Dundee 2
Hibernian 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Stuart McKimmie and Eric Sinclair returned to the Dundee side for the home game against Hibs. The Edinburgh club make only one change, bringing in Brian Rice for Gary Murray.

A misunderstanding between Glennie and Kelly in the opening seconds gives Hibs a corner and from that slip Dundee go from bad to worse till they lose a fourth-minute goal.

A long ball by Duncan is missed by Kelly and MacDonald clears on the line.

The shock of losing an early goal comes as a Callachan corner from the right is deflected to RAE, whose 20-yard shot goes low into the net at Kelly's right-hand post.

Dundee are stung to a positive response by this early sucker punch and twice well-placed forwards are crowded out.

They are inches away from drawing level when a Hibs defender leaves a cross ball to 'keeper McArthur.

Fraser launches himself at the ball, gets his head in and the 'keeper touches the ball just wide.

Kelly redeems himself with a splendid save from Callachan, whose 18-yard shot looks a winner.

The 'keeper calls for a change of gloves and another pair are delivered by substitute Bell and rubbed in the mud by a ball boy before the 'keeper changes. Next time he holds a cross ball, he looks more secure.

Dundee are striving to gain composure and the thing that would bring that is a goal, but Hibs' early success has brought lots of confidence, and again they came close to stretching their lead as a Thomson shot dips over the bar.

A goal just won't come for Dundee. McArthur is out of his penalty area to boot a bouncing ball away from Sinclair. Then Stephen and Sinclair have close-in shots blocked and a Ferguson shot goes straight to McArthur. A Mackie cross, after a fine run, is just too high for Sinclair and Callachan is back to head away.

Dundee are settling slowly and pass up a good chance when a well-thought-out ball from Fraser finds Ferguson on the blind side of the Hibs defence.

The young striker's first time, left-foot shot is well off the mark. Fraser is toil ing to inspire his side. He sends a good pass out to Mackie, then races to the far side of goal to await the cross.

When it comes, he heads back across goal and a des perate defender sends the ball for a corner.

When Dundee's equaliser comes in 29 minutes it is classically simple compared with some of their earlier approach work and it is all done by two defenders.

A corner kick is headed out to McKimmie, whose high cross is perfectly headed by JIM SMITH over the 'keeper and into the net.

Kelly is having his moments and they are not all magic. The young 'keeper, who came from Hibs, signals his defenders to stand off as he prepares to clutch a high ball from Duncan.

Then he misses the ball completely and, after a chase, crashes on top of the ball with the burly Thomson on top of him.

Both sides try hard to establish an interval lead, but the defences are not seriously troubled.

Half-time-Dundee 1, Hibs 1.

Reflections-There are incidents galore in a game that is a mixture of very good and very bad play. Dundee struggled to settled after their stuttering start and Hibs have not looked like a team that have yet to win a league game.

SECOND HALF.

The incidents continued. Sinclair goes down holding, his thigh and Mackie crashes after a challenge by Thomson who is booked.

Then Sneddon heads off the goal-line and the ball goes to Ferguson whose shot slams against the top of the near post. Sneddon is booked after a foul on Stephen as Dundee continue to stretch the Hibs defence.

There's a moment of uncertainty in the Dens defence as Thomson sends in a low cross which results in a corner for Hibs. As the ball comes over, Thomson and Jamieson impede keeper Kelly.

Dundee's opening fervour is fading before Hibs power play and a long ball from Smith to Stephen lifts the pressure on the home defence. The youngsters cross rolls along the top of the bar and goes behind

The referee gives a foul against Glennie for controlling the ball with his shoulder then books the Dundee man for kicking the ball away.

Ferguson goes down to a Sneddon challenge on the edge of the box and Dundee's setpiece moves to get the ball to work well.

But Stephen gets a glimpse of goal and sends a low shot just wide. There are free kicks galore as an element of desperation begins to creep into the proceedings.

A cross by Rice from one of these is headed for too high by Jamieson from a good position.

In Dundee's quick response, a one-two by Fraser and Sinclair misfires and good play by Fraser is wasted.

There is sensation in 75 minutes when Thomson is sent off after a foul on MacDonald in the Dundee penalty area.

The ten-man Hibs gets stuck into a tough task and Rice has two promising shots. One is just wide from 35 yards and Dundee are lucky that the second rebounds from Smith.

Hibs have the luck when a Sinclair cross is met by McKimmie and McArthur just manages to touch the ball on to the post, and grabs the rebound.

A header by Jamieson goes over the bar and a shot by Fraser takes a deflection and almost curls into goal. McArthur makes a fine diving save to send a McKimmie shot past.

Dundee get late success when the last of a series of three corners is headed out to FERGUSON, who slams the ball into the net from 12 yards in 87 minutes.

Final-Dundee 2, Hibs 1.

Summing-Up-This had the hallmark of a draw, till Ferguson brought Dun dee both points. The Dark Blues deserved their win, but there must be sympathy for battling Hibs.

Match report written by The Sporting Post