Dee improve after break to sink Sons
DUNDEE boss Paul Hartley praised his goal-hungry front players, who turned disaster into delight in their first competitive home game of the season.
Dundee turned round at the interval 2-1 down against Dumbarton but lashed in five after the break to declare their interest in the new- look League Cup.
“I know the fans were unhappy with our first-half performance – and they let us know – but that happens at this time of year,” reflected Hartley. “But the second half was a big improvement.
“I thought the middle-to-forward part of the team were excellent, and it shows what the side is capable of.
“We enjoyed having Greg Stewart back, with that great left foot of his.
“We missed him but we can see things coming together now.”
Sons boss Stephen Aitken saw his players match Dundee in the first half before collapsing late on.
He said: “I thought the final score was harsh on the players. We did really well and caused them problems early on but lost our legs a bit late on.”
Although it looked an agreeableenough assignment at the start, Dundee seemed determined to turn their League Cup section into the Group of Death.
After bringing back a single point from their day-one trip to Methil, they did everything in their power to end their interest as soon as possible.
Dumbarton – 6-1 outsiders on the day – quickly realised the Dens men had a poor case for the defence, despite their Premiership status.
Dundee were woeful at the back early on in the game, with goalkeeper David Mitchell and centre-backs Darren O’Dea and Julien Etxabeguren looking like complete strangers.
As soon as the Sons had clocked the frailty, they were firing centres in from left and right – and the more they came, the more complex the problems.
Dumbarton’s first goal, a close-in ricochet off Frazer Wright, came after a hopeful ball into the box produced a good old fashioned stramash in front of Mitchell.