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Match Reports

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Dundee v's Dunfermline,

Scottish Premier League,

21st February,2001, Dens Park.

Team:-         Dundee.

Rocatti, Smith, Coyne, Morocco,

Carranza, Rae, Artero,

Milne, Falconer, Cannigia.

Subs:- Langfield, Wilkie, Russo, Yates, Del Rio.

Attendance:- 6,900.

    This was a very important match for both teams with the league splitting in a few weeks and it started nervously with both teams feeling each other out. Dunfermline had the best of the first 15 minutes but really only forced 2 corners from it. The game came to life shortly after when Dunfermline attacked and the ball was played to Nicholson 20 yards from goal, he let fly but the shot was going nowhere until it took a deflection and wrong footed Rocatti and ended up in the Dundee net. He celebrated by gesturring to the away support but  the referee only spoke to him which after Sara's booking a couple of week's ago show's the inconsistency in refereeing this season. It was the first real chance either team had made and was tough on the home team who had started to settle with the new players in the team. Dundee pushed forward looking for the equalizer but time after time their passing and final ball let them down. Skinner was lucky to stay on the park when a through ball was played and he deliberately handled the ball but the referee waved play on and did not speak to the player which caused uproar in the stands. Carranza looked hungry and he was giving the Dunfermline defence problems with his pace as was Cannigia who again showed some of his wonderfull ball control to carve out a chance for Falconer but his header was weak and the keeper saved it. Falconer again had  a chance soon after as he turned his marker and hit a shot which the keeper turned away brilliantly for a corner.

The game was halted shortly after when the referee had to leave the field with what looked like a broken or dislocated finger after being hit by the ball accidentally. This made little difference to the home teams play which was further hampered when both Carranza and Milne had to leave the field with injuries 5 minutes before half time, Wilkie and Yates came on with Wilkie playing in central midfield alongside Rae.

HALF TIME:- 0-1.  

The second half started with Dundee having a lot of possession but not penetrating the Dunfermline defence, the players looked devoid of ideas and too many of them were static and not trying to create space for themselves. Cannigia was coming deeper and deeper looking for the ball and on one of these forry's he got the ball to Artero who beat two defenders but wasted the cross by putting the ball out. The next chance Artero had was well created, he beat two defenders and crossed into the box but the danger was cleared. Dundee now were creating more chances and the equaliser should have came through Wilkie, he played a neat one-two with Cannigia and broke into the box drawing the keeper to him, all he had to do was square the ball to Falconer to score but instead he tried to beat the keeper and failed wasting the best opportunity of the match for Dundee.

    Dunfermline were defending well and trying to hit on the counter attack but other than a few weak headers and one misguided long range effort from Ferguson, Rocatti had little to do in this half. Bonetti brought on Russo to try and get the midfield more involved, moving Wilkie into the back four but this had little impact as Russo too often passed back or sideways which was not entirely his fault as their was little support from around him. He nearly got the equaliser when he beat two players and hit a firm shot which the keeper did well to hold with Cannigia waiting to pounce on any mistake. The game peetered out with Dunfermline quite content to defend and hold onto what they had and Dundee unable to create any clear chances, overall it was a disappointing result as Dunfermline were very poor . Although Dundee had key players missing in Tweed, Sara and Nemsadze, this result shows we lack depth in the squad and Ivano Bonetti needs a couple of more players to bolster the squad.

Full Time:- Dundee-0, Dunfermline-1.   

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Hearts v,s Dundee

Scottish Cup 4th Round

18th February 2001 Tynecastle

Team:-          Dundee

Rocatti, Smith, Tweed, Coyne, Morocco

Carranza, Rae, Nemsadze, Artero

Caniggia, Sara.

Subs:- Langfield, Del Rio, Yates, Milne,

Attendance:- 9,970.

    Hearts started this game in the knowledge that they had not been beaten in the Scottish Cup at home for over 10 years, but Dundee were not about to let that bother them.

    The game started at a fast pace but the football was not great. With Hearts pushing forward through Cameron and Boyack who received a frosty reception from part of the away support, they seemed to pose the biggest threat and the home team had most of the possession in the opening 20 minutes without creating any clear cut chances. Juanjo was trying to create down the right but Morocco who had returned from injury was managing to keep him in check.

    Dundee took the lead slightly against the run of play after 30 minutes, the ball was floated into the box and Cannigia flicked it on into the path of Sara who stroked it onto the net, this was Sara's 14 th of the season. 

    This stung Hearts into an immediate response with Boyack breaking practically from the re-start only for Chris Coyne to bundle him down in the box, Referee Dallas pointed to the spot and no one was going to argue. Cameron stepped up to take the penalty but he scuffed it and Rocatti dived to his left to parry it away and then got up to save the rebound. Dundee had came into the match at this point with Rae and Artero prominent but they could not create any other chances in the first half.

HALF TIME 

     The second half started with the home team pushing forward to get the equalizer but as play raged on it seemed like it was not to be Hearts day as on the hour mark Marrocco almost knocked the ball into his own net but Tweed was their to clear his line, only for the ball to fall to Juanjo but he somehow hit his effort over from 5 yards. Hearts were looking sharper now but still they couldn't get the goal, Cameron shot wide and Boyack had an effort go wide. 

    Dundee should have had a penalty when Gavin Rae burst into the box and was brought down by Tomashek but referee Dallas waved play on to the amazement of the away fans.

    Gary Wales who had been out for 10 months made his return as a substitute but he only lasted for 20 minutes before he pulled a hamstring and had to go off . Hearts finally equalized with 10 minutes to go, the ball was played into the box and Juanjo picked it up, he mis-hit his first shot but when it rebounded to him off Tweed he made no mistake the second time hammering the ball passed Rocatti.

    Four players were booked, Cameron and Tomashek for Hearts and Rae and Sara for Dundee.

    A draw was just about the right score and both teams will have to do it again in a replay.

 Full Time:- Hearts,1  Dundee,1 

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Continued