Dundee 1
Hibernian 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Courier .

Cauld winter was howlin' a bit earlier than usual at Dens Park on Saturday, as Dundee beat Hibs more convincingly than the 1-0 margin suggests.

The wind, blowing strongly down the slope and making some of the play a mockery, gave each team a chance to cash in. Only Dundee succeeded and even against the elements they were the side who looked more likely to score.

Just that one goal in it, though, and what a carry-on before John Brown scored from the 20-yard free kick in the 32nd minute.

He and Robert Connor attempted one of these rehearsed dead-ball moves, but this one turned into a shambles, with neither player taking the kick.

Finally, after running the risk of being warned for time-wasting. Brown, almost in disgust it seemed, slammed a beauty past Alan Rough.

Confirming later that the total confusion was not part of the plan, Archie Knox said, "I've never been so glad that a rehearsed move went wrong!"

Archie, happy to get the points on a day when anything could have happened, was still wary about the number of chances missed by his players.

In the second half particularly (against the wind) at least three excellent chances were thrown away by wild shooting. Just one conversion and Hibs would have been scuppered.

As it was the visitors never put Bobby Geddes under real pressure at any time in this game. I counted one excellent save from the Dundee keeper in the first half, one good clutch from a corner kick in the second.

At the other end Alan Rough had to make the save of the day-a marvellous dive to divert a header from Stephen.

Blame Hibs, praise the home defence, too. They played very solidly in the second period with Jim Duffy settling to the form expected of him.

Hibs did put in a late spurt, emphasising that even if Dundee well deserved their win a one-goal margin is always too close for comfort.

Two wins in a row for Dundee now, sure to help their confidence. They have to beat sides like Hibs these are the fixtures that bring most worry.

"The next two fixtures look after themselves," says Archie Knox, for meetings with Rangers and Celtic need no motivation!

John Brown went off early with a recurrence of his calf injury. There are no other Dens injuries.

Plenty of sair hearts at Easter Road though. They have now lost six in a row and the fact they're in the Skol semi-final is no consolation. Their fans are restless, evidenced by the hot criticism they gave their players and manager at the end.