Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McGowan keeps Dee on course
Betfred progress in Dark Blues’ hands against ICT
THE result and display was far from perfect but another two points via shootout success means James McPake’s Dundee are in a good position for Betfred Cup progression.
Following Saturday’s 4-2 bonus point penalty shootout win over Peterhead at Dens Park, Dundee have their Group D fate in their own hands when Inverness come calling to the City of Discovery on Sunday.
Another 0-0 draw in normal time against lower league opposition after last Wednesday’s spot-kick win at Cove Rangers is concerning.
However, what cannot be understated is the Dark Blues, as a new unit, look relatively solid and organised.
When it all comes together, as was seen in the Betfred-opening 3-0 win at Raith Rovers, they can be devastating.
Yes, they failed to register a shot on target against the League One Blue Toon on Saturday, but with more new faces to join the quality they already have, the Dee have a fine chance to start turning these draws into wins.
Essentially, given how early these group-stage ties come around, teams i n Dundee’s situation with a new manager and a host of new players can struggle to show what they are truly capable of against tough lower league opposition.
Premiership sides Hamilton, St Johnstone and St Mirren have found that out to their detriment in this competition so far this term.
Dundee, though, unlike the aforementioned teams, sit atop their section and have managed to find a way to keep clean sheets and win their shootouts, even if their last two 90-minute displays have left a lot to be desired.
At the weekend, Jim McInally’s Peterhead started the stronger with Dee goalkeeper Jack Hamilton and his back four having to deal with dangerous balls into the box in the opening moments.
However, it was 16-year-old Josh Mulligan, on his first Dark Blues start, who had the first clear-cut chance of the match.
Cutting in from the right, he poked an effort inches wide of Greg Fleming’s goal after just two minutes.
Former Dundee striker Derek Lyle came close for the visitors with a header on nine minutes before Dundee came into the game more as they got their foot on the ball.
On 18 minutes, Paul McGowan sprayed a delightful ball with the outside of his boot to Declan McDaid on the left and the former Ayr United winger curled narrowly wide.
Eight minutes later, it was Peterhead’s turn to threaten as Rory McAllister and Jack Leitch linked up with the latter curling around the post from the edge of the box.
Leitch had another shot deflected out for a corner before the talismanic McAllister had to go off injured.
That didn’t stop Leitch taking up the mantle, though, forcing Hamilton into a smart save on 38 minutes.
In the second half, Dundee had the first real opportunity of the second period on 55 minutes as Shaun Byrne saw his shot charged down inside the box.
McGowan then had a couple of efforts, a header and a curling strike, miss the goal frame as McDaid and Andrew Nelson also looked dangerous towards the last 10 minutes.
However, it was the Blue Toon who had the best chance of the match on 79 minutes as sub Ben Armour, unchallenged in the box, saw his shot foiled by Hamilton.
In the shootout, McDaid saw his opening effort saved before subs Craig Curran and Michael Cunningham, and Nelson, scored in reply to Willie Gibson and Aidan Smith as Leitch and Jamie Stevenson missed. Once again, it was McGowan who won the day.