22/01/00 Hearts 2 Dundee 0
By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002
SAT 22ND JANUARY
Hearts 2 (Wales 18, Jackson 50) Dundee 0
Att 13112
Subs:
Bayne (for Grady 37),
Banger (for Van Eijs 57),
Boyack (for Billio 75),
Wilkie,
Langfield
Dundee returned to SPL action at Tynecastle and there was a surprise for the fans with Steven Boyack dropped to the bench. James Grady got a start with the absence of Eddie Annand and Shaun McSkimming returned to the starting line up only five weeks after his hernia operation.
Hearts dominated the early stages and Rab Douglas had to pull off two fine stops in the first quarter of an hour, the second of these from Naysmith's close range volley was quite outstanding. The home side took the lead in 17 minutes through Wales after Severin appeared to miscue his powerful header away from goal but nicely into the path of the young striker who knocked the ball home from five yards.
Dundee were not downhearted by this and Shaun McSkimming, returning from a stomach operation, was very unlucky not to equalise.
In the 21st minute Rae charge through midfield and fired a shot against a defender, the ball deflected to McSkimming who unleashed a 25-yard piledriver which had Antii Niemi beaten but the ball crashed off the crossbar to safety.
Dundee were hit by the loss of James Grady in 37 minutes. The striker left the field in a daze after getting a head knock. He was replaced by Graham Bayne.
The start of the second half was delayed as the referee insisted that repairs were made to the goal net guarded by Niemi and once it got under way Dundee pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but it was at the other end that a goal came in truly bizarre circumstances. Barry Smith under pressure from Jackson passed the ball back to Douglas. The ball was bouncing and as the Hearts striker shut the keeper down Douglas tried to clip the ball over his head but succeeded only in presenting Jackson with the easiest headed goal of his career. Douglas was getting pelters from the Hearts fans as the game resumed but minutes later went some way to making up for his mistake with a magnificent save from Severin's scorching drive.
At the other end Niemi was lucky to escape the same fate as Rab' when McSkimming charged down his clearance but the ball rebounded wide.
Dundee pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the match but, apart from a superb effort from Barry Smith which saw Niemi pull off a fine save, there wasn't enough inspiration to pull the match out of the fire.
Hearts defended in depth in the closing stages but always looked lively on the break and missed a couple of good chances.
A couple of other points about the match:
A wise decision by Jocky to substitute Billio before he was sent off, as the Italian temprament was getting the better of him.
Superb display from Shaun McSkimming, probably one of his best displays of the season, Barry Smith and Graeme Bayne can also be pleased about their performance.
A woeful performance by the referee, who brings the word 'homer' to mind. The Dundee players became totally frustrated (Billio in particular) at being pulled up every time they attempted a challenge for the ball.
One thing myself and others around me at the game would like to see is that the team get over their fear of actually taking responsibility to have a shot at goal. I am sure that the crowd would get behind the team more if they adopted a shoot on sight policy - lets hope this starts with the game on Wednesday against Killie.