Airdrieonians (1878) 0
Dundee 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Sporting Post.

Dundee are unchanged for the vital game at Airdrie. The Dark Blues started three points behind the Diamonds, who have a game in hand.

Airdrie are without skipper and top Scorer Sandy Clark (injured) and defender Pat McCluskey (suspended). Jim March and Harry Cairney come in.

Kidd is brought down a couple of yards outside the Airdrie penalty area, but the Ferguson free is deflected for a corner.

In their next run upfield Mackie crosses from the left, but Martin holds the ball at the second attempt.

McKimmie concedes an unnecessary corner which starts a lengthy spell of pressure on the Dundee goal, which is only eased by an infringement against

Fleming is spoken to by the referee after a foul on Norrie Anderson- the free kick another spell of home pressure which ends with a McKeown shot over.

Dundee, playing against the wind, are winning the ball well in midfield, but are not getting much out of their encounters with the big defenders.

McGeachie meets a clearance at the edge of the penalty area and shoots wild and wide.

Mackie is just as far off target with another shot from the same range.

After an Airdrie free kick 20 yards out Geddes saves well while under pressure from the towering March.

McKimmie puts the ball out of play then asks for attention to a leg injury. He carries on, but does not look happy and in 23 minutes he is replaced by Cameron.

Airdrie are looking for a penalty when Glennie and McDonagh clash, but the decision is a free kick to Dundee..

From this a Ferguson shot from the touchline drops behind Martin and narrowly misses the far post.

In 27 minutes Airdrie are awarded a penalty after Smith brings down McGuire. Norrie Anderson takes the spot kick but Geddes makes a brilliant save, diving to his left to push the ball round the post.

A minute later the Dundee 'keeper does well, when he grabs a Gordon shot under the bar.

The Dens defenders are keeping their cool and holding the eager home side with Glennie playing a skipper's role.

Campbell nearly catches out the defence with a 20 yard shot which goes just over.

Smith gives home keeper Martin one of his few anxious moments with a strong well directed header from 18 yards.

Just on half-time McKeown shoots from about six yards, but the ball is blocked.

Half-time: Dundee 0. Airdrie 0

Reflections - The great penalty save by Geddes was the highlight and it enabled Dundee to turn to play with the wind with the score sheet blank.

Dundee mop up Airdrie pressure for five minutesnthen grab the lead.

Fraser takes a free 35 yards out and floats the ball into the middle of the penalty area, where FLEMING steps forward to send a powerful header into the net just in side Martin's left hand post, for 12 yards.

Airdrie take off McDonagh and send on Colin Walker to make his first team debut.

Glennie does well to dispossess McGuire as the winger races into the six yard box. Another free almost brings a second goal for Dundee, but this time Smith's close in header at the far post goes over.

A couple of Airdrie crosses from the right are headed out, but the ball is not cleared and McKewon finds himself in the clear as he strides in from 20 yards.

With time and space in his favour he sends the ball weakly to Geddes.

Another free almost brings Dundee further success. Fraser strokes the ball to Fleming whose powerful, low shot from 20 yards is brilliantly pushed away by Martin.

The ball goes to Smith whose chip shot hits the inside of the far post and rebounds into the keeper's arms

Airdrie come just as close when Glennie kicks a Campbell header off the goal-line.

The Airdrie keeper has another good diving save from Ferguson and a March shot is deflected wide of the Dundee goal.

Martin dives again on the edge of his goal area to send a Mackie shot for a corner. Ferguson's kick is headed wide by Glennie.

Inside the last quarter of an hour Thompson replaces McGuire and Campbell moves into the middle of the home attack.

But things are moving more and more Dundee's way with eight minutes left the Dark Blues get a second goal which sets their fans singing with joy.

Ferguson takes a corner on the left, sends the ball to the advancing FRASER who runs in to hit a low shot from just outside the penalty area. The ball ex plodes from his boot and finishes up in the corner of the net.

Final-Airdrie 0, Dundee 2.

Summing-Up - Once they went in front, Dundee played with a new confidence and showed them selves the better-organised side. They were rarely in danger after Fleming's great header. Fraser's goal took the pressure off. But it all might have turned out very differently if Geddes had not made his wonder save from that penalty kick.