Dee’s Cruise Into the Quarters

Dundee 2 Airdrie United 0

Deasley 8

Lynch 71

Dundee produced one of their best performances of the season to coast into the Quarter finals of the Scottish Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over ‘jinx’ team Airdrie United.

There were two changes to the starting line up after Saturday’s defeat to Queen of the South. Stuart McCluskey replaced the cup-tied Colin Marshall with Barry Smith moving to midfield, and Kelvin Jack replaced Scott Murray in goal. Manager Alan Kernaghan named himself on the bench for the first time.

Dundee started the game in positive fashion and could’ve been one up after only 5 minutes. Garry Brady’s inswinging cross seemed to be missed by everyone and Stephen Robertson had to look alert to push the ball away from the onrushing Scott Robertson.

As it was though, the home crowd only had to wait another three minutes before Dundee opened the scoring. Bryan Deasley latched on to a forward header from Bobby Mann and ran at goal. He did well to hold off the challenges of two Airdrie United defenders to clip the ball past Robertson.

Dundee continued to dominate and could’ve extended their lead before half time. Simon Lynch screwed a shot wide from eight yards out and Kevin McDonald’s eighteen yard effort was deflected narrowly over the bar.

The pressure continued after the break with long range efforts from Brady, McDonald and Dixon narrowly missing the Airdrie goal. Dixon also came close with a swerving free kick, and goalkeeper Robertson made a cracking save from a Bobby Mann header.

The closest Airdrie came was a failed penalty appeal after Bryan Prunty went down under a challenge from McCluskey, and an off target effort from McPhee, but Kelvin Jack didn’t have one save to make during the whole game.

The tie was sealed after 72 minutes when Paul Dixon stormed down the left wing before crossing inch perfect for Lynch to side foot home.

O’Reilly replaced Deasley late on and the young striker got a standing ovation for a superb performance. In truth though, every Dundee player deserved the standing ovation they got at the end of the game, every single one of them played out of their skins to reach the quarters.

Dundee will now play Hamilton away in the next round. The game being played on Saturday 25^th February with a 3pm kick off.

Dundee’s next game is the away League game versus Clyde on Saturday 18^th February.

Man of the Match – Email Syd with your votes for Man of the Match sydeefc62@btinternet.com

Dundee: Jack, Robertson, Dixon, Mann, C. MacDonald, Smith, K. McDonald, Brady, Lynch, Deasley (O’Reilly 80), McCluskey

Subs not used: McManus, Hendry, Kernaghan, Murray (gk)

Airdrie United: Robertson, McKenna, Lovering (Dunn 85), McGowan (Docherty 46), McManus, Holmes, McDougall, McKeown, Prunty, McPhee, McLaren

Subs not used: Barkey, Coyle, Hollis (gk)

Referee: C. Mackay

Attendance: 3824