Dundee went into today’s match against Ross County with not only hoping to move thirteen points clear of the Staggies from in the cinch Premiership play-off spot but to also to further strengthen their grip on 6th spot.
A fine, professional performance from Dundee was enough to see off troubled Ross County today at the Scott Foam Stadium.
Scott Tiffoney struck twice in each half to ensure that not only did the points stay in Dundee, but that the Dee also moved five points clear in 6th place from closest challengers Aberdeen and Hibernian who also played out a score draw against each other this afternoon.
Tony Docherty made just one change to the starting XI as Dara Costello replaced Zach Robinson who dropped to the bench. Malachi Boateng returned to the match day squad as did Curtis Main with both recovering from knocks that kept them out of last week’s victory at home to St Johnstone. John McCracken also made it to the bench in place of Harry Sharp for the first time since re-signing on loan with the club from Norwich.
Ross County made just one change from their midweek defeat away to Rangers with Eli King making way for Max Sheaf.
The first early chance fell to Simon Murray in the first few minutes. Michee Eftee’s pass found the ex-Dundee player just outside the box and despite a quick turn from the County striker, his shot was blocked and cleared.
Dundee then found themselves getting into some early positions.
Luke McCowan got past Max Sheaf and he found Cameron in space but the midfielder’s shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Minutes later, Lyall Cameron was fouled by Victor Ayina but Owen Becks inswinger failed to connect properly with a Dundee shirt in the box and the county defence was able to clear their lines.
Dara Costello then found himself picking up an early yellow card after he was adjudged to have fouled his County counterpart and because of his protests with the man in the middle, the Irishman was flashed a yellow card for his dissent.
Eamonn Brophy had an earlier run at the Dundee defence and minutes later, he was doing the same again, turning Shaughnessy twice before driving a stink at Carson which the keeper was able to deal with.
The game was fairly back and forward with no real cut chances for either team but Dundee did see a deflected shot from Cameron loop over towards the goal but it would prove to be like the others and wouldn’t trouble George Wickens in the goal.
Dundee had started to find their feet in this game with Mo Sylla proving to be the dominant player in the middle of the park – a trait he would continue the full 90 minutes for the man of the match.
The first real chance fell to Dundee on the 25th minute with a trademark Owen Beck cross was met by Jordan McGhee at the back post but his header was tipped over the bar by the County keeper.
County would then have a chance of their own when after a foul by Sylla in the middle of the Park, a County free-kick from Dhanda was cleared for a corner. The resulting corner was cleared but the ball was put in again and the ball fell to Murray but his header was saved by Carson when he should have done better.
Dundee then started to chap at the door.
A Donnelley throw in was flicked on by Shaughnessy but it was cleared only as far as Cameron who took a shot which lost its pace and went to Wicken without any problems. Then a corner from Beck was cleared only as far as Jordan McGhee but his volley was well over the bar – but the warning signs were starting to show for County.
Right on the stroke of half time, Dundee took the lead when the ball was played upfield and collected by Luke McCowan who slipped the ball into Scott Tiffoney who slotted the ball under the onrushing County goalkeeper.
It was more than a deserved goal for Dundee as the teams headed in for the break with a 1-0 lead.
County started the second half a bit more brightly than expected after losing such a late goal but for what would be a continuous theme, the Dundee rearguard stood tall and dealt with the attack.
Victor Loturi was the first County player to be cautioned when he upended Scott Tiffoney after McCowan had played through the winger.
Dundee then came close to a second goal in the 57th minute.
Cameron with the ball on the edge of the box spotted the McCowan bursting into space but Luke’s shot whizzed past the post as the Dundee fans rose off their seats, thinking it was about to nestle into the back of the net.
County were huffing and puffing but Dundee were continuing to deal with anything they were trying to throw at them with ease and rarely did it seem that the Highlanders were going to break down the Dundee defence, much to the frustration of their players.
With 25 minutes to go, Dundee wrapped up the points with Scott Tiffoney scoring his second of the game.
Dundee won the ball in the middle of the park and the ball was played into the winger and from around 25 yards out, smashed the ball into the bottom right hand side of Wickens’s goal.
Dundee then brought on Ricki Lamie for Dara Costelloe to give the defender to keep the defence airtight and also, some more minutes under his belt as he continues to regain full match fitness.
Cameron then saw a rasping shot go wide before County made changes of their own with Jay White and Jordan Henderson coming on for James Brown and Jan Dhanda.
Dundee were forced into a substitution when Owen Beck cleared the ball on the left side but he was caught by a County player and Owen Dodgson was his replacement.
This didn’t break up Dundee’s groove and as the game went onto the later stages, the whole team looked confident and calm and yet again, were able to deal with County as they tried to pull a goal back.
Bakayoko who had minutes before picked up a booking, was replaced by Zach Robinson along with Curtis Main coming on for goal hero Tiffoney.
At the same time, Don Cowie sent on Brandon Khela and Josh Sims as his team continued to search for that one opportunity to get themselves back into the match.
Simon Murray was the second Staggies player to receive a yellow card for a foul on Dodgson just outside the box and despite the Dundee player carrying on and taking the ball a few touches onward to the opposition goal, the referee decided not to play advantage and blew for a free kick – which is headed clear by the county.
There would be no real chances for either team and Dundee would see out the game with all three-points and a clean sheet – our first since December which also came against today’s opponents.
This was a great team performance from the club which never really put the victory in doubt.
County seemed more upbeat than normal with a new manager at the helm, but Dundee were the better side and even though some of the play wasn’t the nicest on the eye sometimes – which the weather might have played a part on- Dundee always looked the more likelier side that would score a goal.
This display reminded me of the Dundee at the start of the season where we were solid at the back and took our chances at the other end of the park.
McCowan and Cameron again showed their skill in the middle of the park with Shaughnessy, McGhee and Donnelley proving to be absolute pillars at the back. Carson, when called upon, was also solid but the stand put performance falls to Mo Sylla who seemed to control the whole of the midfield without breaking any sweat.
The manager and players will still say they won’t be getting carried away but with this result, the fans will now be surely looking at how high the club can finish rather than staying away from a relegation or play-off spot.
As Twist and Shout by the Beatles played over the old tannoy system at the final whistle, the jubilant home supporters drifted home ecstatic after back-to-back home wins.
Dundee FC 4-3-3
Carson
McGhee, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly, Beck (Dodgson 73)
Cameron,Sylla, McCowan
Costelloe (Lamie 68), Bakayoko (Robinson 81), Tiffoney (Main 81)
Unused substitutes: McCracken (gk), Astley, Mulligan, Robertson, Boateng
Goals: Tiffoney (45 & 65)
Attendance: 5,846.
Report: Daniel Smith
