…as Dons claim another three points

Aberdeen claimed victory against the SPL’s bottom side with a convincing performance at Pittodrie. Niall McGinn became the first player since Duncan Shearer to score in 5 consecutive league games for the Dons with a first half strike before Johnny Hayes added a second half free kick to give the home side victory by two goals to nil.

For this one Craig Brown stuck with the same side that had claimed a point against Dundee United in the previous match at Tannadice.

Aberdeen made a fast start to the game and Ryan Fraser was already causing problems for the visiting defenders. Brian Easton had to be substituted after injuring himself in a move which saw Fraser make a good run down the right and play the ball into the box-. Scott Vernon took a poor touch though and the chance was wasted. A short time later Chris Clark had an attempt at goal that went just wide of the post as the Dons tried to make the breakthrough.

On 10 minutes, good play by the home side eventually saw Vernon cross towards Fraser and the youngsters’ shot was deflected away for a corner on 10 minutes. The Red Army didn’t have to wait too long though to see their side take the lead.

Poor goalkeeping from Rab Douglas saw the ball fall at the feet of Ryan Fraser whose ball into the box found Niall McGinn and he swept it into the back of the net to give Aberdeen the lead on 14 minutes.

The Dons continued to press the visitors and were playing well. Mark Reynolds played a superb ball into Scott Vernon who tried to get the shot away but Lockwood managed to get a block in to thwart the attacker.

The season to this point had seen numerous players booked for challenges on Ryan Fraser and Gary Irvine became the 12^th player to be punished will trying to get the better of the winger on 25 minutes.

A short time later Rae and McGinn combined before finding Osbourne who swung in a decent cross but Scott Vernon’s header was weak and failed to trouble the Dundee defence. Then a great tackle by Osbourne allowed him to send the ball onto Rae who launched a great ball up field. Unfortunately it was just a touch too strong to allow Fraser to latch on to it or he would have been through on goal with Douglas flapping.

Iain Davidson became the 13^th player to be booked this season for a challenge on Fraser on 35 minutes. Just before the break a dangerous cross from Fraser was headed out by Ryan Conroy when it looked like Isaac Osbourne would put the Dons 2-0 up.

HT 1-0

Osbourne had the first half chance of the second half but he blasted over from just outside the box and the Dons had an even better chance to double their advantage when McGinn played a delightful ball across the face of goal but Gavin Rae just failed to connect with it.

Dundee improved slightly after the break and Reily, who looked like their only real threat, shot just over from distance. Langfield would have had it covered had it been goal bound but it was a timely reminder for the Dons to continue their search for a two goal cushion.

Again Gavin Rae was unable to make a connection after Fraser had crossed for Osbourne at the back post and he headed back across goal towards the former Dundee player. Craig Brown then decided to make a change when Chris Clark was replaced by Jonny Hayes on 63 minutes. Not long after, Scott Vernon was nearly through on goal but good defending stopped him in his tracks.

Fraser was next to have a shot at goal and not for the first time in the game he cut inside and fired just over the bar. There was almost a carbon copy a short time later but this one had more bend on it and he was unlucky to see it drift just wide of the post.

The introduction of Hayes lifted Aberdeen and he won a free kick down the Dons right. Hayes himself took the kick and he hit a low but powerful drive which to the delight of the home support deflected off a defender and went through the legs of the helpless Douglas into the back of the net. The Dons had their thoroughly merited second goal at long last.

After Kevin McBride was booked for a challenge on Fraser, Hayes then pulled a short just past Douglas’ left hand past before Josh Magennis replaced Stephen Hughes. Magennis went to right back with Osbourne moving into midfield. Three minutes later Ryan Fraser was replaced by Cammy Smith.

Dundee had a brief flurry of half chances late on- Ryan Conroy shot wildly over when he should have done better and Langfield had to save from a John Baird shot. The Dons created other chances as well- Vernon raced through beyond the Dundee defence but Kyle Bennedictis got back with a block to avert the danger as the game finished 2-0 to the Dons who sit in third place in the SPL, just two behind leaders Celtic after 11 games of the season.