Steelmen electrify despite surface tension
ANYONE arriving at Dens Park yesterday and seeing the poor state of the pitch would almost certainly have discounted the chances of witnessing a five-goal thriller.
That though is exactly what occurred as Motherwell came from behind to secure victory.
The Dark Blues looked to be in total control after Jordan McGhee and Luke McCowan had given them a 2-0 lead.
However, the Steelmen stormed back with goals from Georgie Gent, Theo Bair and then deep in stoppage-time, substitute Moses Ebiye netted the winner.
The game was overshadowed by the furore regarding the state of the Dens Park playing surface which was only deemed playable after two game-day inspections.
Despite that, there were still heavily-sanded areas in front of both dug-outs and in one goalmouth.
Dundee made one change from the team that beat St Johnstone 2-1 at McDiarmid Park last Saturday with defender McGhee replacing Owen Dodgson.
The Steelmen also made one alteration to their starting line-up from last weekend’s draw with St Mirren, Shane Blaney coming in for Stephen O’Donnell, who was named as a replacement.
The playing surface may have been questionable but Dundee started looking like they were determined to play their passing football regardless.
The Steelmen were pinned back in the opening stages although they did create a half chance in the 11th minute but Blair Spittal could not take advantage, with a fresh-air shot inside the Dundee box.
Spittal then caused consternation inside his own box when he did the same thing trying to clear a corner with the pitch undoubtedly playing a part but thankfully for Motherwell, he managed to do so at the second time of asking.
The Steelmen’s Liam Kelly then had to look lively as Dark Blues striker Amadou Bakayoko raced onto a Scott Tiffoney through ball with the goalkeeper snuffing out the danger at the edge of his penalty area.
Dundee continued to press with Lyall Cameron whipping in a dangerous cross from the left but there were no takers in a dark blue jersey and Kelly made a comfortable catch.
Motherwell had an opening of their own in the 26th minute but Adam Devine could not direct his header on target with the ball flying well over Dundee keeper Jon McCracken’s crossbar.
The hosts then had an opportunity when a McCowan free-kick was headed back across goal towards Mexican defender Antonio Portales, but he hit his shot into the side netting.
Dundee had another half chance when the ball fell kindly for Cameron at the edge of the Motherwell box but his measured shot was blocked by a defender.
However, the hosts did finally take the lead shortly after in the 36th minute. Cameron sent a cross into the box with Bakayoko heading across goal to McGhee, who powered home a header at the back post.
Motherwell had a chance to hit straight back when Bair teed up Jack Vale inside the home box but the front man dragged his shot well wide when he should have at least hit the target.
Instead, Dundee went in at half-time deservedly in front and ironically considering all the controversy over the pitch, it was the gusty wind that was causing the players most problems.
Motherwell started the second half on the front foot with Gent sending a dangerous ball into the Dundee box towards Bair but McCracken made an easy save.
Bair then raced through on goal but sent his dinked shot wide.
Motherwell tails were up and Spittal manufactured space for himself on the edge of the home penalty area but his well-struck shot inched just over the bar.
Spittal was at the heart of everything for the Steelemen and he featured again when he cut a low cross back for Vale but despite having time and space, the striker blasted high.
Dundee finally created a clearcut chance of their own but McCowan sent his low 20-yard shot inches wide of Kelly’s left-hand post.
However, the midfielder doubled Dundee’s advantage in the 70th minute. McCowan fired an inswinging corner from the right which flew over Kelly and into the net at the back post. The Motherwell players appealed for a free-kick but after a VAR check, the goal was given.
However, the game was turned on its head in two minutes.
VAR intervened once more with a penalty check for handball against Joe Shaughnessy in the 79th minute. Referee David Dickinson was called to the pitchside monitor and he pointed to the spot.
Bair stepped up with McCracken making a superb save but Gent reacted to rifle home the rebound.
Incredibly, the Steelmen equalised two minutes later when Bair twisted and turned on the edge of the box, beating McCracken, before finding the back of the net.
The hosts were rocking and Bair had two chances to give his side the lead but couldn’t take them.
However, Motherwell scored their third to seal an incredible win in the 93rd minute when sub Ebiye fired home past McCracken to the joy of the travelling support.
DUNDEE (3-5-2): McCracken; Portales, Shaughnessy, Donnelly; Costelloe, Cameron (Robinson 90), Sylla, McCowan, McGhee; Tiffoney (Mellon 68), Bakayoko. Subs (not used): Sharp, Legzdins, Dodgson, Astley, Robinson, Robertson, Boateng, Mutale.
MOTHERWELL (3-4-1-2): Kelly; Blaney, McGinn,
Casey; Devine (O’Donnell 46), Zdravkovski (Ebiye 74), Halliday (Miller 74), Gent; Spittal; Vale, Bair.
Subs (not used): Oxborough, Mugabi, Shaw, Nicholson, Ross, Butcher. Booked: None.
Referee: David Dickinson.
Attendance: 5,924.