Dundee lost the opening derby of the season, going down to a 2-0 defeat against Dundee United at Dens Park this afternoon. Zach Sapsford put United ahead in the first half and Ivan Dolcek sealed the win with a late second. The Dark Blues tried hard but lacked the attacking threat to save the game.
The only change to the Dee starting eleven following last week’s draw at Kilmarnock was Ethan Hamilton making his debut in central midfield in the place of Fin Robertson, who was on the bench.
Until United took the lead after 14 minutes there was little to excite the supporters. Both teams were guilty of switching between safe, harmless exchanges and more ambitious passes that failed.
When United got it right they took the lead with a move that opened up Dundee too easily. Ivan Dolcek sent Luca Stevenson down the right to the byline. With the defence possibly expecting the pass to go out of play the wing back caught the ball on the line and cut it back to the near post where Zach SAPSFORD shot past Jon McCracken from close range. The move was well worked but the Dark Blues were slow to respond to the initial pass and the cut back.
For the most part both defences had the measure of the attackers in the first half. The exception was the Dundee left where United were able to find too much space too often in the gap between Luke Graham and Imari Samuels. That could have led to a second goal when Ivan Dolcek had space to cut inside but his low shot flashed into the side netting.
Simon Murray got away from Bert Esselink onto a long pass from Yan Dhanda but Yevheni Kucherenko stretched to turn away his lob. Referee Steven McLean awarded a free kick against Murray, however. That this incident is worth a menition illustrates how the Dee never got their game going in the first half and failed to give the United defence any real problems. Only in the last five minutes of the half did they drive forward with any conviction but United were always able to cope.
At half time Dundee made two changes. Tony Yogane and Cam Congreve came on for Yan Dhanda and Joe Westley. The Dark Blues started with greater intent and energy, but this didn’t lead to any sustained impetus.
Dundee started to drift back into a pattern of doubling back towards safety rather than driving forward and there was still no final product. Tony Yogane had the better of Iurie Iovu but never took full advantage and his crosses were usually disappointing.
Ethan Hamilton was effective on his debut in midfield and caused a few problems driving forward. He delivered a shot on target from 25 yards, but it was straight at Kucherenko.
United were able to manage the game comfortably throughout the second half. They were restrained, cautious even, for long periods, content to hold Dundee at bay without over-committing in attack.
After the game passed the 70 minute mark United stepped up the pace and quickly caused Dundee problems. A smart move down the right gave Dolcek the chance for an angled shot but McCracken saved well. The crucial second goal was delayed for only a minute.
A long throw from the left broke to DOLCEK who rifled a low shot past McCracken from 12 yards. With 77 minutes gone and Dundee struggling to create any goal threat there couldn’t have been anyone in the stadium who doubted that United would go on to win.
Sadly there was little effective response from the Dark Blues. Fin Robertson, Billy Koumetio and Emile Acquah came on for Callum Jones, Drey Wright and Imari Samuels. The Dark Blues pushed forward but United were always in control, handling the Dee attacks and looking dangerous on the break.
The only significant action was around the Dee goal, with two efforts from United subsitutes. Nikolaj Möller sent a ferocious 20 yarder straight at McCracken and Dario Naamo was denied by a good block by the keeper after Panutche Camara had opened up the Dark Blues with a driving run.
Dundee didn’t create enough, and seemed to lack the quality and belief to go after United and try to open up the defence. The Dark Blues were usually too passive and cautious on the ball and out of possession they were punished for lapses in concentration when United attacked. There were only a few such lapses but United forced the issue each time and they never slipped up themselves. Dundee simply didn’t do enough today to deserve anything.
Dundee FC 3-4-2-1
Jon McCracken
Ryan Astley, Clark Robertson (c), Luke Graham
Drey Wright (Emile Acquah 78), Callum Jones (Fin Robertson 78), Ethan Hamilton, Imari Samuels (Billy Koumetio 78)
Joe Westley (Cam Congreve at half time), Yan Dhanda (Tony Yogane at half time)
Simon Murray (c)
Unused substitutes: Trevor Carson (gk), Ash Hay, Cesar Garza, Plamen Galabov.
Booked: none.
Dundee United 3-4-2-1
Kucherenko
Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes
Stephenson (Eskesen 84), Sevelj, Camara, Ferry
Dolcek, Fatah (Möller 62)
Sapsford (Naamo 78)
Unused substitutes: Richards (gk), Sibbald, Thomson, O’Donnell, Cleall-Harding, Constable.
Goal: Sapsford (14).
Booked: Iovu (foul on Yogane).
Attendance: 10,750.
Referee: Steven McLean. Assistants: Graeme Stewart, Gordon Crawford. VAR: John Beaton. Assistant VAR: Graeme Leslie
Report: James Christie.
