Dundee 6
Greenock Morton 0
League (Division One)

Match Report

The visitors should have got off to the perfect start in the very first minute of the game when they squandering a great chance. Lavelle swung a long ball towards Thomson Allan's goal. Osborne chased it and drew the Dundee keeper before chipping the ball to Gillies who was in splendid isolation. Fortunately for the Dark Blues the Highlander's header was too high and the ball soared over the bar to the relief of the Dundee fans in the 5,000 crowd.

This fantastic let-off didn't deter Dundee who soon got into their stride, although they were to find the Morton defence in an uncompromising mood. After ten minutes John Duncan was put through by Jocky Scott, but the centre failed to find the target lofting his shot over the bar.

Roy Baines in the visitor's goal was, however, happy to see a Jimmy Wilson thunderbolt blocked before the English keeper had to pull out all the stops himself to hold a hot shot from Ian Scott as Dundee took command. Shots rained in on Baines. John Duncan, and both

Bobby and Jimmy Wilson tested Baines. There was further applause for the Greenock guardian when he plucked the ball away from Ian Scott when he seemed set to score with a header. Morton, however, were dangerous on the break and near the interval Billy Osborne almost sneaked them into what would have been a flattering lead.

As it was, this stung Dundee back into attack and they finally got a long overdue goal.

It was right on the whistle when Jimmy Wilson playing against his former club hit a screaming right-foot drive which curled away from Baines, hit the inside of the post and flew into the net.

That goal signalled all-out attack by Dundee when play resumed in the second half.

John Duncan was decidedly unlucky to see his jet propelled effort scrape the post at the very start of play. The inevitable second goal came 11 minutes into the second half and once more it was Jimmy Wilson, who inflicted further misery on his former colleagues. A Doug Houston throw-in was headed across goal by John Duncan, touched back by Ian Scott and lobbed into the net by wee Jimmy.

Not satisfied, Dundee piled on the pressure which told five minutes later. Jocky Scott beat three defenders in typical fashion before sending in a shot which Baines could scarcely have seen never mind save.

A minute later John Duncan scorned an open goal, but made amends in the 70th minute. A shot from Gordon Wallace struck Baines on the chest and rebounded to the Dundee number nine and without further ado, he hit it hard and low to make it four.

Soon after this George Stewart and Donny Gillies clashed heads and the Dens defender was taken to the pavilion suffering from concussion. With Gordon Wallace having already replaced Duncan Lambie, Dundee were reduced to ten men, but it was to make no difference to the pattern of play.

Eight minutes from the end a delightful header by John Duncan from a Gordon Wallace cross swelled the home tally to five.

And just two minutes from time John went on to complete his hat-trick with a perfect pass supplied by Jocky Scott. He had scored three goals in only 18 minutes and this grandstand finish thrilled the home fans who showed their appreciation by cheering the side all the way back to the dressing rooms.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme