Deasley Does It!

Dundee 2 Stranraer 1

Deasley 8 Lynch 67 Walker 28

Dundee recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they saw off Stranraer. In a hard fought game, Bryan Deasley and Simon Lynch were the heroes as the Dee’s were made to fight all the way by a well organised Stranraer side.

Manager Alan Kernaghan stayed with the same line up that recorded a 3-0 victory over Brechin the previous week, meaning 17-year-old Bryan Deasley kept his place up front alongside top scorer Simon Lynch.

Dundee started the game brightly, and could’ve scored early on. Kevin McDonald linked up well with Deasley to work the opening for a shot, but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Barry John Corr in the Stranraer goal.

Dundee continued the good passing through midfield and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring on 8 minutes with a well worked move. Callum MacDonald made his way down the right wing, before crossing the ball into Lynch. His lay off found Deasley who struck a powerful volley high past Corr from 16 yards out.

It was the first top team goal for the youngster, and was well deserved for all the hard work he’s put in since breaking into the first eleven.

Lynch should’ve doubled the Dundee lead soon after, but blazed over from six yards after the ball had been cleverly cut back to him.

Unfortunately for the supporters, Dundee’s good start to the game didn’t last, and they were soon put under pressure inside their own box. A looping header from Willie Martin ended up on the roof of the net, before Stranraer equalised on 28 minutes.

Bryan Gilfillan’s cross wasn’t properly cleared, and when Stephen Swift headed the ball back into the danger area, Scott Murray and Paul Dixon got in a mix-up leaving Paul Walker the simple task of knocking the ball into the empty net from 3 yards out.

The goal was the first Dundee have conceded in 2006, and brought an end to a great run of clean sheets for young ‘keeper Murray.

Dundee tried to get back into the game before half time, but the closest they came was a long-range effort from Callum MacDonald, which flashed past the post.

Stranraer came forward a lot more after the interval, and were very unlucky not to take the lead. The Dundee defence backed off Willie Martin, and that allowed him the time and space to curl in a right foot effort, which rebounded off the base of Murray’s left hand post.

Kernaghan brought on recent signing from Stranraer, Colin Marshall, to replace the largely ineffective Steven Robb after 63 minutes.

Dundee came back into the game and Lynch showed the Stranraer strikers how to finish after 67 minutes. Callum MacDonald dribbled out of defence once again to slip the ball into the path of Kevin McDonald. The youngster surged into the box before cutting the ball across to Lynch, who swept the ball home from the edge of the box.

The 23-year-old obviously didn’t let his first half miss affect him as he shot in his 11^th league goal of the season.

Stranraer boss Neil Watt made 3 substitutes and a number of tactical changes to try and get an equaliser, but despite a lot of possession, the Dundee backline was rarely troubled.

Next week sees Dundee travel to Airdrie United in the 4^th Round of the Scottish Cup.

Don’t forget the next Glasgow Dee’s monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday 1^st February, at The Old Printworks, North Fredrick Street. All local Dee’s are welcome to attend – 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start.

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

Dundee: Murray, Robertson, Dixon, Mann, C. MacDonald, Smith, K. McDonald, Brady, Lynch, Deasley (Craig 75), Robb (Marshall 63)

Subs not used: McCluskey, O’Reilly, Britton (gk)

Stranraer: Corr, Swift, Keddie, Henderson, Walker, Payne (Wingate 82), Dowie, Gilfillan (Aitken 86), Higgins, Hinds, Martin (Sharp 86)

Subs not used: Morrison (gk)

Referee: D. McDonald

Attendance: 3134