The U20s were beaten 1-0 by Inverness Caley Thistle in the Development League. Jamie Wilson’s strike midway through the second half was enough for the Caley Jags to secure all three points. The Dee’s put out a strong starting 11 that featured the likes of James McPake, Nick Ross and Nicky Low.
The Dark Blues started brightly, and would have been ahead after four minutes of not for an excellent piece of goalkeeping by Daniel Hoban. Nick Ross flicked Ian Smith’s cross into the path of Yordi Teijsse, but the Dutchman’s low first time effort was kept out by the Caley keeper.
Hoban was called into action two minutes later, this time denying Kyle Clark. The wingback’s volley from Conor Quigley’s cross bringing another fine save out of Hoban.
Caley were beginning to grow into the game, and had their first chance after 27 minute’s courtesy of Kier Smith. The striker firing into the side netting from a tight angle.
Teijsse had another opportunity after 34 minutes, the striker did well to bring the ball down on his chest inside a crowded penalty area, but was unable to keep his effort on target. As half time approached Nick Ross picked out Michael Duffy at the back post, but the winger couldn’t generate enough power on his acrobatic volley.
With just over an hour gone, Inverness took the lead. Jamie Wilson’s initial shot was well blocked by Kerr Waddell, but the ball broke back to the winger who fired past Kyle Gourlay from just inside the penalty area.
Dundee were now searching for the equaliser and sent on Taylor Berry, Mark Smith and Connor Coupe in place of Ross, McPake and Teijsse.
Berry won a free kick on the edge of the Inverness box after 72 minutes, but Duffy’s effort went straight into the wall. As Dundee pressed and probed looking for a goal, the visitors nearly added a second. The ball broke loose to Struan McArthur inside the penalty area, but his effort was straight at Gourlay, who gathered the ball at the second time of asking.
As the game entered its closing stages, Dundee continued to press. Duffy’s effort from distance brought a save out of Hoban before Berry sent a volley from the top of the box just wide of the mark. In the last minute of the game Clark teed up Coupe, but the substitute fired over from the top of the box, as Inverness held on for all three points.
This result will be a tough one to stomach for the Dees, who become the first team that Inverness have beaten on the road in the Development League this season. One positive is the 70 minutes that James McPake got under his belt as he continues his comeback from injury. Next up for the U20s is the second “wee derby” of the season against Dundee United on Friday, which provides the perfect opportunity to bounce back from today’s defeat.
Dundee (5-2-1-2): Gourlay, Clark, Waddell, McPake (Coupe 70), Smyth, Quigley, Low, Ross (Berry 62), Duffy, I. Smith, Teijsse (M. Smith 70)
Subs Unused: Ferrie
Booked: McPake, Waddell, Low
Inverness (4-4-2): Hoban, Stark, Rennie, J. Brown, Gilchrist, MacLennan, J. Wilson, MacArthur, K. Smith (A. Wilson), Sutherland, Robertson
Subs Unused: McRitchie, Brown
Goals: J. Wilson 62’
Booked: Gilchrist
Report: Andrew Creegan
