TT’s Samuel nets on Dundee debut
Trinidad and Tobago striker Collin Samuel scored on his debut for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United, but the hosts were unable to prevent Hibernian from taking full points — 2-1 at Tannadice, in the opening match of the 2003-04 season. Samuel should have scored in the 25th minute when, unmarked in the penalty box, he saw his meek shot rebound off the body of goalkeeper Daniel Andersson. The 21-year-old Samuel went close again ten minutes later, breaking clear before drawing the goalkeeper, but his lob from a difficult angle drifted across the face of the goal.
Samuel made amends for his first-half misses by scoring with his first touch of the ball after the restart. Billy Dodds dispossessed Mathias Doumbe on the left touchline and, raced into the penalty area squaring a pass to Samuel, who slammed home from close range. But youngster Derek Riordan levelled the scores after 74 minutes following good work by substitute Tam McManus. And McManus grabbed the winner from the penalty spot with four minutes remaining. Samuel’s former team Falkirk, featuring debutants — past and present national midfielders Russell Latapy and Brent Rahim — got a deserved 2-1 win over Inverness Caley Thistle at Ochilview. The 2002-03 Scottish First Division kings trailed as early as the 13th minute when Stuart McCaffray tapped home in a goal-mouth scramble.
The goal was virtually the last attack by Inverness and it was no surprise when the home side levelled in the 36th minute. A Latapy corner was only cleared as far as David Nicholls and when he volleyed first time, on-loan striker Colin McMenamin flicked it past Inverness goalkeeper Mark Brown from seven yards. The homesters dominated the second period and the visitors were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when goalscorer McCaffray was sent off for a foul on McMenamin. Taking control of proceedings courtesy of the man-advantaged, Falkirk sealed victory in the 83rd when another recent signing Jason Lee spectacularly volleyed a Latapy corner high into the net from 14 yards. Dreadlocked defender Brent Sancho was not among the final 16 for Dundee, who won 3-0 away to Motherwell with goals from Gavin Rae (22nd), Lee Wilkie (41st) and Barry Smith (83rd). Another TT stopper, Marvin “Dog” Andrews, was in the thick of things as Livingston battled to a 1-1 against Partick, in another SPL encounter. Trailing 1-0 after a 25-yard blast from Partick midfielder Kenny Milne after 31 minutes, Andrews saw his header fly inches off the mark in the 74th. But Fernando Pasquinelli ensured that Livingston will share the spoils, with an equaliser three minutes later.
In their first match in the English Second Division, Wrexham, with lanky TT defender Dennis Lawrence and midfielder Carlos Edwards playing for the full 90 minutes, were left frustrated as their opening-day encounter at home to Chesterfield ended goalless. The Welshmen enjoyed plenty of possession but paid the price for sloppy finishing as stubborn Chesterfield held on to earn a share of the spoils. Neither side created many clear-cut chances and although Wrexham dominated for long spells they lacked the creative spark to open up the Chesterfield defence. Crewe Alexandra, with national goalkeeper Clayton Ince between the uprights, had a disappointing start to their new season in the English First Division, as they were trounced 3-1 by hosts Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. Dave Brammer gave Crewe an early lead, after seven minutes of play. But superb strikes from Patrick Agyemang (15th), Alex Tapp (53rd) and captain Nigel Reo-Coker (63rd) earned them all three points.
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"TT’s Samuel nets on Dundee debut"