Dundee 4
Partick Thistle 2
League (Division One)

Match Report

Both sides have to decide how to cope in the blustery wind which is blowing straight down the field in Partick's favour.

Dundee decide on short, low passes and Partick try to use the wind to carry the ball into the Dundee penalty area.

A clever cross by Fraser swings on the breeze, but not enough to carry it away from the safe arms of Alan Rough.

Partick use the wind to score a fine opening goal in 10 minutes. A Rough clearance is sent wide of the Dundee goal by Barr and Park's inswinging corner kick catches the Dundee defence static and badly positioned.

O'Hara heads the ball on and a GIBSON header sends it flashing into the net.

It takes Dundee only four minutes to draw level and the goal is scored for them by Partick right-back and former Dundee player, Dave McKinnon.

Disaster for Dave comes when Sinclair sends an over head pass from the right to the far post.

Rough and McKinnon both go for it, both hesitate and McKinnon heads the ball in to the net just inside the post.

Dundee begin to build some promising moves and there is a chance for Sinclair when a Thistle defender knocks a ball back to him. A first-time shot, when there is time to steady, goes yards wide.

A cross from MacDonald reaches Sinclair, who is not in a shooting position. Instead of allowing the ball to run on to Ferguson, who has a clear view of goal, Sinclair knocks the ball back into the crowded goal area.

TWO BOOKED.

Sinclair and McKinnon are both booked after a skirmish on the touchline. Davie Bell is winning the ball well and using it equally well. One of his moves starts a Dundee attack which ends with a weak shot by Ferguson.

The young Dundee striker runs through the middle for a cross from Cameron, but Rough gets there first.

When Dundee score their first Premier League goal of the season to go in front in 29 minutes, it is likely lad FERGUSON who hits the net. There is good play on the left and the cross from Fleming to set things up, and Ferguson sidesteps a defender before placing a low shot well away from Rough.

IMPROVED.

The fans are enjoying Dundee's much improved form in a lively and entertaining game. They like it when Ferguson goes down the right and sends the ball straight to the feet of Fleming. The Dundee forward takes time:to control the ball and Watson knocks it for a corner.

A MacDonald header from the corner kick looks promising, but there are too many defenders in the way.

Partick almost equalise when Watson sends a long cross to the far post and wee striker McDonald heads over the bar from a few yards.

Rough gets the cheers when Cameron darts down the wing to slip the ball in front of Fleming and the 'keeper dives to block the shot.

Half-time Dundee 2, Partick Thistle 1,

Reflections-There is all round improvement by Dundee and teenager lan Ferguson has found his form. Partick have shown some clever touches, too, and that all makes for fine entertainment.

SECOND HALF.

Partick probed down both wings, trying to turn the home defence and a Watson cross looks dangerous.

But the Dundee defence weathers the storm and Cameron sees a lot of action and shows that he is a two footed player.

McGeachie wins the ball and carries it upfield. With men on each side anxious for a pass, he decided to shoot from 30 yards and presents Rough with no problems.

Partick get their reward in 53 minutes when Doyle picks up the ball just outside the penalty area and slides it in front of WATSON whose vicious left foot shot gives Geddes no chance.

AHEAD AGAIN.

This time Dundee take only a minute to hit back. Ferguson sends over an inswinging corner kick and MacDONALD races in to hammer a header into the net.

The other Dens central defender almost gets into the score list with a left foot shot from 10 yards which Rough just manages to touch away.

Partick are playing pretty football and Cameron does well to dispossess Park then win the ball from McDonald. It looks like a penalty when Campbell deflects a McGeachie header. The referee ignores the roars from the terracing and it's a corner kick.

Ferguson's cross is partly cleared and 30-yard Fraser shot slams against Rough and the keeper gathers it at the second attempt.

Partick take off both scorers, Gibson and Watson, and send on their subs in an attempt to force a way through the home defence.

NEAR THING.

Cameron almost scores for Dundee with a 40-yard free kick which is dummied as it streaks low for the far corner. Rough sees it late and just manages to save.

Geddes does just as well when a mix-up in front of him creates a moment of real danger. The young 'keeper grabs the ball almost on the line.

Lapsley and Ferguson are booked, having their names taken after they clash in a game which is by no means dirty.

Rough makes another save in the wonder class when he stops and holds a tremen dous shot from Sinclair just inside the near post.

OFF THE POST.

Thistle are just as close to success when a shot from Sweeney eludes the fingers of the diving Geddes and hits the post. With 13 minutes left Dundee send on Stephen for Fleming, a move which is far from popular with the fans.

The Scotland keeper has all the luck the brave deserve when a fine move featuring Fleming and Sinclair ends with a Ferguson rocket from six yards which hits the bar and goes over.

FRASER SCORES.

Dundee keep up their pres sure and in 83 minutes widen the goal gap when FRASER takes a pass on the right and runs in to hit the net with a low shot.

Final Dundee 4, Partick Thistle 2.

Summing-Up-This was by far Dundee's best of the season and they thoroughly deserved their first win. The message of Manager Mackay is getting through and suddenly the efforts of the players have made things much brighter at Dens Park. Partick were no push overs and contributed fully to a fine game.

Match report written by The Sporting Post