FRUSTRATING DAY FOR DEES ENDS IN POINT AS STIRLING ARE DOOMED TO RELEGATION

Dundee 1-1 Stirling Albion.

Dundee had to dig deep again and come from behind to snatch a point against a plucky and attack minded Stirling Albion.

It was a fantastic sunny day at Dens Park and and both teams were vying for all three points. Stirling Albion knew anything other than a win would see them consigned to the Second Division for next season whilst Dundee knew a win would be a huge step in their ambitions to avoid the play off spot.

The first 15 minutes of the game was a cagey period from both sides as neither team had the upper hand. The youngsters Barlett, Rennie and Webster were allowed to settle into the team but there were no real clear cut chances in that period. Things came to life in the 23rd minute when a well struck shot by Stirling's  Smith was palmed away by Big Rab Douglas but it only went as far as Michael Mullen who prodded the ball into the back of the net. Stirling had somehow gained the lead.

Dundee looked slow and sluggish in their attempts to try and test the Stirling defence. The closest the Dark Blues came to an equaliser in the remaining period of the second half was a shot from Gary Harkins which clipped the outside of the post and went behind for a goal kick.

Half time came and with that was Ronnie McIntosh. He was a double amputee who had also had a kidney transplant and he race walked around the track much to the applause of the Dundee fans and also the Stirling support. It was indeed an inspiring and humble sight to see.

The second half and Stirling started brightly and pressed Dundee in the first minute of the second period. Dundee were still looking nervous but the switching of Barlett and Forsyth allowed Dundee more options going forward. Dundee began to get the ball on the deck and started playing football. Nicky Riley was a constant pest on the right wing for the Dees and was much inspiration for the Dundee attack. Leighton McIntosh tested Calum Reidford from 22 yards and he parried the ball away for a corner. From the corner,  O'Donnell struck a tremendous effort from 18 yards after Reidford flapped at the ball, and it hit the underside of the bar. Dundee were gaining momentum and it was only a matter of time surely before the Dark Blues were level.

Dundee were showing the kind of spirit that has been evident in the last six months and in the 50th minute, they were level. A wonderful run from Forsyth saw him skip into the box and just when it looked as if he was going to have a shot, he crossed the ball for McIntosh to guide into the back of the net. It was a goal Dundee deserved and it was also the youngester Leighton McIntosh's first goal for the club. That goal prompted Dundee to become more confident but when going forward they did leave the back exposed and on a couple of times, Stirling looked threatening on the counter. Midway through the second half and Webster who was excellent, was replaced by Alan Tulleth. The Dens faithful acknowledging Webster with a very warm round of applause. He had certainly worked his socks off and Barry Smith knew that too and gave the youngster a firm pat on the back.

Dundee looked for that winning goal but unfortunately the lads were beginning to run out of steam and shots by McHale and Mullen in the closing stages tested Dundee fans nerves.

There was one final chance for Dundee to win the match. A looping corner found Kyle Bendictus free in the box but his header went wildly over the bar. A big chance to be the hero but unfortunately it wasn't to be and the game ended 1-1.

Unfortunately, the final whistle confirmed Stirling Albion to relegation but they will go down with their heads held high and their performance today suggests a team defiant in the face of adversity. For Jocky Scott, I am sure it was a hard pill to swallow but he can be proud of his players who were superb today. We would like to wish Jocky Scott and Stirling Albion all the best for next season.

As for Dundee, we are now 4 points clear of Cowdenbeath with 4 to play. A tough game against Morton beckons next week but at least we will see the return of key players such as Gary Irvine, Rhys Weston and Craig McKeown. The players will do their damnest to avoid the play off spot and I am sure the fans will help them along the way too.



DUNDEE:

Douglas, Rennie, Benedictus, Lockwood, Bartlett, Riley, Webster (Tulleth 73), O'Donnell, Forsyth, Harkins, McIntosh

Subs not used: Gibson (gk), Carnegie, Hutcheon, Irons,

Booked: O'Donnell

Goal: McIntosh 50 min


STIRLING ALBION

Reidford, Doyle, Allison (Corrigan 63) Robertson, Forsyth, Kane (Stirling 85) McHale, Borris (Welsh 45) Brown, Mullen, Smith

Unused subs: Jackson (gk), Brighton

Booked: Robertson

Goal: Mullen 23

Referee: Gary Hilland

Attendance: 4,177

ON TARGET FOR ADMINISTRATION EXIT



Bryan Jackson.

