Dundee saw off Capital Capitals 6-3 in a club friendly on Saturday evening at Dens Park. The hosts took control early and never looked back, though the visitors showed enough to keep the contest interesting until the final whistle. It was a straightforward result for the home side, who had been looking for consistency after a mixed run of recent fixtures.
By then you could see the difference in confidence between the two sides. Dundee's attackers found space and time, while Capital Capitals seemed to be playing catch-up throughout. The scoreline might suggest a comfortable afternoon, and it was - though not without a few moments where the visitors threatened to make it tighter than it needed to be.
And here's the thing about friendlies: they're rarely about the result, even when the result is this decisive. Dundee were testing combinations and looking for rhythm ahead of whatever comes next. Capital Capitals, meanwhile, were out in force against a side that had beaten them in their previous meeting. To be fair, they showed spirit in putting three past the hosts, even if it wasn't enough.
The recent record doesn't lie for either camp. Dundee had gone through a patch of results that included heavy defeats to Sheffield and Glasgow, but also a memorable 6-5 victory. Capital Capitals had been involved in several high-scoring affairs themselves, including a 5-6 defeat to Fife just two days before this fixture. Both teams taste goals, even if they concede them too freely.
It was a simple afternoon for Dundee - goals, movement, and a result that won't have anyone worrying too much. Capital Capitals will take the positives from their offensive display but will need to tighten up if they want to make a proper impact. The scoreboard told the story, and it was one that reflected the gulf in confidence on the day.