22/07/99 Arbroath 1 Dundee 2
By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002
THU 22nd JULY
Arbroath 1 (Mercer 60)
Dundee 2 (Annand 15, Neves 23)
Subs: Matoutu (for Falconer) Gibson (for Rae) Wilkie (for Rune) Yates (for Neves)
Subs not used: Valido, Langfield
Dundee progressed to a Forfarshire Cup semi final against St Johnstone, but not without some problems as Arbroath hit back to eat into Dundee's two goal interval lead. Although the first forty five minutes were dominated by Dundee it was the home side who had the better of the second period, but without seriously threatening Dundee's goal again.
Norwegian Rune partnered Barry Smith in central defence and looked a decent performer but it was again Van Eijs and Neves who stood out amongst the trialists. Both looked in the mood and turned in good performances.
The restoration of Eddie Annand to the forward line provided an edge which had been missing in the previous two games and he always stretched the Red Lichties rearguard. It was no surprise when he opened the scoring, knocking home a rebound after fifteen minutes following a shot from the edge of the box by Gavin Rae.
Eight minutes later Willie Falconer cut in from the right and slipped the ball to Van Eijs who's shot was well parried by the keeper only for Neves to follow up and fire into the net.
Arbroath came more and more into the match as the second half progressed and Dundee were grateful to see a Thomson header crash back off the bar after 59 minutes, but a minute later the lead was reduced when Cooper's cross from the left was headed home by Mercer.
Dundee immediately brought on Matouto and young Keith Gibson for Falconer and Rae. The support were eager for their first look at the Spanish striker but he struggled to get involved and Gibson impressed more with his harrying in midfield. An injury to Rune saw him replaced by Wilkie and Neves gave way to allow Michael Yates to enter the fray. Yates played wide on the right and was full of eager running down that flank, but Dundee's momentum had gone and the game petered out with no more clear cut chances.