Dundee 1
Hibernian 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

Snow-clearing operations go on until half an hour before the start of the Dundee Hibs game at Dens Park, with Dundee boss Donald Mackay doing a six-hour stint.

When the teams come out, the surface looks good and rain is falling.

The only change in the Dundee side is Ray Stephen returns after missing the East Stirling game due to flu. Jimmy Murphy moves to the bench.

Hibs field the team which demolished St Johnstone.

Dundee start in sensational style with a goal in 28 seconds - before a Hibs player has touched the ball.

From the kick-off the ball goes back to Glennie and out to Barr who makes a lot of ground before doing a 1-2 with Fraser. Barr sends a hard cross to the near post, where SINCLAIR heads cleanly into the net.

Dundee buzz around Mc Arthur's goal twice more in deadly-looking fashion before Hibs make their first move.

The home defence gets into a tangle and Andy Geddes takes a painful knock on the left ankle after conceding an unnecessary corner. But he recovers to take a pass from Fraser and hit a right-foot shot which comes close to taking a coat of paint off the top of the crossbar.

In nine minutes a Connolly cross from the right leads to a clash between keeper Geddes and Rae.

Rae is booked and Connolly needs treatment for his ankle. Geddes is also limping and does not take the goal-kick.

Hibs are struggling to settle, but when they begin to string a few passes to gether the home defence has a couple moments. of anxious

'Keeper Geddes looks in a bad way with a right leg in jury.

Dundee are giving the ball away too often in midfield.

Right-back Jim Brown tries to take advantage of the Dundee 'keeper's immobility with a chip, which is just wide of goal.

The Dark Blues are getting tremendous support from the bigger than usual crowd as they work to take the game to Hibs.

Barr is fouled near the corner flag and the tightly packed Hibs defence stop Fraser's free reaching Sin clair.

Sinclair and Hibs skipper McGlinchey are both spoken to by the referee after the Dundee striker is fouled.

'Keeper Geddes looks in even worse shape after going down for a ball which streaks past the post. It is hammer-and-tongs stuff as Dundee do all they can to keep their 'keeper out of the action without allowing Hibs to dominate the game.

After a free kick Barr kicks the ball off the line and takes a knock in the process. Hibs show real anger when a penalty claim is turned down after Callachan goes down at the edge of the box.

Andy Geddes is nearly through for Dundee, finds his path blocked and gives the ball to Mackie, whose wild effort is away off the mark.

Half-time-Dundee 1, Hibs 0.

Reflections: There is bags of spirit on view here, but precious little of it is the Christmas type. It is a bitter battle. Much will depend on what can be done for 'keeper Geddes during the break. His injury is obviously a weight on the mind of every Dundee player.

SECOND HALF

Bobby Geddes comes out with his right knee bandaged.

A dangerous ball to the far post by Fraser produces a corner for Dundee. There are a couple more near things for Hibs before they get the ball away.

Fraser intercepts a pass and sends a ball forward for Stephen who is bursting through the defence when Paterson steps in with a great tackle. Arthur Duncan breaks dangerously on the left, but ruins his good work by slicing his cross behind.

McGlinchey is booked after a foul on Sinclair on the touchline.

As play rages from end to end, Stephen sends a great crossfield ball to Mackie who wastes the chance with a hasty cross.

There is bedlam in 62 minutes when Stephen is downed and Dundee are awarded a penalty. In the aftermath of argument Paterson fell's Sinclair and is booked. Shirra steps up to take the spot-kick, but hits a softish one to the 'keeper's right, which McArthur dives to push away.

Dundee are playing it very cool and are making a better job of controlling the fiery Hibs. Duncan is now playing as a winger, and McLaren is at left back.

Donald Mackay races from the stand to the dug-out to control the action at close range. Immediately Murphy comes out to work up.

Hibs are coming more into the game and the injured home 'keeper just manages to touch out a cross from the right for a defender to complete the clearance. With 15 minutes left Murphy goes on for Mackie. Hibs respond by sending on Jamieson for Connolly.

Geddes makes his first save of the half by diving to hold a header and is hurt again, taking a knock on the face.

He puts the ball down expecting a free kick, but there is no whistle and a teammate clears hastily into touch.

Murphy crosses from the left, Fraser heads back in front of goal and a Sinclair shot from the edge of the box brings another great save from McArthur.

'Keeper Geddes is a limp ing hero in the last minutes as he pushes a powerful header over the bar. When the final whistle goes he is helped to the dressing-room by the club psysiotherapist.

Final-Dundee 1, Hibs 0.

Summing Up-This was the red-raw meat of football-two sides locked in uncompromising battle. There wasn't lot of a skill, but effort and deter mination were there in abundance. Dundee deserved their important win because they did not allow the adversity of the injury to Bobby Geddes or the missed penalty to put them out of their stride.

Match report written by The Sporting Post