Dundee 1 – 0 Arbroath – Match Summary
Ladbrokes Championship – Game 06 – Season 2020 / 2021
Saturday 5th December 2020, Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park, Dundee, 3.00pm kick off
Arbroath made the short trip to Dundee yesterday for the 6th match of the season in the Scottish Championship.
Arbroath were able to welcome back Thomas O’Brien and David Gold to the starting line up after missing last week due to injury and suspension respectively but were still without Connor Smith and Scott Gallacher.
It was the familiar back 5 of Derek Gaston, Jason Thomson, Ricky Little, Thomas O’Brien and Colin Hamilton with Bobby Linn on the left wing, Michael Ruth on the right wing and James Craigen, Miko Virtanen in midfield with Dale Hilson playing up front.
The heavy rain over the past few days had left the Dens Park pitch heavy and slippery as Arbroath won the coin toss and attacked the Bobby Cox end in the first half.
As both sides settled into the game it was Dundee who were the first to go on the attack with Jordan Marshall’s shot being pushed away by Derek Gaston.
Former Dundee man Bobby Linn created Arbroath’s first real chance as he got the better of Christie Elliot before putting in a low cross just feet from the Dundee goal line but it evaded everyone with Michael Ruth just missing it at the back post.
However in the 18th minute Michael Ruth danced past Jordan Marshall, Lee Ashcroft and Shaun Byrne before forcing Jack Hamilton into a save which he could only parry away. The ball was fed back to Bobby Linn but Hamilton recovered and was able to catch Linn’s looping shot.
Arbroath weren’t getting many favours from the referee as Dale Hilson was bundled off the ball by Liam Fontaine at the edge of the box in the 25th minute.
Just two minutes later and Derek Gaston produced his first stunning save as he somehow kept out a close range shot from Elliot.
Ricky Little was booked for a foul on Shaun Byrne in the 29th minute but Dundee couldn’t capitalise from the free kick.
If Derek Gaston’s first save was good, then his second was even better. Paul McGowan laid the ball on a plate for Max Anderson to shoot from 10 yards out but Gaston again pulled off the save pushing the ball out for a corner kick.
Dundee did break the deadlock in the 35th minute and it was a stunning strike. Paul McGowan picked up the ball deep in the Arbroath half before being allowed to run across the pitch and just when it looked like he was out of space he somehow managed to shoot with the outside of his right foot across goal with Gaston unable to do anything about it.
As the match restarted Arbroath were forced into making a change with Miko Virtanen forced off with a hamstring injury with Michael McKenna coming on to replace the on-loan Aberdeen midfielder.
Just before half time and Dundee played a flowing move but the end shot was just wide.
Half Time – Dundee 1 – 0 Arbroath
Dundee started the second half strongly with Paul McGown and Alex Jakubiak both having strikes blocked before an Elliot cross from the right wing bounced off the Arbroath cross bar and then back into play.
A foul on Dale Hilson by Shaun Byrne allowed Dale Hilson to try his lock from 25 yards out but his free kick was blocked by the Dundee wall in the 51st minute.
Danny Mullen should have doubled Dundee’s lead in the 55th minute but his shot was just wide of the far post.
With just one goal in it, Arbroath were never out of the match and started to press Dundee higher up the pitch, something they failed to do in the first half.
On the hour mark Dale Hilson should have pulled Arbroath level as he brilliantly got in between Byrne and Fontaine but just as he pulled the trigger he seemed to slip and the ball went over Hamilton’s bar from 12 years out.
It was a sign though that chances could be made and minutes later Arbroath were denied a goal by an outstanding save from Jack Hamilton.
Jason Thomson out jumped everyone to bullet a header at goal from 6 yards but somehow Hamilton managed to push the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
Arbroath made two quick substitutions, with Scott Stewart coming on in the 67th minute for Michael Ruth before Luke Donnelly came on for Bobby Linn just 3 minutes later.
Michael McKenna’s low shot in the 76th minute was saved by Hamilton as Arbroath once again found space.
Former Dundee United striker Osman Sow came onto the field for Dundee in the 75th minute and just two minutes later was incredibly fortunate not be sent off. As he jumped in the air with Thomas O’Brien his elbow flew into the face of O’Brien leaving a nasty wound just above his left eye.
Sow was booked and O’Brien had to leave the field for stitches in the 75th minute. With the Lichties having made all 3 changes they had to carry on with just 10 men.
Dundee tried to break down the right wing but a fantastic clearance by Hilson broke up the attack.
Thomas O’Brien was able to return to action deep into injury time but his side were unable to get the goal they needed.
Full time – Dundee 1 – 0 Arbroath
A huge game at Gayfield on Saturday as Alloa Athletic make the trip north. With both part-time sides struggling for their first win after 6 games this could be a huge result for either side.
C’mon the Lichties
Match Stats
Possession – Dundee 58% – 42% Arbroath
Total Shots – Dundee 14 – 7 Arbroath
On Target – Dundee 4 – 3 Arbroath
Off Target – Dundee 2 – 2 Arbroath
Blocked – Dundee 8 – 2 Arbroath
Corners – Dundee 4 – 3 Arbroath
Fouls
Committed – Dundee 10 – 14 Arbroath
Dundee
1 – Jack Hamilton
16 – Christie Elliott
14 – Lee Ashcroft
4 – Liam Fontaine
23 – Jordan Marshall
8 – Shaun Byrne
26 – Charlie Adam (c)
24 – Max Anderson (Sow 75)
10 – Paul McGowan
9 – Danny Mullen
7 – Alex Jakubiak (McDaid 64)
Substitutes
2 – Cammy Kerr
3 – Jordan McGhee
5 – Jordon Forster
11 – Declan McDaid – 7; 64th
19 – Finlay Robertson
21 – Osman Sow – 24; 75th
12 – Calum Ferrie (GK)
Goal – McGowan 35
Yellow Cards – Adam 70, Sow 77
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
7 – David Gold
9 – Dale Hilson
11 – Bobby Linn (Donnelly 70)
16 – Michael Ruth (Stewart 67)
22 – Miko Virtanen (McKenna 37)
28 – James Craigen
Substitutes
6 – Mark Whatley
8 – Michael McKenna – 22; 37th
10 – Gavin Swankie
12 – Scott Stewart – 16; 67th
14 – Kris Doolan
15 – Luke Donnelly – 11; 70th
31 – Robert Douglas (GK)
Yellow Cards – Little 29, Hamilton 66
Officials;
Referee – Chris Graham
Assistant Referee 1 – David Roome
Assistant Referee 2 – Gordon McCabe
