Dundee | Steven Pressley era starts with a defeat

Dundee 0 - 1 Airdrieonians

Steven Pressley’s tenure at Dundee began with a 1-0 home defeat to Airdrieonians in the Premier Sports Cup

Author | Mark Lee

Stadium | Dens Park

It was a disappointing start for the new manager, with the hosts unable to capitalise on long spells of possession despite several promising openings. 

Airdrie, composed and well-organised, took their chance when it came and held firm to claim three points.

Away fans and players celebrate

A closer look at what happened

Dundee handed competitive debuts to Paul Digby, Emile Acquah and Tony Yogane, while the visitors struck early warning signs with a corner that was dealt with by the Dundee defence. At the other end, Acquah burst into the box but was halted by a sliding challenge, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.

Airdrie came closest first when Alex King rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort from distance in the 11th minute. Eleven minutes later, they were ahead. A ball over the top found Mochrie, who brought it down under pressure from Sam Astley before calmly finishing past Jon McCracken.

Dundee responded well. Yogane slipped in Garza, only for the striker’s effort to be blocked. The home side continued to probe, with Robertson appealing for a penalty after his flick struck a defender’s arm. The referee instead awarded a corner, one of several in the first half that failed to produce a breakthrough.

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Their best chance of the half came through Fin Robertson, whose powerful drive was parried. Ingram pounced on the rebound but could only find the side netting. Just before the interval, Robertson’s corner found Donnelly, whose header was blocked en route to goal.

After the break, Dundee emerged with renewed energy. Graham’s cross was snuffed out, and Yogane dazzled with a moment of skill before being fouled on the edge of the box. Robertson’s free-kick was deflected wide.

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McGratten tested Dundee’s back line with a curling effort that went just wide, before Garza went close with a one-on-one, denied by a fine save from Josh Melrose.

Mochrie nearly doubled the visitors’ lead after robbing Koumetio and shooting from close range, but Ingram was on hand to clear off the line.

Dundee introduced Wright and Hay for their debuts in the 63rd minute, and continued to press. Fin Robertson’s delivery from set pieces provided their best route to goal. Twice he picked out Koumetio with corners, and twice his headers were cleared off the line by player-manager Callum Fordyce.

Luke Murray had his first real opportunity with just over 15 minutes to play, drawing another smart save from Melrose. Garza’s follow-up went just over the bar before making way for Samuels, who made an immediate impact. He surged down the right and picked out Yogane at the far post, but again Melrose was equal to it.

Despite Dundee’s late pressure, it was Airdrieonians who left Dens Park with the points, as Pressley was left to reflect on missed opportunities in his first game in charge.