Dundee 2
Stirling Albion 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

Barry Smith extended his fantastic unbeaten start to his managerial career as the Dee notched up another comfortable win. Dundee ignored the biting cold and mastered the slippy pitch to put in a fine professional performance that fully deserved all three points.

The Dee overcame a lively and ambitious start by the visitors but once they took charge there was never any doubt that all the points were staying at Dens.

Albion had wretched luck before the start, losing Chris Aitken and Brian Allison to injuries sustained in the warm up. The team lines had already been submitted to the referee and they had no option but to make two substitutions before the kick off; ex Dee Paul McHale and Greig McDonald coming into the starting line up.

The Binos seemed to have learned from Cowdenbeath's experience on Tuesday night and kept two men up front, who harried the Dundee defence and made it harder for the Dee to build patiently from the back.

The first 15 minutes were spent mainly in the Dundee half. Comvalius shot just wide from a difficult angle, and Rab Douglas did well to block a McDonld header from a corner. Douglas rescued Dundee again with another good save from Heeking after Lockwood had carelessly given the ball away.

Dundee had been having problems adjusting to the pitch, but gradually worked their way back into the game. Nicky Riley nearly scored from a beautiful Griffiths pass, but Christie foiled him with a fine save, the ball bouncing off Riley as he fell to the ground and trickling agonisingly wide of the post.

As the half wore on Dundee's dominance grew, and it was no surprise when they scored 10 minutes from the break. Higgins received a throw in, just outside the area. He touched the ball neatly on for Stephen O'Donnell to shimmy past the last defender and plant the ball past Christie in impressive style!

Leigh Griffiths' skill and non-stop movement were pulling the Albion defence all over the place. He combined beautifully with Higgins before crossing for Riley to volley wide.

Just before half time Stephen O'Donnell broke up an Albion move and hit a great pass for Griffiths to race down the left and into the box. Sparky's chip drifted over Christie and was heading for the net but Jonathan Brown managed to head the ball over before Riley could force it into the net. Sean Higgins had a free header from the corner, but failed to keep his header down.

If Dundee should have wrapped the game up just before the break, they took no time doing so after the restart. Albion midfielder Jerome Heeking caught his defence flat footed, passing back when they were expecting him to move forward. Leigh Griffiths pounced on the ball, rounded Christie and slammed the ball home as the defenders raced back to try and cover.

The pressure was now off Dundee and they saw the rest of the game out very comfortably. At times it seemed as if they wanted to walk the ball into the Albion goal as they kept possession for long spells, forcing the away team to chase shadows, and creating a host of chances.

Stephen O'Donnell very nearly scored a magnificent goal, chipping just wide from 18 yards after yet another great passing move. Christie saved well from Forsyth's rasping 20 yarder, and the ball bounced frustratingly along the six yard line with no-one following up to tap it home.

O'Donnell was next to drive into the area, but Christie thwarted him with another good save. The Stirling keeper was having a great game, and deserved his luck when he spilled a Griffiths rocket round the post.

Jonathan Stewart was sent on for the last half hour, replacing Nicky Riley on the right. The midfield didn't miss a beat, continuing their dominance with the new boy slotting in neatly.

Leigh Griffiths was substituted in injury time to a huge ovation. The unfortunate Leighton McIntosh didn't have the chance to get anywhere near the ball before the referee called time on a very solid and competent win for the Dee.

Every part of the team gave their all, yet again, and Dundee's strength was in their ability to harness individual talents, such as Harkins and Griffiths into a highly effective team performance. Barry Smith deserves great credit for the way he is getting the best out of the players and for introducing a pleasing, attractive passing game that suits them well.

Stephen O'Donnell was rightly chosen as the sponsor's man of the match. As well as a classy goal, he bossed the midfield; winning the important tackles, being available to take simple balls from team mates, and making an endless succession of accurate passes. His patience and positional sense makes it far easier for the more flamboyant Harkins to attack from midfield, and the pair were far too good for Stirling to handle.

Leigh Griffiths had trouble keeping his feet at first but came on to an outstanding game. As well as his constant goal threat, he was always ready to drop deep, taking part in passing moves and setting up chances for others. He has built a fine partnership with Sean Higgins, whose linking with other players kept many attacks going.

Regardless of what the Scottish Football League might choose to do to Dundee the spirit of these players will not be broken! At the end they were applauded off the field by the fans.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website