMullan deserves a special mention for putting his penalty miss behind him and going on to claim a deserved man of the match award.
After the brief shaky period at the start of January this impressive win puts the Dee right back into the Championship title race. There is still a long way to go, but today Dundee showed they can deliver the goods when the pressure is on.
Dundee FC 4-3-3
Legzdins
Fisher (Clampin 75), Ashcrofoft, Sweeney (c), Kerr
Maguire, Cameron (Williamson 62), McGhee
McMullan, Thomas (Sheridan 75), McCowan (Jakubiak 62)
Unused subs: Sharp (gk), Anderson.
Goals: Williamson (69), Jakubiak (74), Sweeney (82).
Booked: McCowan (foul on Thomas).
Queen’s Park 4-2-3-1
Ferrie
Davidson, Kilday, Fox, Robson
Thomson, Malachi Boateng
Thomas (Henderson 67), Savoury (Healy 85), McPake (Longridge 85)
Murray (Williamson 85)
Unused subs: Heraghty (gk), Biggar, Bannon, Jarrett, Eze.
Booked: none.
Referee: Euan Anderson. Assistants: Graeme Leslie, Ian Hart.
Attendance: 5,004.
Report: James Christie.
