AFC London Supporters Club | Aberdeen Retain Dave Baister Cup

Aberdeen's London Supporters team defeated rivals Celtic 3-1 after extra time on Sunday at Vale Farm Park home of Wembley FC.
 
Match report by Paul Morrison

On an enormous and pristine playing surface the large crowd in attendance were treated to a very good game between two sides that are usually hard to separate. Sunday's game was no exception, once again going to extra time before the Dons eventually clinched it.

It was an even opening 30 mins with Celtic maybe slightly shading it. No real chances either end although Rossiter hit the side netting after being played through by Maclennan and Duncan blocked well from a Celtic strikers shot. As the half wore on Aberdeen started to come more in to it and were beginning to dictate the play. Some of the passing play from both sides was a joy to watch.

The second half saw Aberdeen start to press and a series of corners came and went without any real threat on goal. It was looking like a chance was going to be hard to find but from nowhere James Smith sprung the offside trap and was one on one with the goalkeeper. He showed great composure to fire low in to the net. A minute later the Celtic defender mis-judged a bounce and Rossiter found himself clean through, he drove his effort just over the bar though. Celtic then got in on the act when their forward outpaced a limping Brown and lobbed Duncan. It was mostly Aberdeen but in the last few mins a couple of Celtic chances were expertly saved by Duncan.

Extra time and the Dons really picked it up. Moving Celtic all over the park and the excellent Allan Barr who came on as a sub at halt time for the concussed Gregor Smith was dominating the play. A free kick out wide on the left was flicked across goal by Andy Smith and Jack White stooped to bundle it home. The Dons had chances to extend the lead and the keeper saved brilliantly from J.Smith and Meldrum. Aberdeen's goalie Craig Duncan then pulled off 2 stunning late stops to deny Celtic an equaliser and with the entire Celtic team forward in injury time the Dons broke with Smith running 70 yards before rolling it perfectly to Allan Barr to smash in to the empty net with the last kick of the game.

A fantastic game and advert for the APFSCIL league.
 

Team – Duncan, G.Smith, Brown, White, Ross, M.Barr, J.Smith, Maclennan, Meldrum, Rossiter, Hainey Subs – A.Smith, A.Barr, Kilshaw
 

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