 Dundee FC are on target to move out of administration by the end of the season according to joint admnistrator Bryan Jackson. Speaking to http://www.thedees.co.uk/, he said:

"“Although it may have appeared that the administration was at an end when the period for appealing the CVA was over there have, in fact, been a number of key issues which have had to be dealt with over the last few weeks.”
“Dundee FC Supporters Society (DFCSS) and I have been liaising with John Bennett, over the waiver of his share options to enable the supporters trust to acquire these shares and we are grateful to John for agreeing to do this.  Until the share options issue was resolved I was unable to access the funds raised by the supporter’s trust to start paying dividends to creditors but I can confirm that all of these stages are now nearing completion.” “In addition there have been a number of compliance and legal technicalities as well as the settlement of tribunal claims. I appreciate that there is a degree of urgency among the fans that the administration should end quickly but the process is complex and time consuming and I have been working with the DFCSS to ensure that we complete this work as quickly as possible . However, I believe that a realistic time scale for ending the administration is the end of the season. Whilst I, and the DFCSS, would prefer it be resolved sooner, I don’t realistically believe that all of the issues will be resolved before then. I would ask for patience and understanding that this cannot happen immediately but we are working hard to conclude all outstanding business as soon as possible.”

Source: http://www.thedees.co.uk/

photo (c) http://www.thedees.co.uk/

EX DEES CORNER: JAMES GRADY

James in his Dundee days.

James was born in Paisley on March 14th 1971. He started his footballing career with junior side Arthurlie before turning professional with Clydebank in 1994, where he spent three seasons, scoring 25 goals in 108 appearances for Bankies. In 1997, he earned a move to Dundee and was signed by the then Dundee boss John McCormack. He would remain at Dens for the next three seasons and became a firm fans favourite with the Dens faithful. He was a major player in the 1997/8 promotion season and endeared himself to the Dundee supporters with a fantastic volley against Dundee United at Tannadice in the closing stages of their match in 1998, the first season Dundee were back in the Premier League. In his time at Dundee, he would score 23 goals, clinch promotion from the First Division and help Dundee claim their highest placed finish in the top Scottish league in years, 5th.
His time at Dens ended in 2000 when he moved to Ayr United.  Strangely enough, he again woud spend three years at Somerset Park and would score 14 goals in his 80 appearances for the Ayrshire club. In 2003, he moved to Glasgow and joined Partick Thistle. This time, it was only a short stay and after one season making 33 appearances and scoring 15 goals for the Maryhill side, he joined Dundee United in 2004. This spell would mark a very unsuccessful stint in his career, although he made 29 appearances for the Tannaidce side, he only scored twice. In 2005, he was offered an escape route from United with Gretna FC. They were a team on the up and under the ownership of Brooks Mileson, they were spending and investing money and they were quickly running through the divisions of the SFL.  James spent three years with the Borders side and even managed to help them to the SPL in 2007 where he made 62 appearances scoring 19 goals and also helped them to the Scottish Cup Final in 2006 where they narrowly lost to Hearts at Hampden on penalties. He would also feel heartbreak at the Borders side as they were relegated form the SPL at the end of the 2007/8 season before going out of buisness as a professional football club. From there, Grady's career was slowly coming to an end and he spent short spells at Hamilton and Greenock Morton.
He was made caretaker manager of Greenock Morton after sacking of Davie Irons in 2009 and this was made permanent in October 2009. However his managerial spell at Morton would end in May 2010 when he left the club and currently he is helping out at St Mirren coaching the strikers.

For Dundee supporters, he will always be welcomed back to Dens. His tenaciousness, grit, speed and flair endeared him to the Dens faithful and he always gave his all for the club.


photo (c) http://www.website.limone.net/

JINKY IS NEW MONTROSE BOSS.

A big congratulations to ex Dundee player and assistant manager Ray Farningham who has been appointed the permanent boss of Montrose. He has been acting as caretaker manager for the past month since Steven Tweed relinquished the post in March. 

We at Dark Blue Forever would like to wish 'Jinky' all the best in his new position.

CRITICAL STAGE OF THE SEASON...

With Cowdenbeath beating Ross County during the week, there is now much more riding on this weekend's clash with Stirling Albion at Dens Park. Cowdenbeath are now just 4 points behind Dundee going into this weekend's fixtures but face a tricky tie against Raith Rovers at Starks Park. The game against Stirling Albion carries so much importance for Dundee. It is also the first time Jocky Scott has been back to Dens Park since his sacking as Dundee boss in March 2010. With Stirling virtually relegated, they will show no fear against Dundee and I am sure Jocky will have them set out with an attacking attitude. Suspensions sadly kick in for the Dees this weekend, with McKeown, Weston and Irvine all out but I am sure that Barry Smith will work his magic and the players will work their hardest in the approach to this game and hopefully by 16.45 on Sunday we will have the three points that we are craving for and will put us in a good position if Cowdenbeath lose to Raith on Saturday. I am sure the fans will do their bit again as they have been incredible. This is the crux of the season for Dundee and I am sure we will give our all to avoid the dreaded play-offs. In Barry Smith and the team I trust.

