Previous matches between these 2 sides have historically been close affairs, but whilst the score line may suggest otherwise this was another keenly contested encounter.
Rarely can a team walk off a park after a 5 try defeat with their heads held high, but this was exactly what the Alloa side managed against a side who now sit top of the league.
The visit to Elliott Road was always going to be a tough task, but the visitors started the match very much on the front foot and for the first 10 minutes it looked like they were capable of upsetting league form. However, a moment of madness from Tam McGowan, effectively killed off any chance of the league points leaving Dundee. The Prop forward felt that he was on the wrong end of a stamping incident and foolishly decided to take the law into his own hands, which was only ever going to result in a red card and ensure that his team mates were destined for an uphill battle for the remaining 70 minutes of the match.
Whilst the visitors were trying to reshuffle their pack, the Dundee side took all of 2 minutes to press home their numerical advantage when they scored a nice try out wide after the forwards had created some space by drawing in the Alloa defence.
Alloa were then quickly dealt another blow when Captain, James Dawson was forced to leave the pitch with an ankle injury and once again within a few minutes the home side doubled their lead with a neat backs move which carved open the visitors defence.
As half time approached, Alloa created a few chances of their own but were thwarted by a strong defence.
Although, Alloa battled hard to regain some parity in the second half, they gradually had to retreat deeper and deeper into their own half and despite some heroic efforts in defence the extra man advantage was always going to be a deciding factor.
The next score followed from some concerted pressure on the Alloa line and eventually the ball was shipped out through the backs to the home side winger who scorched over for a converted score.
Alloa continued to battle and were unlucky when an excellent break from Scrum Half, David Jess was ended when he only marginally failed to find his support runner with an inside pass after a defender appeared to slap the ball forward deliberately, but the offence was missed by the referee.
Alloa deserved a score for all of their hard work and efforts, but the home side held firm and eventually secured their bonus point win with a fourth try which was quickly followed by a fifth with minutes remaining.
Taking nothing away from a deserved home side win, but Alloa left the field with a feeling that things could have been different had they managed to keep 15 players on for the whole 80 minutes and the remaining players can hold their heads high after producing a sterling team effort. Whilst everyone gave their all, Fraser Smith had an outstanding match in the Forwards and Kris Aitken was given man of the match for his tireless defensive work.
Alloa host Stirling University at home this Saturday – 3pm KO.