Dundee 2
Dundee United 5
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

This rumbustious derby game at Dens Park last night began quietly enough, but went on to have moments of sheer pandemonium. Seven goals, three of them from the penalty spot, tell the main story.

This will never be remembered as a classic. Good football was scarce, though effort was there ind abundance. Referee Alan Ferguson, the subject of complaint by United a few weeks ago, took criticism last night from both sets of fans for his decisions and the decisions he didn't make.

Both home goals came from penalty decisions. United's fourth was also from the spot. Though the Tannadice side finished so far ahead, and in full control, Dundee will rue the way they gave away two of the goals in the first half. It's a trait the Dens Parkers must cure quickly as they sink further into the relegation struggle. But this win keeps the Tannadice League title challenge alive.

Their defence, in particular, was always better organised last night than the home team's. A final strange point-in a game with so many goals, and so much determined action, I can't recall either keeper having a decent save in the 90 minutes!

In addition to the return of Bobby Geddes, Dundee brought back Peter Mackie and Lex Richardson in place of Colin Harris and Albert Kidd, who was on the bench. Apart from the continued absence of Hamish McAlpine, it was a more familiar United line-up. But Ian Munro, who made his debut at Tynecastle on Saturday, missed this game because of flu.

Neither keeper had a look in for the first nervy five minutes. Geddes's first Premier touch of the ball in three months was a goal kick.

Then, after a Sturrock cross had forced McGeachie into giving away a corner, the Dundee keeper held a Bannon kick cleanly.

A Dundee move down the right looked promising until Mackie.put his cross high and wide.

Gardiner's first save was a confident clutch of a McKinlay free kick. Sturrock went down injured on the edge of the box, bringing a.warning for Fraser. The free kick led to a flurry of activity in front of Geddes, but no real danger.

The first 20 minutes were tame compared to what was to follow.

In 21 minutes, following a Mackie cross, Ferguson had a shot from 15 yards deflected over the bar.

Two minutes later Dundee went in front from the penalty spot.

Smith headed in a McKinlay corner from the right, and Malpas, standing on the line, kept the ball out with his hands. After the Tannadice defender had been booked Ferguson banged home the spot kick.

The joy of the Dundee fans was short lived, and so was Malpas's misery, for the defender equalised just a minute later.

He took a pass from Dodds, and after tipping the ball over a defender, moved in smoothly before shooting past Geddes Now this derby was alive with action, as United stepped up the the pace. Geddes had to scramble along his line to a Gough shot but it went wide.

In 32 minutes, United struck again. A fine four-man moved ended with a low shot from Kirkwood which Geddes failed to hold as he dived. Reilly dashed in and pushed the ball in for a second goal.

Three minutes later it was 3-1 and another tragic blunder by the home team. This time MacDonald, under pressure from Dodds, sent a high ball sailing back to Geddes, who was off his line. The keeper made a desperate effort to get back but the ball came off the bar and rose into the air again for Dodds to nod into the net.

Dundee tried to regain composure, but a fierce low cross from Ferguson which went clean across the goalmouth brought Gardiner no problems.

United looked in control. A tremendous Reilly shot just missed Geddes's top left hand corner.

But everything was happening now, and Dundee were awarded a second penalty kick a minute from the interval. Amid fierce protests, Fraser was adjudged to have been impeded in the box in the midst of a posse of Tannadice defenders. Ferguson stepped forward again and scored his second penalty of the half.

The controversy wasn't yet over. Jim McLean had words with the referee and appeared to be booked.

A spectator ran on to the scene, and had to be pulled away by the police before a sensational first half came to an end.

The fans were in a state of high excitement as the second period got underway. A Fraser run and cross forced Gough to head past his own post. Smith's header from the corner kick went over the bar.

In 50 minutes Sturrock, who had taken a few knocks, limped off and was replaced by Milne. The players seemed to catch the mood of the crowd, for there was little combined play at this stage, though there were plenty of stoppages for infringements.

United almost got through when Milne took a Reilly slip, appeared to arm the ball, but was allowed to go on and shoot against Geddes.

But it was 4-2 in 57 minutes from the third penalty kick of the night. MacDonald held back Reilly in the box, and referee Ferguson had no hesitation in dismissing Dundee protests and awarding the penalty. Bannon converted.

Dundee brought on a slimmed down Bobby Glennie for the unfortunate MacDonald just afterwards.

The deficit seemed too great for Dundee now. United should have scored again when Reilly and Milne burst through on the right. Milne took the final pass and shot just wide.

In 68 minutes Kidd became Dundee's second sub, replacing Mackie.

Much of the steam went out of the game in the late stages. United had things well under control and Dundee's only threat was à Richardson shot which went past the post.

The Reilly-Milne combine went close again a minute from time. Reilly raced up the left, Milne met the cross-but scooped the ball over the bar.

But there was still time for Milne to leave his mark on the game. He fastened on to a Dodds cutback, and shot low past Geddes to complete United's comprehensive victory.

Match report written by The Courier