Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dundee stunned
DESPAIRING Dundee were left red-faced by superb Ross County as they were embarrassed on their own patch by the Premiership’s bottom team.
The Staggies arrived at Dens Park looking for their first league win of the campaign and took apart a woefully under-par Dark Blues, romping into a 4-0 half-time lead.
The opening half was spectacularly bad from the hosts and got worse in the second 45 as Regan Charles-Cook notched his second of the game to finish the scoring at 5-0.
The man who earned a point at Tynecastle with a late equaliser, Jason Cummings, made his first start alongside Leigh Griffiths in two changes for the Dark Blues.
He replaced Luke McCowan while Max Anderson missed the game through illness. Experience wasn’t a problem in his replacement, however, as Paul McGowan took his spot in the middle of the park.
The visitors made a couple of changes themselves but starting was former Dee Ross Callachan as the Staggies targeted their first victory of the season.
Former Dundee United pair Blair Spittal and Keith Watson started on the bench for Malky Mackay’s side.
Ahead of kick-off there was a minute’s silence for the passing of Scottish football great Walter Smith, impeccably observed by all at Dens Park.
The opening 10 minutes were pretty low-key with very little goalmouth action at either end.
That changed soon after as Charlie Adam brought a sprawling save from County goalie Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
After that, it was one-way traffic in the opposite direction.
On 18 minutes the home crowd were left dumbstruck by the opening goal for the visitors.
A long ball was left by Joseph Hungbo, who looked in an offside position, and caught out left-back Jordan Marshall.
That hesitation allowed Harry Clarke in behind and the full-back made no mistake with the outside of his foot.
The right flank was causing the Dark Blues plenty of problems and they were fortunate not to be further behind as
Charles-Cook sent an effort over from that side.
They did fall two behind before the half-hour mark and it’s not a moment Dens goalkeeper Adam Legzdins will look back on fondly.
The keeper has been Mr Reliable this term for Dundee but had a moment to forget as his clearance careered off Jordan White.
The ball fell perfectly for former Dee Callachan to stroke into the net.
Dundee couldn’t get any possession of the ball, were unable to hurt the Staggies or get Griffiths involved at all as the