“Our spirit, teamwork and togetherness has ultimately got us through the game”

Paul Sheerin this afternoon watched a superb battling performance from his young Dons in the Youth Cup.

Despite playing with ten men for 70 minutes of the game against a tough side and at venue we have struggled at in recent years, the Aberdeen U20s ran out 4-2 winners over Hamilton Accies and move into the Quarter Finals of the competition. After the game the Dons U20 Coach spoke to RedTV:

“There is obviously a different feel to the cup from the Development League. It is only for the U20 players and it has always been a competition with prestige attached to it. So, as I have said on more than one occasion, I have had a bugbear about the fact we have not had a run in the Youth Cup since I have been back at the club.

“We have now made it through to the Quarter Final stage thanks to a dogged, spirited performance. Great team work and a togetherness has ultimately got us through the game. That is so so pleasing for me.

“I thought we had started the game well enough but then the double-dunt of losing a man and a goal within quick succession was a real kick in the teeth.

“The players response to that was brilliant.

“I felt if we got the ball forward quickly enough, even with ten men, we would cause them problems. I think that was proven as the game wore on. Whenever we were willing to stick it in behind them we looked dangerous. I know it is not pretty, but sometimes to have to play different ways and do whatever is needed to get the win. Certainly when you come here you have to play different ways and today we found the balance.

“Down to ten men it was a tough ask.

“They came at us in the second half and changed their shape a little bit to get back into the game. But again the response from our players when they pulled it back level at 2-2 was brilliant. We started to play with a bit more quality and a bit more thought to our game. Their sending off then balanced it up again. I thought we controlled the game better at that stage and Ryan’s goal was brilliant to get us back in front.

“Bruce Anderson did a great shift for us. He did not give their defenders a moments peace all whole afternoon. He is a very hard working striker but he is more than just that. He is always a threat because of his quality. When he won the penalty his first touch from David’s kick out was quite brilliant. When he is in possession he so composed. It put us on the front foot and them on the back foot. I am pleased for him. Bruce played longer than we would have liked with him having a game at the weekend with Elgin but the situation we were in, it was all hands to the pump and needs must.

“At the other end I had a tough decision to make before the game with Archie (Mair) doing so well down here on Tuesday. I went for David (Craddock) and he also put in a great performance.

“When you are playing with ten men and they are pushing hard you need your keeper to be strong. David made some crucial saves at that stage in in the game. He had one save especially when he stood up well to their player who was free at the back post, it proved to be a vital save.

“David has worked very hard over the past few months and it is good to see him getting the reward for that today.

“Some of the saves the two of them, David and Archie, have had over the two games here have been quite superb.

“It would be nice to get a home draw in the next round, possibly playing the game at Pittodrie, but we will take whatever comes now. It is just pleasing to get slightly further than we have done previously. We are two games away from a final. That will give the boys something to focus on during the weeks ahead as well as trying to keep our good league form going.”