Dundee’s development squad earned a 3-2 win in the opening match of their pre-season preparations at The Haughs against hosts Turriff United.
The Highland League side’s park was in excellent condition and both sides played some nice passing football in an entertaining encounter which saw Dundee twice come from behind.
New boys Sam Dryden and Jesse Curran were in the Dundee starting XI and both showed that they can be useful additions to the squad, Dryden bombed forward from right back and Curran showing some lovely touches and passing alongside Calvin Colquhoun in central midfield.
There were chances at both ends in the first half, with Dundee’s trialist striker making Kevin Main in the home goal work and Curran coming close with a dipping free kick, but Kyle Gourlay was the busier of the two keepers, pulling off spectacular saves on four occasions to deny the Highland League side.
He was beaten in the 37th minute though as Andy MacAskill’s effort crashed off the underside of the bar, there was a slight delay before the referee determined it had crossed the line but eventually the goal was given.
The Dee were level just a couple of minutes before the break after some neat interplay between Calvin Colquhoun, John Black and the trialist striker which ended with the latter firing a powerful shot from the edge of the box past keeper Main.
Dundee made several changes at the break and one of those substitutes, Josh Skelly, came close with a dipping shot which just cleared the bar, but the Dens youngsters fell behind again just six minutes into the half, Nicky Gray finding space on the edge of the box as Turriff broke to fire past Gourlay.
The home side’s lead didn’t last long though as Matty Allan who’d also entered the action at the interval rose to head home Skelly’s corner from the right and Dundee now looked the more likely winners as their passing stretched the home defence.
With quarter of an hour to go the young Dens Parkers got that winning goal, Dougie Crow given space by a flick from Skelly and coolly taking a touch before firing low past Main to complete the scoring.
The second half had seen more substitutes and a very young side saw out the closing stages with just one scare, former Aberdeen man Darren Mackie rising to loop a header just wide of the post.
Coach Eddie Johnson could be pleased with his charges on a day when they played some nice football and were given a tough workout by Turriff.
