Dundee 5
Motherwell 1
League Cup (Semi Final)

Match Report

The Dundee-Motherwell League Cup semi-final at Ibrox will be remembered as a classic.

We had al the thrills of a knock-out battle, performed in masterly style. The moves were intelligent, silky, and lovely to watch.

While every player in Dundee's team did a grand job, I pick out one for special mention.

I take you behind the scenes to give you this story, one of the finest examples of pluck and team spirit.

The central figure is Johnny Pattillo.

The game was swaying this way and that. Dundee were leading 2-1. After the interval Motherwell looked as if they must draw level. Johnny clashed with Shaw and badly shaken, went down. He was up in a minute and went into a second tackle with another Motherwell player.

When Johnny fell this time he lay still. He had received a knock-out on the solar plexus. He was out as soundly at a boxer who had taken the count of ten.

He was helped half dragged, half limping to the touchline, where Reg Smith got to work.

A boxer is allowed a minute to prover Johnny took four. When he returned to the field, white and obviously still in pain be almost immediately helped to stop a dangerous looking Motherwell attack.

For twenty mutes after that the Steelmen kept pressing.

"Can Dundee hold out?" "A Motherwell goal must come" are two of my notes at this point

Johnny was a pain all this time, but kept strongly in the game, although he had excuse to love the field.

Then came a Billy Steel lob between Paton and Johnston. The defenders hesitated, and Pattillo was on that hand to hit it against the keeper, who stumbled, and the evergreen Johnny had the ball in the net.

That really settled the issue. The fire in Motherwells attack subsided and Dundee continuing to serve up their football artistry went on to a decisive victory

"I'm feeling not too badly." said Johnny afterwards.

Another factor in the Dark Blue win was the return to international form of Bobby Flavell.

All is old-time wizandry was on view. Poor Andy Paton's head must have been whirling, so often did Bobby evade him.

Frequently, too, Flavell was on the wings tormenting the backs with the ball tied to his feet, His flicks, cras passes, ball control and sudden speedy bursts all came to life again. Toner nearly laid on his first goal, and Steel his second and third. Each time Bobby's finishing off showed sure ball control and superb confidence

Every Dundee defender must get full marks. Motherwells forward line was moving like a well liked machine. Humphries kept slinging over dangerous balls. There was one delightful move when the ball glided backwards and forwand three times in front of Dundee's goal, and only the coolness of Billy Brown and Doug Cowie saved the day.

Gerry Follon had a trying time against tricks Aitkenhead, but always Follon forced the winger to play the ball until Dundee's other defenders were a position. And therein lay Aitkenhear's weakness and Follon's strength.

Boyd has never been note outstanding in defence.

Jack Cowan, after his long lay off, found pace terrific, but he had Humphries 'taped" in the second half. "Or maybe Humphries came down to my speed!" confessed Jack.

While Jimny Toner Iooked strange in the outside position he always made good use of the ball, and his quick as still direction methods justified his inclusion.

George Christie was lovely, linked well with Steel, and his goal a good example of opportunism.

Tommy Gallagher played his best game of the season, and his tackling in defence stopped many a dangerous move which he turned into attack.

This game of Dunder's raises the hopes of their supporters that they are capable of at last bringing a major honour to the city.

"I'm glad we are meeling Rangers in the final," said Mr Anderson with confidence.

Match report written by The Courier