Dundee assistant boss Ray Farningham voted Saturday’s friendly with Lochee United at Thomson Park as worthwhile in every aspect.
The Dark Blues included experienced campaigners Matt Lockwood, Willie Dyer, Gary Irvine, Martin Boyle, Steven Doris and Jamie McAlister and ultimately proved too strong for the battling Bluebells, running out 4-1 winners.
In an entertaining affair watched by a crowd in excess of 1,000, there were also significant contributions from promising Dundee youngsters Cameron Kerr, James Thomson, Jamie Reid, and Craig Wighton.
Finishing pre-season unbeaten ahead of next week’s league start delighted Farningham.
“It keeps the winning run going which is good as we want the players to have a winning mentality,” he said.
The game was played in the right way by a good Lochee United side; the players who are likely to be involved next week and Jamie McAlister, who is trying to prove his fitness, all getting substantial game time under their belts.
As expected Dundee dominated but early on failed to test Mark Fotheringham in the Bluebells’ goal.
Indeed, Philip Hagan and Andy Ritchie both had clear-cut chances to give the junior outfit the lead before Dundee really threatened.
And when the visitors did, it was down to the precocious talent of 16-year-old Craig Wighton, who twice went close before the break, the first one following a sublime piece of skill after mesmerising two defenders.
Goalless at the break, Dundee took the lead six minutes after the restart, Steven Doris scoring with an overhead kick after the ball bobbed about in front of the Bluebells’ goal.
Ten minutes later, Wighton doubled the lead with a sweet right-foot curler into the top right hand corner from just outside the box.
A mix-up in the Bluebells defence enabled the lively Martin Boyle to add the third midway through the second half.
Former Dundee Youth striker Jon Voigt pulled one back with 13 minutes left. His neat shot on the turn from 15 yards followed Greg Kirk’s surging run that set up the opening.
However, Dundee had the last word, Doris getting his second eight minutes from the end, bulleting a header from Jamie Reid’s corner from the left at the near post.