Hamilton Academical 0
Dundee 3
League (Division One)

Match Report

To ensure finishing third Dundee had to win at Hamilton, but the stakes were less than anyone at Dens would have wanted or have envisaged and way-going manager Davie White was not there to see this final match, so coach Hugh Robertson was in charge of a game which held few attractions as the meagre crowd confirmed.

And it was very much end of season fayre in the opening period as Dundee dominated, but missed chance after chance. Even the normally so reliable Billy Pirie was out of sorts, hitting the side net from four yards when it seemed easier to score.

Frankly, the only highlights of that opening forty-five minutes had been the misses!

Rather sarcastically, The Sporting Post stated at the interval, "It looked as if the players', only hope of a score was to have two of the twenty-two ordered off!"

But things took a distinct turn for the better after the teams turned round as Dundee resumed with much greater determination.

An attitude which didn't take long to reap rewards. Twice within the space of seconds Billy Pirie and Eric Sinclair hit the woodwork and with only four of the second half on the clock Dundee deservedly did take the lead. Bobby Hutchison's dash down the left enabled him to get round the defence to fire in a low shot which keeper Rikki Ferguson was lamentably late in going for and the ball slipped under him and in to the net.

That produced a flurry of pressure by Accies, but midway through the half, Dundee stretched their lead. A cross from the right was headed back across goal by John McPhail and Bobby Hutchison's shot was touched into the net by Alec Caldwell.

He had replaced Bobby Robinson and almost scored a second when he sent Billy Pirie away and raced through to take the return, but Ferguson came off his line to block the midfielder's shot.

But there was to be one more goal and who else could it have been that that man Billy Pirie. He had to wait until the final minute of the season, taking a pass from Bobby Hutchison to fire a low ball past Ferguson it was his 44th goal of the campaign!

So an otherwise disappointing season at least concluded on a high note, albeit that the final third placing was decidedly stale beer in view of the club's aspirations.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme