Dundee drew 1-1 with Ross County in the Premier Sports Cup in Dingwall tonight. Fin Robertson gave the Dee the lead with a fine free kick after 20 minutes, but in the last 15 minutes of the first half County came back strongly, and were the better team for the rest of the match. Brian Graham headed a deserved equaliser early in the second half and County should have tied the game up before the final whistle. The Staggies won the penalty shoot-out 7-6, and deserved the bonus point which leaves them in pole position in group D.
There were three changes to the Dee’s starting eleven following last week’s win at Annan. Owen Bevan, Fin Robertson and Ash Hay came in for Aaron Donnelly, Callum Jones and Simon Murray, who were all on the bench.
Dundee started confidently, building well through the midfield and moving smoothly into attack. Drey Wright miscued his shot after a slick interchange on the left between Fin Robertson and Charlie Reilly.
Robertson forced a save at full stretch by Brad Foster after a clever turn and shot from 20 yards. In the 20th minute the Dark Blues took the lead with a superb free kick. From 30 yards ROBERTSON curled his shot over the wall and inside the post.
Over the next 10 minutes Dundee threatened to extend their lead with fast attacks, but could never find the right final ball to set up chances. The nearest came when Joe Bevan’s low cross was agonisingly out of Ash Hay’s reach in front of goal.
In the last 15 minutes of the half everything changed. County came back strongly, giving the Dark Blues a series of worrying moments. Jack Turner went down in the penalty area after getting on the end of a criss missed by the Dee defence. There were loud shouts for a spot kick but the referee was not impressed.
County were faster and more aggressive in midfield, winning the ball repeatedly, and attacking with energy down the flanks. The only chance in that spell fell to Brian Graham, who headed over.
After that promising opening half hour the Dark Blues were happy to hear the half time whistle, and perhaps a shade fortunate to be in the lead.
The second half brought no respite for the Dark Blues who were toiling throughout. County were close to equalising when Ryan Finnigan lost possession and Kieran O’Hara saved well from Ross Docherty’s powerful 18 yarder.
County’s equaliliser was delayed only for a minute. Lewis Strapp was played into space on the left and his cross was ideal for Brian GRAHAM to head home from 10 yards.
There was a disappointing lack of response from Dundee. If the game changed at all County took more heart and the Dark Blues couldn’t cope with their furious workrate and energy. The Staggies usually emerged with the ball from breakdowns, and won more 50-50s than they should have done.
Dundee tried to change the game by sending on Simon Murray and Joe Westley for Charlie Reilly and Ryan Finnigan on the hour. 10 minutes later Brad Halliday and Alan Forrest came on for Drey Wright and Joe Bevan.
The changes made no difference. The Dark Blues didn’t manage a serious effort on goal in the second half. The team played as if their boots were made of lead and were second best in terms of composure as well as energy.
James Lindsay went close with a fierce volley from 18 yards. Winger Adam Enslie almost scored twice. He jinked in from the left to shoot but O’Hara saved well for a corner. Seven minutes from full time Emslie was sent clear, but was denied by a superb save by O’Hara.
County deserved to win over the 93 minutes played, so there can be no complaints that they took the bonus point from the penalty shootout, 7-6. In the first five sets of penalties Murray, Hay, Westley and Forrest scored while Hamilton’s kick was saved. Graham, Phillips, Strapp and Docherty scored for County, and Lindsay’s penalty was saved. When it came to sudden death Robertson and Astley scored for the Dee, while Cornelius and McCarvel scored for County. Odutayo missed for the Dee and Wright finished the shoot-out by converting his penalty to give the Staggies the bonus point.
After such a promising opening 30 minutes, and a superb goal, it was disappointing to see Dundee fall out of contention. Dundee could do little right in the last hour, and were lucky to get even a single point tonight. Significant improvement will be expected, and these players can certainly do better.
Ross County 4-2-3-1
Foster
Smith, Wright, Lewis Reid, Strapp
Docherty, Turnern (Cornelius 71)
Chin (McCarvel 71), Lindsay, Emslie (Phillips 85)
Graham
Unused subs: Wade (gk), MacLeod, Williamson, MacKay, Josh Reid, Brown.
Goal: Graham (55).
Booked: Graham (tussle with Astley), Smith (foul on Hamilton), Akil Wright (foul on Hamilton), Strapp (foul on Bevan).
Dundee FC 4-2-3-1
Kieran O’Hara
Drey Wright (Brad Halliday 71), Ryan Astley, Owen Bevan, Idris Odutayo
Ryan Finnigan (Simon Murray 61), Ethan Hamilton
Joe Bevan (Alan Forrest 71), Finlay Robertson, Charlie Reilly (Joe Westley 61)
Ash Hay
Unused substitutes: Harrison Sharp (gk), Aaron Donnelly, Zan Besir, Charley Oosenbrugh, Ethan Crombie.
Goal: Robertson (20)
Booked: Odutayo (foul on Emslie), Astley (tussle with Graham).
Attendance: 1,111.
Referee: Sean Murdoch. Assistants: Colin Drummond, Kieran Turner.
Report: James Christie.
