The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Zach attack on course for his Christmas gift
Dundee 2 Raith Rovers 0
Dundee top scorer Zach Robinson isn’t happy he finished the match against Raith Rovers with only two goals.
The on-loan AFC Wimbledon marksman is determined to add more to his eight-goal tally this season.
He was set a target of double-figures by Christmas by manager Gary Bowyer prior to Saturday’s match and he’s on track to reach that after the weekend brace.
It could have been more at Dens on Saturday, too, with team-mate Josh Mulligan denying a chance to head in a hat-trick goal by getting to the ball first.
And Robinson was quick to let his feelings known to his fellow Dee.
“Yes, I have had a word with him about that,” Robinson said.
“I was visibly frustrated but it is good that he wants to score goals as well. As a team it was a very good performance – I wouldn’t say comfortable but it was very solid.
“I think it was a good performance all round from everyone. Obviously I got two goals, we won the game and got a clean sheet so I am very happy.”
Robinson now has seven strikes in the Championship and has double the tally of his nearest challenger in the Dundee squad.
It may only be November but he is already closing in on the top scorers in previous seasons.
The last time the Dark Blues were promoted, in 2020-21, Osman Sow and Jason Cummings both got eight league goals each.
Kane Hemmings managed 10 the season before while in the top flight Danny Mullen got seven last season, Kenny Miller eight in 2018-19 and Sofien Moussa managed 14 league goals the season before.
With four games to go before Christmas, Robinson could already be the top scorer Dundee have had in years.
He said: “I always want to score goals. I am never happy with two, I want to get three and if I get three I want four.
“The manager and I were just talking about scoring goals and hitting double figures by Christmas is something you want. Hopefully I can make it. I am on track so I just have to keep at it.”
The Dark Blues hadn’t managed to put back-toback wins together in the league since August but they were well worth this success.
The two sides were level on points at kick-off but this was a comfortable performance in the end for Dundee as they sent their fans home happy.
Robinson proved the difference with a penalty and then a close-range rebound on 49 and 54 minutes.
Dundee started slowly with Raith Rovers slick in possession in the early stages. But it was the home side who went closest in the opening 45 as Robinson saw a shot strike one post, hit goalkeeper Jamie Macdonald and then come out off the other upright.
There was no waiting about in the second half for the opening goal, however, as referee Grant Irvine pointed to the spot after Ben Williamson’s shot struck Scott Brown’s arm.
Robinson stepped up to stroke home before adding a second five minutes later.
His first effort was brilliantly saved by Macdonald but the on-loan Wimbledon man was there to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
Dundee had chances late on to put more gloss on the scoreline but had to settle for 2-0.
Robinson was mystified after his effort on goal hit both posts but still stayed out of the net.
He doesn’t quite understand how the ball didn’t find a way in.
“I don’t know how that is physically possible!” he said. “To hit the post, go all the way across the line and then come back off the other post was quite unlucky.
“But you hope to get another chance and thankfully I did.”
The 2-0 victory over Rovers sees Dundee now six games unbeaten and having won back-to-back games for the first time since August.