Hamilton Academical 1
Dundee 1
League (Championship)

Match Report

Dundee drew 1-1 at Hamilton this afternoon, dropping two points in a game they totally dominated. Connor Smith gave Accies an early lead and the home side were hardly seen in attack after that. Hamilton managed to hold out until Jordan McGhee headed an equaliser late in the first half. Constant pressure from the Dark Blues in the second half failed to produce the winner with home keeper Ryan Fulton pulling off a series of fine saves.

Dundee made two changes from the team that beat Queen’s Park last week. Ben Williamson kept his place after coming off the bench and scoring, and Josh Mulligan started after completing his suspension. They replaced Lyall Cameron and Paul McMullan, who were on the bench.

An untidy game offered little of interest in the opening exchanges. That changed dramatically after five minutes. Dundee failed to deal with an innocuous high ball bouncing through the midfield. Connor SMITH helped himself and thrashed a spectacular rising shot into Adam Legzdins’ top corner from 30 yards.

The early goal was a mixed blessing for Accies. Their confidence certainly got a huge boost, and they were snapping enthusiastically into their challenges. That made life difficult for the Dee, but Accies also created problems for themselves by sitting deep and abandoning the midfield. They started with three at the back, which quickly became five with a bank of four right in front of the defence.

The Dark Blues were able to launch an endless successsion of attacks, but far too often these ended with a loose cross or pass.

Dundee gradually began to attack with more composure, finding better final balls, but without setting up clear chances.

There were numerous scrambles deep in the penalty area, but the Dee were never able to force the ball over the line.

The Dark Blues might have had a penalty midway through the half. Kwame Thomas was pulled back by his shirt as he ran into the penalty area. Seconds later Ben Williamson was fouled from behind outside the box but the referee played advantage. Williamson kept going before another touch put him down.

Finally the Dark Blues got it right, after 38 minutes. Luke McCowan took a throw quickly on the right, giving Sam Fisher space to cross. The delivery was perfect and Jordan McGHEE timed his run to score with a powerful near post header.

Dundee could, and should, have scored again before the break. McCowan won the ball outside the penalty area but Ryan Fulton pulled off the first of a series of excellent saves from his low drive.

There was huge scramble in Hamilton’s goalmouth following a corner but Accies escaped. In injury time Josh Mulligan missed a good chance in front of goal, heading over McCowan’s cross.

Hamilton may have been too deep, but their inexperienced wing backs were often caught out of position. Accies reorganised into a back four, with the young left back substituted. That was a wise decision, because Paul McMullan came on at half time for Josh Mulligan.

Accies were more secure at the back in the second half, but they could do nothing in midfield to stem the waves of Dark Blue attacks.

Paul McMullan’s curling 20 yarder was narrowly off target, and the winger whipped over a fine free kick that almost brought the second goal. Kwame Thomas’s far post header looked on its way into the net, but Fulton saved superbly. Thomas then made way for Alex Jakubiak whose strength, skill and control gave Accies fresh problems.

After 74 minutes Dundee made three further substitutions, sending on Ryan Clampin, Max Anderson and Lorent Tolaj for Sam Fisher, Ben Williamson and Luke McCowan.

The Dee had another good shout for a penalty when Ryan Sweeney was pushed from behind following a corner. The ball broke to Cammy Kerr whose shot from 18 yards flew past the post.

The endless pressure seemed sure to produce a goal, but Fulton denied the Dee again with an excellent save at full stretch from McMullan’s 25 yard free kick.

Fulton surpassed his previous saves with a remarkable reflex stop after 86 minutes. A clearance cannoned off Sweeney in front of goal and Fulton somehow to keep the ball out.

The game ended with the Dee on the attack and Lorent Tolaj heading over from Kerr’s cross.

This was a frustrating afternoon for the Dee who controlled the game throughout against a home side who often pulled every man back into the final third.

It could easily have turned into an easy and decisive win for the Dark Blues if only they could have broken through to take the lead. As in many other matches this season Dundee couldn’t turn dominance into vital goals when they needed them. Ryan Fulton might have had an outstanding game but the Dark Blues should nevertheless have won convincingly today.

Dundee didn’t create as many chances as they should have done, and failed to convert most of the chances they did create. This was a game that only one side was going to win, and the Dark Blues couldn’t quite find the guile, quality, or luck to take the three points they would have deserved.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website