match report and redtv highlights
MATCH: SPL U20 League | Aberdeen U20 6 v 0 Dundee U20 | Tuesday 19th February 2013 | Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead | 1pm
Declan McManus scored four goals this afternoon and Cammy Smith got two as the Aberdeen U20s had an impressive 6-0 win in Peterhead against Dundee.The win was a perfect warm up for the Dons SFA Youth Cup tie against Celtic on Sunday.
Neil Cooper’s men lined up with Rogers in goal, Murray at right back, Duguid at left back with Rumsby and Magennis in central defence. The midfield three were Low, Gibbons and O’Neill with Masson playing wide right just inbehind Smith and McManus who were paired upfront. Aberdeen opening the scoring after only two minutes. Nicky Low, who was outstanding throughout, played a great through ball for McManus. The striker calmly controlled it before slotting home. In the opening stages Aberdeen were playing at a very good tempo which the Dundee players could not live with. On 13 minutes a good quick move again created a chance. O’Neill played the ball in from the left. His low cross was not far away from McManus. On 17 minutes McManus brilliantly set O’Neill on the half way line. He broke forward before showing great composure to look up and play a fantastic ball across the penalty box which left Cammy Smith the easiest of tasks of placing the ball into a empty net from six yards.
The Dons were by now running riot. On 24 minutes Masson played the ball in from the right. Cammy Smith picked it up and laid it on for McManus. His shot from the edge of the box rebounded off the post and fell to Smith you grabbed his second goal of the afternoon. A minute later the Dons scored their fourth. A free kick was brilliantly swung in by O’Neill. McManus again timed his run perfectly and slid in to score from close range. Just after the half hour mark Craig Duguid played a good ball in from the left. McManus made a great run again and was only inches away from getting his hat trick. Then on 39 minutes Murray’s cross was almost deflected into his own net by Baird in the Dundee goal. The ball hit the bar.
At half time Neil Cooper took off Gibbons and he was replaced by Craig Storie.
The second half started like the first had finished. Cammy Smith had a rasping shot which went just wide on 46 minutes and then shortly after that Low forced Baird into a good save. Then the keeper made another good save when McManus rounded him. The striker was at a tight angle so he tried to play it back to Masson but the keeper managed to smother the shot. A minute later Masson had another chance when he was put in but his first time volley was straight at the keeper. The very impressive Stephen O’Neill then almost scored one of the goals of the season when he shot from just inside the Dundee half. The keeper only just managed to get back and stop the ball crossing his line.
In the other goal Danny Rogers did not have much to do but he did well to save at his neat post after Magennis had tried to cut out a cross. Both overage players, Josh Magennis and Nicky Low deserve credit for their attitude and the way they talked the younger players through the game. With a view to the weekend Cammy Smith was taken off after 65 minutes and replaced by Jamie Hamilton. Jamie Masson was pushed through the middle and had a fine game playing in a forward position. On 70 minutes he had a curling shot which went just wide.
The afternoon though belonged to Declan McManus and he finished the game in style. On 78 minutes he was taken down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Declan took the kick himself and completed his hat-trick by sending the keeper the wrong way. Then on 86 minutes Craig Murray made another surging run down the right flank. His cross was met at the near post by McManus who scored his fourth of the afternoon. It brought the strikers tally for the season to 19. Whilst his four goals were very impressive, his general movement and hold up play was equally as good.
Unfortunately the striker is suspended for Sunday’s SFA Youth Cup game against Celtic but the performance from the team will have given the watching Celtic spy’s something to think about.
team line ups:
Aberdeen U20s: Rogers, Murray, Duguid, Gibbons, Magennis, Rumsby, Masson, O’Neill, McManus, Smith, Low Subs: Macaulay, Storie, Hamilton, Campanile, Szemis
Dundee U20s: Baird, Thomson, Wallace, Allan, Smith, Bews, Kerr, Buchan, Wightan, McLeod, Duggan Subs: Birmingham, McHardy, McCabe
RedTV |
Highlights of the game please click here
Post Match reaction from Neil Cooper please click here
MATCH:
COMPETITION: SFA Youth Cup, 5th Round
DATE: Sunday 24th February 2013
VENUE: Firhill Stadium
KICK-OFF: 2pm
Entry to the match will be free of charge with the Jackie Husband Stand at Firhill in use.
