The U20s drew 1-1 against Kilmarnock in the penultimate game of the Development League season. Following their 2-1 win against Inverness on Tuesday, the Dees got off to the perfect start when Max Anderson found the net after 90 seconds. It looked like the Dees were set to pick up their second win of the week, until Jack Paterson found the net with a fine solo effort in the 89th minute, ensuring that the points would be shared.
The Dees only had three players over the age of 16 in the squad, and it was one of the millennials that opened the scoring. Following a Killie corner, Mark Smith led the counter attack, sending in a low cross from the left wing that was turned in from close range by Max Anderson.
Killie were seeing lots of the ball, but it was Dundee that went closest to scoring the second goal. Ian Smith’s cross was met by Marton Hornyik, but the young defender’s effort bounced wide of the post.
The visitors best chance came after 28 minutes. Scott McLean’s cut back was met by Ewan McLevy, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Dundee made two half time changes, as Mark Smith and Anderson were replaced by Taylor Berry and Matty Henvey. McLean managed to win the ball on the edge of the Dundee box seconds after the restart, but fired wide.
Finlay Robertson nearly extended Dundee’s lead after 51 minutes. The midfielder intercepted a loose ball on the edge of the Killie box, and despite losing his footing as he rounded goalkeeper Devlin MacKay, managed to get a shot away, but the ball came back off the post.
Sam Dryden went close minutes later as he volleyed Lyall Cameron’s pass just wide of the post. Jack Paterson’s fierce drive was well held by Calum Ferrie. Dundee did have the ball in the net after 64 minutes, but Henvey was judged to be offside.
Henvey cut the ball back for Robertson after 74 minutes, and again the midfielder lost his footing, but still managed to set up Berry, who drilled his shot wide from the top of the box.
With eight minutes remaining, Dundee had a golden chance to secure the three points. Ian Smith raced away from the Killie defence before being taken down by MacKay. The officials took a moment before awarding the free kick, and then showed MacKay a yellow card.
Ian Smith took the resulting free kick, but his low effort was easily saved by the Killie keeper. With 89 minutes played, Killie got their equaliser. Paterson drove infield from the left wing and curled the ball past Ferrie from inside the box.
Killie nearly won the game in injury time, as Hornyik’s clearance bounced off Callum Moore, and landed on the roof of the net. The resulting corner saw the Killie players appeal for hand ball, but the referee blew the final whistle as the Dees cleared the ball.
In Inverness, a late goal secured all three points for the Dees, and tonight, a late goal denied them all three points. However, this result should ensure that the young Dees don’t finish the season bottom of the league.
As for the performances tonight, there were several standouts at both ends of the pitch. In defence, Reigan Thomson and Marton Hornyik excelled despite the absence of regulars Kerr Waddell and Matty Smyth. In midfield, Callum Moore ran the show, looking dangerous whenever he went forward, and was always strong in the tackle. Alongside him, Finlay Robertson put in another excellent showing, and nearly capped an excellent performance with a goal. Up front both Ian and Mark Smith linked well, while Matty Henvey caused plenty of problems with his running in behind. The Dees finish their season against Aberdeen on Tuesday, and a similar performance to today should see them end the season on a high.
Dundee (4-2-3-1): Ferrie, Dryden, Thomson, Hornyik, Rice, Moore, Robertson, Cameron (Mulligan 59), Anderson (Berry 45), I. Smith, M. Smith (Henvey 45)
Subs Unused: C. Allan
Goal: Anderson 2’
Kilmarnock (4-3-3): MacKay, Barr (McCracken 72), Brindley (Campbell 69), Lidington, Dempsie, T. Queen, McLevy, Paterson, McLean (JP Queen 55), Walker, McDonald
Subs Unused: Lyle
Goal: Paterson 89’
Report: Andrew Creegan
