Aberdeen v St Mirren

Season 2011-12 drew to a close as the Dons welcomed St Mirren to Pittodrie. And it had a distinct end of season feel to it as the sides battled out a goalless draw. Despite starting promisingly, the Dons failed to convert some early chances and although they looked solid at the back couldn’t make the breakthrough.

For this one Dons boss Craig Brown made two changes with Langfield and Anderson replacing Jason Brown and Rory McArdle from last week’s side which drew with Kilmarnock. Aberdeen had played superbly in that game and the manager will have been looking to continue that sort of form to end the season on a high.

And they started with great intent, creating numerous chances in a frantic opening spell. Firstly, Andrew Considine found space to have a shot at goal but fired over the cross bar then minutes later a Jamie Masson cross only needed a touch to send it beyond Craig Sampson in the St Mirren goal.

The Dons looked dangerous every time they had the ball and on 5 minutes should have taken the lead. Kari Arnason’s precise ball cut through the Saints defence and landed perfectly for Mackie who advanced towards the box only for Samson to get enough on the shot to deflect it past the post. Although Mackie might have felt he should have scored you have to give credit to the keeper who made a fine save.

A long throw from Arnason nearly caused havoc in the Saint Mirren penalty area when Samson appeared to lose the flight of the ball in the bright sunlight. Again though there was no one there to take advantage of the slip up and the Buddies cleared easily. Samson struggled all afternoon with the high ball.

Josh Magennis signed his new contract with the club earlier in the week and he should have done better than shoot wildly over the bar to end another promising Dons attack on 15 minutes. The right back did well to create the opening though. Josh had a fine first half in attack and in defence.

Jamie Masson has been excellent in his first few games in the side and his superb delivery caused St Mirren problems when Anderson flicked the ball on but Jim Goodwin was well placed on the line to head clear and avert the danger.

St Mirren looked dangerous on the counter attack and a superb tackle form Gavin Rae in the box stopped St Mirren taking the lead when Steven Thompson found himself in space. Jamie Langfield made one excellent save as well in the first half when a shot was put across him. Jamie had a very solid afternoon and his distribution was excellent as well.

Another long throw, this time from Magennis, caused havoc in the visitors defence on 28 minutes but when the ball eventually fell to Mackie he slashed his shot wide of the post. Another chance but it was a difficult angle.

The first half fizzled out with neither side creating much in the way of chances. Andrew Considine was booked for a dangerous tackle on Graham Carey, just before the interval. The resultant free kick was held well by Jamie Langfield.

Ht 0-0

Aberdeen started brightly in the second half. Mackie found himself in space in the box and dug out a cross but Ryan Jack headed straight at Sampson. On 50 minutes a Mark Reynolds free kick fell to Gavin Rae but he fired high over the cross bar.

At the other end, Magennis was booked for a foul on Jerome Tesselar. The resultant free kick was knocked out for a corner by the Dons. As the ball was floated in there were big cries from the visiting supporters that their player was fouled in the box but referee Collum for once did the Dons a favour and waived the appeals away.

The Dons boss then made a couple of substitutions. Rory McArdle, in his final appearance for the side, replaced Josh Magennis while Isaac Osbourne replaced the departing Arnason. It was great to Isaac back as he has been a massive miss. There is no doubt Arnason’s form has dipped since Isaac got injured.

By now the game had a complete end of season feel to it and neither side were looking particularly threatening. The Dons did break with pace on a couple of occasions but were usually let down by poor delivery at the end of it- Ryan Jack one player who was guilty of wasting a promising situation.

There was a bright spark though to liven the game up towards the end and that was the appearance of young Ryan Fraser. The speedy winger replaced Jamie Masson and almost had an instant impact when his cross in the box looped up and over Samson but unfortunately for the Dons the keeper recovered well and the rebound just wouldn’t fall for Gavin Rae.

Despite this Fraser continued to provide some comfort for the home fans with several superb runs that could be a vital asset to the Dons in the future. One step over left his marker Gary Teale kicking thin air.

At the other end Jamie Langfield did very well to save a Van Zanten drive but neither side could find that elusive goal and the game ended in stalemate.

There were emotional scenes as Darren Mackie left the pitch at the end of the game.

The Dons finish the season in 9th position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after what has been another disappointing season. However the emergence of some exciting prospects such as Jamie Masson, Cammy Smith and Ryan Fraser can give the Red Army heart and belief, that with a few experienced and influential additions, the side can move forward next season and on to more successful times.