Dundee won through to the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy tonight with a convincing 3-0 over Cymru Premier champions The New Saints. After an evenly contested first half the Dark Blues took charge after the restart, scoring twice within the first five minutes. Cillian Sheridan headed home via TNS defender Ryan Astles and Lyall Cameron made it two from close range. Dundee were able to see the game out comfortably and Max Anderson’s goal in injury time confirmed the Dee’s superiority.
The Dark Blues made six changes from the side that started their last league game. Adam Legzdins, Cammy Kerr, Paul McGowan, Max Anderson, Lyall Cameron and Cillian Sheridan came in for Harry Sharp, Tyler French, Ryan Sweeney, Joe Grayson, Josh Mulligan and Zach Robinson.
The first 10 minutes were spent almost entirely in TNS’s half with the Dee winning five corners. Home keeper Connor Roberts had to be in good form to keep Dundee out. He spread well to save from Lyall Cameron after Paul McGowan sent the youngster through on goal.
Roberts pulled off an even better save to touch Paul McMullan’s curling effort from 18 yards round the post.
The Dark Blues were pressing energetically and effectively as The New Saints struggled to get into the game.
After surviving that difficult opening The New Saints grew in confidence and matched the Dee for the remainder of the first half.
Despite some neat approach play, however, the Welsh champions were unable to give Adam Legzdins any serious problems. Similarly Dundee were unable to turn the few promising openings they created into real danger to the home goal.
After 34 minutes the Dee lost Paul McMullan to injury and Zach Robinson was a straight replacement.
The Dark Blues started the second half in the same energetic and aggressive manner in which they opened the game, but this time they delivered the goals that settled the game.
Two minutes after the restart home keeper Roberts chased a wild back pass out to the right wing. Instead of thumping the ball down the park he tried to pick out right back Daniels. Jordan Marshall intercepted, nutmegged Daniels and flighted over a beautiful cross for Cillian SHERIDAN, whose header struck Ryan Astle’s head on its way into the net.
Three minutes later the Dee sewed the game up with a second goal. Anderson won possession in midfield and drove forward. Sheridan and Williamson quickly moved the ball on for Robinson who set up Kerr to shoot and Lyall CAMERON finished with a final touch in front of the keeper. It was hardly a spectacular goal, but the aggressive pressing, rapid movement and passing, and deft finish were a pleasure to watch.
The New Saints were shaken and fell out of the match for 20 minutes as the Dee passed the ball around looking for further goals. Cammy Kerr went closest with a looping header from Paul McGowan’s free kick.
TNS had a brief flurry in the middle of the second half after winning a corner when Lee Ashcroft blocked a flick from McManus. When the corner was cleared substitute Danny Williams struck a fierce shot from 20 yards that Adam Legzdins turned wide with a flying save. Astles was unmarked from the corner, but saw his downward header bounce against the crossbar.
After that escape the Dee took charge again and were in complete control for the remainder of the game. Dundee held onto the ball for long periods, and hounded TNS into losing possession when the home side did get the ball.
Zak Rudden replaced Cillian Sheridan and missed a great chance when Anderson quickly sent a poorly cleared corner back into the goalmouth. Rudden was in the clear a few yards out but snatched at his shot and missed by a foot.
Luke Strachan made his competitive debut when he came off the bench for the last 11 minutes. Dundee passed the ball around confidently against a beaten TNS side as the clock wound down and were rewarded with a deserved third goal in injury time.
Robinson broke clear on the right and teed up ANDERSON to steer the ball into the corner of the goal from 15 yards with a beautifully controlled shot.
Welsh clubs have performed well in this competition in recent seasons, but tonight Dundee were far too good for the team that ran away with the Cymru Premier last season.
Apart from a fleeting loss of concentration in the second half the defence was solid and gave TNS nothing to claim a welcome clean sheet.
The midfield and forwards were hard working, aggressive and creative. After 11 months out through injury it was good to see Cillian Sheridan getting 73 minutes of competitive action and deserved to be credited with the opening goal. Whenever the Dee came forward in the second half they threatened the home goal, with Paul McGowan and Lyall Cameron, the man of the match, being particularly effective.
The players face a long journey back home, but that will be an easier prospect after such a convincing away win.
The New Saints 4-3-3
Roberts
Daniels, K Davies (D Davies 55), Astles, Marriott
D Williams (Smith 71), Routledge (Wilson 83), Redmond
Brobbel, McManus, Cieslewicz (J Williams 71)
Unused subs: Atherton (gk), Clark, Baker, Kirkman, Warder.
Booked: Daniels (foul on Marshall), Astles (foul on McGhee).
Dundee FC 4-3-2-1
Legzdins
Kerr, McGhee (c), Ashcroft, Marshall (Sweeney 74)
Williamson (Robertson 83), McGowan, Anderson
McMullan (Robinson 34), Cameron (Strachan 83)
Sheridan (Rudden 74)
Unused subs: Lawlor (gk), Sharp (gk), French.
Goals: Sheridan (47), Cameron (50), Anderson (90+1).
Booked: Williamson (foul on D Williams).
Report: James Christie.
