YFS
Strathclyde won this high quality encounter, travelling east to take on Dundee in the University Scottish Cup Conference final at Riverside, on a deceiving sunny but bitter Wednesday afternoon.
Strathclyde already newly promoted league 2 champions, and with a cup win in the Glasgow region, faced former league opponents and recent title winners Dundee from league 3. Special recognition should go to both managers, Dundee's Logan McConnachie and Strathclyde's Andy Thomson for their already successful campaigns.
The opening minutes of the match saw Strathclyde show the initial possession with good interlinking passing.
The first strike on goal came from Hne Wilson from just outside the box on 4 minutes, with a low driven shot which was easily gathered by Dundee keeper David Temperley.
Strathclyde regained the possession imminently in the heart of midfield with Chris Hackland passing the ball wide right to Blair Shearer, but the ball was well intercepted by Dundee Luke McGeehan. His pass down the left to Scott Gray was well challenged by right full back Euan Wheeler. His pass into no 10 Brandon Longcake was pushed wide right to Wilson but again good defending by Dundee, this time Martyn McCabe clearing the danger almost 7 minutes into play.
Dundee quickly counter attacked down the left with several passes made, but the ball ran frustratingly away from the feet of Tom Casey and out for a goal kick.
Dundee's Barrie Pullar clashed heads with an opponent on 12 minutes in the centre of the park and was removed from play temporarily.
On 22 minutes a foul on Wilson earned a free kick 22 yards out in the centre. Taken by Longcake which was well blocked by the Dundee wall and went out for a corner.
The resulting corner from the right high into the box was headed down by Jordan Morrison into the feet of Wilson. A scramble in the box saw Longcake latch onto the ball but Temperley again retrieved the ball at the midfielder's feet.
A foul by Dundee's McGeehan on Shearer on 18 minutes resulted in a free kick 35 yards out. The quick lay off by Hackland to Ryan Ralston was shot high over the bar.
Strathclyde continued to pressure the Dundee defence down the left, with Lloyd Robertson overlapping Dundee full back Lee Gallacher. The pass was laid off to Longcake, who's good cross into the box was connected by the head of Shearer, but not enough power in his effort and collected by Temperley on 20 minutes.
Longcake's creativity was really becoming a joy to watch, with his individual skill and assets dominant in Clyde's opportunities. Dundee were resilient and fending off any potential danger, in particular Marco Notarangelo.
A free kick by Morrison high into the box was headed away by the central defender which then fell at the feet of Casey, but his shot unfortunately yards wide of the left hand post. A further chance fell to number 8 Scott Wightman after he was set up from a quick passing move involving several players, but he over hit the ball, and once more the ball going high over the bar on 25 minutes.
Wilson was put through on goal by Longcake's through header beyond the Dundee back four on 28 minutes, but was called off side.
A free kick 50 yards out was drifted in from the left but again Notarangelo sweeping up the incoming cross inside the box. The clearance fell to Wheeler on the right and his in swinging ball was met by Morrison's boot, but the shot lacked speed and collected by the keeper easily.
Dundee were now retaliating and pursuing that all important opening goal with Pullar down the left cutting inside, laying the ball to Shearer, his shot from just outside the box easily gathered by Clyde keeper Joe Wilton on 32 minutes played.
The first really testing effort for Temperley was Longcake's low driven shot from 20 yards out to his left post a minute later. The powerful strike was well parried from the tip of his left hand and out for a corner.
The resulting corner swung in was headed off the keeper's right hand post by Morrison inside the box.
Dundee then broke away and the ball down the left to McCabe resulted in a 20 yard strike from his left boot, but a couple of yards to the left of Wilton's post who tipped it out for a further corner on 37 minutes.
The match was very evenly balanced with several chances accrued from both teams.
With just a few minutes to half time Wilson earned a corner for Clyde on the right, taken by Hackland high into the centre of the box was met by Morrison's head but diverted high over the bar.
The long anticipated opening goal was eventually scored by Longcake's strike on 42 minutes. He struck a decisive and powerful shot past a helpless Temperley, from 25 yards out to his right. Excellent initial build up play from Wheeler, Wightman and Ralston down the left created the goal.
The opening 45 was evenly balanced and this could have been anyone's win for the taking. Could 'Clyde increase their lead or Dundee equalise early, and the contest truly on.
