Dundee 1
Clyde 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

Dundee continued their impressive start to the league season with a hard-fought victory over the Bully Wee to build on last weekend's away victory at Dingwall,

A solitary wonder goal from the on-form Mikael Antoine-Curier gave the Dens men all three points despite a few nervous moments late on as Clyde searched for the equaliser.

The team were bolstered by the double signing of Chris Pozniak and Darren Williams who impressed against Ross County in the season opener and both retained their place in the starting eleven. Gary Mackenzie and Bob Davidson both returned from injury to win a place on the bench although Colin Cameron, Darren Young and Craig McKeown remain sidelined.

Alex Rae's men struggled against Clyde last term but the bulk of the possession fell to the home side in the opening stages and Colin McMenamin would have been disappointed not to have found the back of the net when an early chance came from Michael Ohnesorge's slip, but the ball was collected from the feet of the forward by keeper David Hutton before firing wide from 18 yards. Scott Gemmell looked lively for the visitors as he raced forward onto a loose ball before being fouled by Eric Paton on the left wing. From the resultant free kick Pozniak cleared from Willie McLaren's effort.

Both managers were forced into substitutions as early as the 16th minute as Gary Mackenzie replaced David Cowan in a straight swap at the back while Roddy Mcl.ennan came on in place of Willie McLaren after the pair had picked up early, unrelated knocks.

Pozniak linked up with Gilhaney on the left before floating the ball into the area but McMenamin's header from six yards drifted out with Hutton advancing.

Clyde slowly began to claw themselves into the game as sub Mackenzie and Rab Douglas were forced to combine to keep out Gemell before Douglas was again in action to get down to hold Pat Clark's drive.

Pozniak and Mackenzie then ran agonisingly close with headers from Freddie Daquin and Paul McHale's corners respectively as play then switched with Douglas holding Ohnesorge's free kick.

Home fans thought their team had won a penalty for the second week in a row as Curier looked to be upended in the area but referee Steve Conroy instead ruled offside rather than a spot-kick.

However the home fans were on their feet in the 44th minute as Curier struck to take his tally to three goals in three games. From Douglas' searching goal kick the Frenchman brought the ball down onto his chest before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top corner to give Dundee a deserved half time lead.

The opening stages of the second half showed a Clyde side willing to battle and Stuart Kettlewell's shot from Billy Gibson's lay-off stated their intentions.

Gemell then set about unsettling the home defence but his effort ran past a helpless Dougias, along the six yard box and out for a goal kick.

Malone's forward run from defence found Gilhaney whose shot skims just wide from edge of the box. Paton's long free kick from inside his own half was headed across goal by Mackenzie but Curier just failed to make contact when sliding in at the back post.

Gary McSwegan then replaced Scott Gemell while Colin McMenamin made way for Bob Davidson to make his return from injury.

John Brown's men continued to chase the game and Pat Clarke's low drive had the beating of Douglas but ran inches wide. Clark then had the opportunity to make up for his earlier miss but this time a shot was matched by Douglas. Clyde new-bay Trouten whipped a free kick into the box with Gibson connecting but his header down looked goal bound but for Douglas who pulled off a great save with his legs.

As Dundee looked to run the clock down Trouten saw his in-swinging corner well held by Douglas before a barrage of men in dark blue raced to prevent sub David Mackay claiming a point.

Match report written by Tommy Young - Dundee Matchday Programme