Dundee 3 - 0 Annan Athletic: Annan put up spirited fight before class gulf shows

Published on Sunday 4 October 2009 23:37

DUNDEE won through to an Alba Cup final meeting with Inverness by defeating plucky Annan Athletic.

Despite the scoreline, it was not exactly the Sunday stroll which most people expected, but goals from Sean Higgins, Craig Forsyth and Pat Clarke ensured they remain on course in their quest to pick up the first domestic silverware of the season.

Their summer spending spree, funded by cash-rich director Calum Melville, is of course designed to bring a whole lot more than the humble Challenge Cup to their trophy cupboard come the end of the season. Promotion to the SPL is the ultimate aim but this cup run could in turn provide the platform for a successful season should Dundee's new-look side succeed in getting their hands on the trophy.

It is a chance for the players to compete for a medal, something which was not lost on man of the match Richie Hart.

"It's great to be back to the final, and, on a personal note, I'm delighted because of what happened last season," said Hart, who was part of the Ross County team defeated by Airdrie United 12 months ago. "I've played in the final of this competition twice.

"I've lost it once, on penalties last season, and won it once, so it's a great chance to get another medal. It's a great occasion. It's a chance to get some silverware and I think the whole thing is getting better.

"Last season I saw a big difference from the first time I got there with Inverness. There was more media coverage and it was more of an occasion. It will be a great day out for the fans. The final is in Perth so I'm sure they will turn out in numbers."

Harry Cairney's minnows had every right to enjoy their extended stay in the competition and performed admirably in the opening exchanges, but once Dundee got themselves in front there was little danger of the scoreline being reversed.

Annan keeper Craig Summersgill first had his palms warmed by Hart's early effort. The hosts, though, made the breakthrough on 37 minutes in simple fashion. Higgins providing the conclusion to a scrappy penalty-box exchange with an eight-yard shot which went in via the post.

Dundee knew that a goal soon after the break would all but kill off any hopes Annan harboured of a comeback and wasted no time in trying for another. Almost straight from the kick-off, Eric Paton let fly with a left-foot shot which deflected wide.

Clarke, in 63 minutes, made it 2-0 with far-post tap-in from Hart's penetrating run and cross. Then, in 71 minutes, Forsyth added another with a blistering left-foot shot high into the net from Clarke's pass.

By then the Third Division side were playing solely for pride and their manager felt they left Tayside with it still intact. "The boys gave a good account of themselves," said Cairney. "Dundee are a quality team, but we managed to compete well for long spells of the game."

Dundee: Bullock, Paton (Casement 81), MacKenzie, Cowan, Malone, Forsyth (Young 77), Cameron, McHale, Hart (Harkins 87), Higgins, Clarke. Subs: Soutar, Griffiths.

Annan: Summersgill, Steele, Watson, Neilson, Inglis (MacBeth 67), Jack (Jardine 46), Muirhead, S Sloan, Cox, Bell (Storey 70), L Sloan. Subs: Jamieson, Redpath.

Referee: S Finnie

Attendance: 2,321