REFEREE BLUNDER(S) COSTS DUNDEE A POINT

RAITH ROVERS 2-1 DUNDEE



Dundee's unbeaten run came crashing down at Stark's Park this afternoon after a contentious decision from the referee in the build up to Raiths' winner.
Dundee started the game with youngsters Gary Bartlett and Connor Rennie both starting and in the early stages of the first half, Raith dominated but didn't really have any clear cut chances. Dundee's defence stood resolute but were lacking in terms of posession which Raith mopped up well.
It came as no surprise that just before the break, Raith Rovers when a Baird flick found Tade and he struck a low shot past Douglas at his near post, with protests from the Dundee fans of a handball from Tade in the process.
Half time came and went and Raith changed their keeper from McNeil to McGurn. Raith still bossed the early stages of the second half yet rarely did they look as if they could put this game to bed and this allowed Dundee hope. The Dees were still in the game. There was a lack of composure from the Raith side and this allowed Dundee to enter their best spell of the game and midway through the second half the Dees won their first corner. The ball was flighted in from O'Donnell and Bendictus glanced a header towards the top corner but McGurn superbly tipped the ball over the bar.
With 20 minutes to play, Dundee equalised. A great run from Connor Rennie saw his cross met by Stephen O'Donnell who flashed a shot from a tight angle past the Raith keeper. The Dundee fans went wild with delight in the stand behind that goal.
Dundee were more confident with their passing but never looked like grabbing a winner. An unfair second yellow for Craig McKeown meant that Dundee had to play the last 10 minutes or so with 10 men. For all the possession that Raith had, they never really looked like producing a winner.
A minute into stoppage time however, the referee awarded Raith a free kick and from that Dundee couldn't clear the ball and it was Walker who picked the ball up and lashed the ball off the underside of the bar and into the net. An unjust and disgraceful decision from the referee who ultimately cost Dundee a fair share of the spoils and that left Dundee with no time to respond.

Barry Smith had some heated words with the referee at full time and rightly so as the referee had a dreadful match but hey, that's football as they say.

The players at the full time whistle looked dejected but they were superbly given a standing ovation from the Dundee fans who had recognised they had given their all and had battled well throughout the match. The youngsters Rennie and Barlett who were drafted in did very well under difficult circumstances.

The players should be proud of the fantastic 23 game unbeaten run and we are truly proud of the players and their fantastic efforts.

Raith Rovers FC

McNeil (McGurn 45)

Wilson, Murray, Campbell, Hill

Walker, Davidson (Ferry 65), K McBride, S McBride (Weir 79)

Tade, Baird

Unused subs: Wales, Dyer

Goals: Tadé 43, Walker 89

DUNDEE FC

** Two yellow cards

Attendance: 3,143

Douglas

Benedictus, McKeown**, Weston, Lockwood

Rennie, Irvine, O’Donnell, Bartlett

Harkins, McIntosh

Unused subs: Gibson (gk), Tulleth, Webster, Carnegie, Hutcheon

Goal: O’Donnell 70

RAITH ROVERS V DUNDEE PREVIEW

Dundee head to league leaders Raith as they look to extend the fantastic 23 game unbeaten run and also to help secure their position in the division. Dundee remain unbeaten against the Kirkcaldy side this season after a 0-0 draw and 2-1 win at Dens with also a 2-1 win in Kirkcaldy.

Missing for Dundee this weekend is Nicky Riley and Craig Forsyth who are both suspended and Jake Hyde has gone to Dunfermline on amatuer terms. Dundee cannot field anymore trialists and so are going to have to look to some of the clubs youngsters to help pitch in in what will be a very difficult fixture tommorow.

Speaking to http://www.thedees.co.uk/, Barry Smith acknowledged that this was going to be a tough game.

"It's a difficult game" he told us "Raith are near the top of the league on merit. They've worked hard and have the points on the board, it will be a difficult test"

"We've got two suspended (Nicky Riley and Craig Forsyth) and and lost one (Jake Hyde) to someone else this week. As everyone knows we have a very young squad and we're going to have to rely on the young players to come in and do a job for us - We'll also need the backing of the support to help the young boys through it as well."


We are sure that there will be a great Dundee travelling support that will descend on Starks Park and will once again support the team in the manner in which they have done so this season.


Source/ quote: http://www.thedees.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsid=1588