Dundee 2
Greenock Morton 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Dundee showed two changes from the side that beat Motherwell for the visit of Morton.

George McGeachie is injured and is replaced by Bobby Glennie, and Jerry Davidson is on the bench and Eric Sinclair plays. Ex-Ranger Colin Jackson is in the Morton line-up.

Dundee kick off and soon make their presence felt in the Morton goalmouth. And in the fourth minute are desperately unlucky not to take the lead.

The Dark Blues force a corner down the right. Mackie takes the kick. It's headed to Stephen, whose header from six yards seems net-bound till Baines dives backwards to finger the ball over the bar.

Dundee's Jim Smith gets a ticking off from the ref when he appears to dispute a decision.

Morton work their way into the game, but a confident-looking Colin Kelly looks very much in charge of the home goal.

In the 10th minute the young 'keeper is tested when he has to get down quickly to a low fizzer from McNab after fine work by Ritchie. The youngster clutches confidently and the danger passes.

Ian MacDonald is next to get a lecture from the ref as Dundee's defenders are working tightly. McKimmie is next to incur Mr Renton's displeasure and the ref seems determined to eliminate any physical contact. It seems form of a pity, for Dundee's defence, although positive, is by no means tough.

With defences on top, play gets bogged down in midfield and real chances are few and far between.

First Ritchie, then Docherty have a go for Morton, but their long-range efforts are harmless.

With 24 minutes gone Stephen puts Sinclair clean through but as the big man prepares to shoot he is given offside. The fans don't like it and let the ref know.

A minute later, Morton break out and Ritchie is put in possession only 12 yards out. He looks certain to score but Kelly is off his line in a flash, to save at the Greenock striker's feet.

In the 25th minute, Dundee's Ian MacDonald is booked and threatened with an early bath for an infringe ment that's a bit of a mystery to the onlookers on the terracing.

On the half-hour, glorious ball from MacDonald sets Mackie galloping off down the left flank. Mackie's cross causes panic in the Morton defence and Baines has to dash out to gather.

The 'keeper again clutches well when a McKimmie cross beats the whole defence, and it is Baines to the rescue again when he dives full length at Ferguson's feet as the Dark Blues pile on the pressure.

Five minutes from the break Dundee gain yet an other corner. Mackie and Sinclair combine well and Sinclair's overhead lob is just off target. Then Fraser thunders a long-ranger over the top with Baines beaten.

Dundee press for the half-time advantage.

Morton's Docherty is the second man booked when he disputes a Dundee free kick just outside the penalty box. Fraser eventually takes the kick and brings Baines to his knees with a well struck effort

Just on the whistle McNab eludes his marker and crashes in a great shot which the outrushing Kelly palms away in brilliant style.

In the 44th minute Dundee finally take the lead and it's a beautifully worked goal. Mackie passes to skipper Fraser whose centre is met by Eric SINCLAIR and his low header beats Bains all ends up.

Half-time Dundee 1,Morton 0.

Reflections: The only goal was a long time in coming but it was a real beauty when it finally arrived. Dundee are deservedly ahead.

Dundee fans almost had heart failure immediately on the restart.

Morton come storming into attack and McNeil fires a low shot which Kelly does well to block. The ball breaks to Jackson, who crashes it back in again, but, thankfully, Glennie is on hand to boot the ball off the goal-line. Whatever Morton had in their half-time cuppa it certainly warmed them up and for a spell the Dens defence takes a roasting. But they soak up the pressure and emerge with their goal still intact.

Morton surge back and the next move opens the way for a Ritchie shot which is deflected for a corner.

Home centre-half Smith, injured earlier, is led off looking dazed and is replaced by Davie Bell.

He goes to right-back and Glennie moves into the centre of defence.

Andy Ritchie forces his way into a shooting position but his elbow work is better than his footwork and he's whistled up as he prepares to add the finishing touch.

Another follows in quick succession and Dundee midfielder Jim Smith goes down when he collides with McLaughlin as he clears his line. Both players are able to continue after treatment.

Dundee break out and in the 59th minute a glorious left-foot drive from Fraser is thwarted only by a brilliant save from Baines. Minutes later Baines does well to get his fingers to a well judged Mackie lob as the Dark Blues rush in for the kill.

At the other end Hutchison fastened on to a careless clearance, but from 18 yards his shot is off target and Dundee can breathe again.

In the 65th minute it's Kelly to Dundee's rescue again. Ritchie eludes the defence, has time to pick his spot, but the young Dundee "keeper reads the situation perfectly and gets behind the ball well.

Ferguson earns a booking after he felled McLaughlin in the 69th minute as Dundee fight their way back on the offensive.

In the 72nd minute Dundee make it 2-0 and it's another well-worked goal.

Cammy Fraser puts Mackie in position on the right flank and the latter's perfectly judged cross to the far post is met by the inrushing SINCLAIR, who heads it into the back of the net.

Dundee are moving well and even left-back McKimmie came up to thunder in a shot and Baines had to look lively to deal with it.

But Morton are still fighting and in the 82nd minute sub Cochrane takes the paint off the bar with an angled volley, Three minutes from time 'keeper Kelly is penalised for holding on to the ball too long in his area. But the Dundee defensive wall blocks the resultant free kick.

Kelly and McLaughlin collide moments later and in spite of the Dundee 'keeper's protest that the clash was fair the ref insists on booking the Morton number five.

Final-Dundee 2, Morton 0.

Summing Up Two excellent goals deservedly gave, Dundee both points and the only complaint was that they might have scored even more.

A workmanlike display by the Dark Blues, who were well served indeed by young 'keeper Kelly.

Match report written by The Sporting Post