The rampant Dark Blues thrashed Annan Athletic 5-0 in the Premier Sports Cup tonight at Galabank. The first half was a tough fight for Dundee who could not break down a resolute Annan defence. In the second half a blistering attacking display by the Dee blew Annan away. Charlie Reilly scored twice in quick succession. Joe Bevan ran from his own half to score number three. The fourth and fifth goals came from Simon Murray and Ashley Hay.
There were three changes to the team that started Saturday’s win over Brechin. Kieran O’Hara came in for Harry Sharp in goal, Aaron Donnelly replaced Owen Bevan in central defence and Simon Murray started in the place of Ashley Hay in attack.
Dundee had an early chance when Callum Jones headed over after good work by Joe Bevan down the right. After that the Dark Blues found it hard to break down Annan’s defence. Dundee dominated possession but couldn’t turn promising moves into chances.
Annan were organised and hard working. Although they were mostly on the defensive they occasionally broke away and gave the Dark Blues a few uncomfortable moments as the ball pinged around in the Dee penalty area.
Midway through the half Drey Wright stretched to cut out a dangerous cross only about six yards out and turned it back towards his own goal. Fortunately it went straight to Kieran O’Hara.
Dundee tried repeatedly but with little success to play their way through Annan’s defence. For most of the first half Dundee were restricted to optimistic shots from distance that were either blocked or flew over the bar.
Aaron Donnelly got on the end of a corner from Charlie Reilly but headed high and wide. Donnelly then set up the best chance of the half when he stepped forward to whip in a fine, fast early cross, but Simon Murray headed wide from eight yards.
The first half was a frustrating watch, but everything changed when the second half started. From the off Dundee played with more intensity and pace. Annan simply couldn’t handle the Dark Blues playing like this. Shortly after the restart Joe Bevan opened up the defence with a skillful run and Ryan Finnigan cracked a rising drive against the crossbar from 18 yards.
The pressure on Annan’s defence was relentless and it was no surprise when Dundee took the lead in the 55th minute, though the manner of the goal was startling. Bevan found Charlie Reilly wide on the right near the byline. Instead of crossing REILLY smashed a ferocious shot home from an angle that seemed impossible.
Reilly almost scored again four minutes later, but his shot was pushed onto the post by keeper Charlie Albinson.
Reilly’s second goal was delayed only a minute. Bevan played the ball across goal for REILLY to take a touch and send a fierce shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Six minutes later the Dark Blues scored again. Annan were attacking but Dundee broke at lightning pace. Reilly sent BEVAN racing past the last defenders from the half way line and he rounded the keeper and score.
In the 74th minute number four arrived after Jones found Simon Murray wide on the right. MURRAY looked up and sent over a strong cross that caught out the keeper and flew into the net. A cross? Surely it was, though the Dee captain might argue the point.
Dundee were rampant now and didn’t lose any of their intensity even when the substitutions started. Joe Westley, Zan Besir, Ash Hay, Ryan Bland and Charley Oosenbrugh came on as the Dark Blues continued the hunt for more goals.
The fifth goal came 10 minutes from full time. Murray’s pass sent Ash HAY racing in on goal, skinning the last defender and finishing with a cool chip over the keeper.
Annan managed to hang on without conceding any more goals. Westley almost made it six when he cut inside to shoot, but fired narrowly over.
This was an excellent Dundee performance in which they learned the lessons from a difficult first half and played in a style that destroyed Annan in the second half. Reilly and Bevan were quiet in the fist half but were on fire after the restart. The second half gave us a fine team performance in which the defence stepped forward to join the midfield in supporting the attackers and giving them the opportunity to tear Annan apart.
Some Premiership clubs might have had an embarrassing evening. The Dark Blues ensured it wasn’t going to be them and dealt with Annan extremely professionally tonight.
Annan Athletic 4-3-3
Albinson
Hooper, Muirhead, Watson, Clark
Dixon (Martins 77), Maxwell (McDermott 69), Paul Smith
Cooper, Muir (McKnight at half time), Aidan Smith
Unused subs: Trialist (gk), Connolly, Roy, Bryson.
Booked: none.
Dundee FC 4-4-1-1
Kieran O’Hara
Drey Wright, Ryan Astley, Aaron Donnelly, Idris Odutayo (Charley Oosenbrugh 70)
Joe Bevan (Zan Besir 70), Ryan Finnigan (Joe Westley 60), Ethan Hamilton ((Ryan Bland 77) Callum Jones
Charlie Reilly (Ash Hay 70)
Simon Murray (c)
Unused substitutes: Harrison Sharp (gk), Owen Bevan, Ethan Crombie.
Goals: Reilly (55, 62), Bevan (68), Murray (73), Hay (80).
Booked: none.
Attendance: 451.
Referee: Colin Steven. Assistants: Michael McDermid, Kai Newell.
Report: James Christie.
