Dundee 1
Heart of Midlothian 3
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Source unknown.

This game started like last week's Tay Bridge Fireworks spectacular. And it didn't stop exploding until time up.

Unfortunately, after a tremendous opening spell for all the right reasons it will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Seven booked and Rab Shannon sent off. At the end of the day there is no excuse for players losing their discipline. But it must be stated their patience was sorely tested by a totally inadequate referee - Hugh Williamson.

He was rarely up with play. When he was, he still allowed players to go unpunished for blatant offences.

Not unnaturally, bitterness boiled over and by the time the ref at last took action it was far too late. The trend had been set.

Tragically, if this game had been properly handled, it would have been a classic. It was played at tremendous pace, with skill to match.

John Colquhoun got Hearts off to a dream start. Straight from the kick-off the ball was played back to McPherson. Brown miss-headed a clearance and Mackay set up Colquhoun, who from 15 yards unleashed a tremendous angled drive into the top corner of the net.

Dundee responded immediately and the scene appeared set for a memorable afternoon.

Unfortunately play was too quick for all three match officials. By half-time the ref had three names in his book. Forsyth for clattering Mackay from behind, McPherson for obstruction on McKinlay, Robertson for deliberate hand-ball.

Hearts then got off to a great start in the second half following a bad throw by Geddes. Foster intercepted, raced to the line, and squared for Colquhoun to score easily.

There then followed another clutch of bookings. Brown for hacking down Foster, and Angus for a trip on Foster. Then the whole match finally blew up.

Shannon kicked Colquhoun right in front of the ref, who had no alternative but to send him off. Then the linesman spotted Kidd strike McKinlay and informed the ref, but nothing happened.

Two minutes later Mackay was booked for a foul on McKinlay. McKinlay retaliated and was fortunate only to be booked, as both managers dashed on to the park to try to calm things down.

The actions of Jocky Scott and Alex MacDonald had the desired effect and the remaining 18 minutes were calmly played out.

Jim Smith pulled a goal back for Dundee with a well-placed header, but any thoughts the home side had of retrieving a point at the death were wiped out when Smith tripped Robertson in the last minutes.

Wee John coolly converted the penalty.

Man of the Match-JOHN COLQUHOUN for his two well-taken goals.

Dundee - Geddes; Forsyth (Lawrence), McKinlay. McGeachie, Smith, Glennie, Shannon, Brown, Wright, Coyne, Angus.

Hearts - Smith; Kidd, Whittaker, S. Jardine, Berry, McPherson, Foster (Moore), Black, Colquhoun (I. Jardine), Mackay, Robertson.

Referee - E. Williamson, Renfrew.