redweb match report
Clydesdale Bank Youth League | Aberdeen 6 Kilmarnock 1 | Peterhead
The young Dons this afternoon enjoyed another convincing victory, defeating Kilmarnock Under 20’s 6-1 at Balmoor Stadium. Neil Cooper’s young side played some excellent football and scored through McManus (2), O’Sullivan, O’Neill, Masson and Hamilton.
Aberdeen, playing with a slight wind behind them in the first half, got off to the perfect start when they scored after only 3 minutes. Nicky Low got in behind the defence down the left hand side. He played the ball across the face of goal and first of all Alan O’Sullivan missed a great opportunity, then Stephen O’Neill also missed a good chance but the goal broke out to Declan McManus and the striker calmly slotted the ball home from just inside the edge of the box.
It was all Aberdeen in the early stages as their passing was a joy to watch. On 14 minutes, Nicky Low who was orchestrating everything, had a curling shot from 20 yards out which curled inches past the post. Jamie Masson then had a shot which went just wide and after fine play Stephen O’Neill had two chances. Kieran Gibbons also saw a header come back off the post.
On 26 minutes the Dons got a second and in many ways it was similar to the first. McManus had a shot from the edge of the area which hit the post. The Kilmarnock defence could not get reorganised and Low had a powerful shot saved, Craig Storie then almost collected the rebound before the ball eventually fell to Alan O’Sullivan who finally found the net.
A minute later in could have been three when Stephen O’Neill put a superb ball in from the right across the face of goal but McManus was just over stretching and the ball went over the bar. Just after the half hour mark it was three. Stephen O’Neill again found himself in a similar position on the right side of the penalty box. The keeper came out to meet him and Stephen delightfully dinked the ball into the top hand corner of the net.
Two minutes later it should have been four. O’Sullivan, whose pace and power caused the Killie central defenders problems all afternoon, burst into the box and when he was taken down the ref pointed to the spot. Nicky Low, who has never missed a penalty before in his career, stepped forward but his effort was very well saved by keeper Mackay. O’Sullivan was then first to the rebound and should have scored but the keeper again made an excellent save.
The keeper’s heroics seemed to lift the visitors and on 41 minutes they pulled a goal back. Centre forward Muirhead hit a superb shot from about 25 yards which gave Rogers no chance. Muirhead looked a decent prospect. After the break the striker had a couple more chances as Killie enjoyed a good spell of possession but on 57 minutes Low’s deep cross held up in the wind and Masson coming in at the back post looped a brilliant header over the keeper. It was also a brilliant ball by Low, who departed short after that. The midfielder is in the squad for the game at Celtic Park tomorrow.
On 68 minutes Aberdeen made it five. Stephen O’Neill played a beautifully weighted ball over the top for McManus to race onto. He outpaced his markers but the keeper came out and blocked. The ball though came loose and substitute Jamie Hamilton followed up to score. It was the youngster’s first goal for Aberdeen at this level which was a great moment for him.
The final goal came on 84 minutes. Craig Storie, who was maybe the pick of the Aberdeen players this afternoon, played a great ball for McManus. The striker faced up to the defender before his powerful shot, with the aid of a slight deflection, found the bottom corner from about 8 yards out.
A very entertaining game and the young Dons seem to get better and better every week. Kilmarnock also deserve credit never giving up for playing football the right way.
Team: Rogers, Murray, Masson, Gibbons, Rumsby, Duguid, O’Neill, Storie, McManus, O’Sullivan (Campanile 75), Low (Hamilton 60) Subs: Macaulay, SzemisRedTV | highlights to follow
RedTV | Neil Cooper post match interview please click here
