Clyde v Dundee

Recap

Clyde looked to continue their recent good form, and perhaps get revenge for not taking something from the corresponding fixture earlier in the season at Dens against a team undefeated since the return of Jocky Scott.

Kettlewell’s injury meant that Mark Brown filled in as a defensive midfielder, and Ricky Waddell took over at left back in the only change from the starting line-up since the victory over Montrose.

The early pattern of play saw both teams attempt to try and patiently play through the middle, but Dundee would probably feel they had the initiative, especially down their right with the impressive Shinnie and Paton and troubling makeshift left-back Waddell.

The first real chance of the half came on 18 minutes when, after a dubious free kick was awarded in Dundee’s favour, Paton swung over a great delivery to the unmarked MacKenzie who from 8 yards out could only volley straight at Hutton.

Clyde responded quickly, with McLaren forcing Douglas into two saves in quick succession, firstly from an inventive 18 yard volley, then with a drive from 20 yards after he had broke free and Clyde had a three on two advantage, with Clarke and McKay well placed as options.

Plenty of huff and puff from both sides but limited goalmouth action, with Dundee possibly enjoying more possession, and Clyde looking tentative.

The second half brought far more incident. O’Brien for Dundee was thwarted by Hutton in spectacular fashion, and up the other end Clarke was unlucky when he nipped in between McKeown and Douglas, but the ball broke kindly for Dundee.

With 25 minutes to go Gemmill replaced the ineffectual McKay and was to have an interesting afternoon. His first touch within a minute was to neatly flick into the path of McLaren. 25 yards out from goal, McLaren skinedn McKeown before clinically slotting past Douglas to give Clyde the lead. A minute later and he found himself in the referee’s book. There appeared to be minimal if any contact whatsoever on Malone, but the ex-Clyde man went down and referee Murray booked Gemmill.

Astonishingly a minute later and Gemmill’s game would be over. This time the punishment was correct, as he caught MacKenzie for a deserved booking – his second and a very early bath leaving Clyde to negotiate a difficult final twenty minutes.

On 72 minutes, after an accidental clash with McLaren, Paton was forced off through injury for Dundee. The visitors bolstered their misfiring frontline by introducing the returning hit man Colin McMenamin, who almost scored with his first touch.

Malone, ignoring the boos from the home fans did what he does best and swung over a tremendous cross to the back post, where McMenamin’s header fell straight at the impressive Hutton. As is usually the case with Clyde these days, the need to protect saw them sit too deep, and almost all of Dundee’s pressure was because Clyde had no one up the park as a possible outball.

With seven minutes to go, Dundee made their final substitution with Darren Young coming on for his debut a full four months after joining. He ended up lasting as long as Gemmill, as he was robbed of possession by Emslie, who raced towards goal, before being hauled back by Young. The referee had no choice but to send him off.

Despite a prolonged period of pressure, Hutton had no shots to save, and Dundee’s attacks petered out and a huge three points stayed with the home team.

Three clean sheets in a row should be applauded, and with a goal under his belt McLaren may well go from strength to strength. The left hand side looked vulnerable first half, as did the centre of midfield, but praise must go to Waddell and Emslie in particular for real gutsy performances second half.