Dundee Football Club Season 1961-1962
Championship season
Game Two.
Saturday 9th September 1961
Dundee had Tannadice Terriers On Lead
The crowds have been streaming to Dens Park for the Dundee - Dundee United “derby” for about an hour before kick – off time.
The morning’s bright sunshine has disappeared behind clouds, but it is a pleasant afternoon. The atmosphere’s electric as the teams take to the field.
Dundee --- Liney; Hamilton; Cox; Seith; Ure; Stuart; Smith; Penman; Gilzean;
Cousin; Robertson.
Dundee United--- Ugolini; Graham; Briggs; Neilson; Smith; Fraser; Carlyle; Gillespie;
Mochan; Irvine; McDonald.
Referee --- J. Stewart, Paisley.
Dundee are first to attack, but it’s Liney who’s in action first --- to collect a Ure pass-back.
Stuart lobs a high ball into the United goal, but there are no takers. Robertson gets in a cross, but again the threat is blunted. Five minutes gone and McDonald starts a promising move, but Neilly Mochan is too slow. He’s in Ure’s pocket!
United get a free when Hamilton brings down McDonald. Ure rises to head clear. The Tannadice defence is under pressure.
Alex Stuart is sticking very close to Gillespie and Denis hasn’t had much opportunity to show his wiles. Stuart fires in a 25 yard shot in the 11th minute which Ugolini allows to rebound from his chest. There’s a desperate dash by PENMAN, Gilzean and a defender. Andy gets his boot to the ball and crashes it into the net.
Second blow
Two minutes later United’s hopes slump further. Gilzean cuts out to the left and lobs in a cross. SMITH meets it in mid-air to crash the ball high into the roof of the net with a right footed shot.
The Tannadice Terrors rally after the stunning blow. They press in on the Provost Road goal. Ure concedes a corner and then Cox heads off the line.
A Crackerjack
When Gillespie does get clear of young Stuart, he doesn’t make much of the chance. His shot for goal ends up near the corner flag. Carlyle nips infield to escape Cox. He passes a short ball to unmarked Gillespie, who cracks in a shot from 20 yards. It’s a crackerjack — bang on target this time — and Liney does well to save. Seconds later, Pat is clasping a long – ranger from Briggs.
Mochan is brought down on the edge of the home box. He takes a quick free, sliding the ball across to Carlyle. The winger’s shot peels the bar.
Graham just outpaces Cousin in a 50 yard sprint – with the ball between them –
towards the United goal. Robertson, a constant danger, sends over a lovely cross
which Penman heads narrowly past.
Play is at the other end again, where Ure slides the ball out of play for a corner from McDonald’s boot. Denis Gillespie comes into the game more as Alex Stuart relaxes his marking. Alex, is showing he’s an offensive defender.
A tragedy in 32 minutes for Briggs. A Robertson shot misses the goal and is going out. There are no Dundee players near, but BRIGGS, rushing in, puts the ball into his own goal.
One Off
Two minutes later and excitement is fever pitch. United fans’ caps go sky – high as their team reduces the leeway. Neilson starts the scoring move. His pass to Mochan goes on to GILLESPIE. Liney dives the wrong way and Denis’s shot is in the net.
Seconds later, Liney is leaping to save from Mochan. Five minutes from the interval and Ugolini gets down to save a magnificent Smith shot. Just on the whistle and United almost score a goal which could have been in the “magnificent, brilliant and miraculous” class.
Carlyle forces a corner. He takes the kick. Denis Gillespie is facing his own goal, but his overhead shot hits the bar. Denis finishes up on his back.
Half time ----- Dundee 3, Dundee United 1.
Reflections --- The fans are getting their money’s worth. It’s a great game, with Dundee fully deserving their lead and United fighting every inch of the way.
Honours are more evenly shared at the interval after Dundee being very much on top.