Aberdeen U18s 6-0 Dundee Utd U18s
Club Academy Scotland U18 Elite League
Friday 31st January 2025
Summary:
The Young Dons completed the double over Dundee United in stylish fashion at Cormack Park thanks to a five goal first half.
Scott Anderson made 4 changes to his side following their dominant 0-4 win away to Hearts two weeks ago. Lewis Carrol joined the starting eleven replacing Ellis Clark who has joined Highland League side Turriff United on loan until the end of the season. Samuel Payne earned himself a start after netting against Hearts. Jack Searle and Oliver Green were also given chances to impress.
A 5 star first period saw the Dons out of sight with 45 minutes still to play. Joseph Teasdale began the onslaught before being joined by Payne soon after. Teasdale would not stop there as his header had put his side 3-0 up. He later completed his hat trick with a vicious strike to see the game off before the half hour mark. Victor Enem added one for good measure before the break to see the Dons 5-0 up at half time.
Dylan Ross netted a smart free kick in second half injury time to make it six, closing out a truly professional display from Aberdeen.
Report:
The Young Dons held plenty of possession during the opening five minutes whilst keeping a high line. The visitors refused to press the Aberdeen defence rather looking to pick their moments to attack.
A half chance would appear for Aberdeen as their short corner routine caught out The Tangerine’s defence but Nairn Reynolds was well aware of the danger screening Samuel Payne not allowing him to get his shot off.
Joseph Teasdale would open the scoring 11 minutes picking up the ball on the left-hand side of the box before checking back and coolly curling the ball finishing into the bottom right of Zerebecki’s net.
A defence mix-up allowed Samuel Payne to grab his 2nd goal in as many games on the 20 minute mark. Miscommunication between Oliver Nisbet and Narin Reynolds forced Zerebecki to rush out of his goal, however, it was Payne who was most alert to the situation at hand as he picked up the scraps and smash home into an empty net.
Teasdale grabbed his 2nd of the evening capitalising from a trademark Victor Enem cross. The winger used the pace of the ball to delicately meet it mid-air rooting the goalkeeper to the spot on the 25 minute mark.
The Tangerines could not handle Teasdale as three minutes later the winger completed his first-half hat trick, this time with a different type of goal. Tristan Stephen provided a special assist flicking the ball first time in behind the visitor’s defence, unleashing the pacy teenager in behind who ruthlessly smashed the ball into the bottom left to make it 4-0.
The visitors were restricted throughout the first period. Aberdeen’s high line proved too much for Dundee United as when they did win the ball, they had the entire pitch to make up. Finlay Simpson did try to make things stick for his side but remained isolated upfront. The Tangerines did not register a single shot in the first period which further exemplified this.
It was goals galore in the first period. Thirty-six minutes in, Victor Enem got his name on the scoresheet making it 2 goals in successive matches. His underlap was found picking up the ball in the right half-space before showing the composure of a veteran striker to comfortably into the bottom right corner – with his weaker left foot.
Half Time: – Aberdeen U18’s 5-0 Dundee Utd U18s
Dundee United shifted into a back 5 in hope of keeping the scoreline down. Aberdeen did find it more difficult to find space in behind as the presence of an additional defender.
The first real chance for the Dundee United would come from a marauding run from centre back Marcus Buchanan as he made his way from one half to the other showing real power in his strides. He managers to get his cross off which made its way across the width of the Aberdeen box begging for a touch from his teammates.
On the hour mark, Stephen was presented with a golden opportunity to make it six for the Dons. Teasdale would find himself on the right hand side, looping a teasing cross into the striker but he could only head wide.
Dylan Ross performed exceptionally, picking up pockets of space and hunting every loose ball down. He looked to get in on the action with an audacious effort on the edge of the box. The sharp change in direction caught out his opposing defender before striking over the bar 67 minutes in.
A firm challenge by Searle on Welsh would see the Dundee Utd winger’s evening come to an end. It looked a sore one but thankfully the youngster made his way back to his feet once attended to by the medical team.
The Tangerines got forward in the closing periods but a quick counter attack from Aberdeen saw them earn a free kick in injury time. Dylan Ross did find the net this time as the ball was laid back to him. He finished low and hard to the keepers left in the last true action of the game.
Full Time: – Aberdeen 6-0 Dundee Utd
Aberdeen: Vitols, Enem (Henderson 65’), Ross, Carrol, Akindileni, Payne, Stephen, Teasdale, Green, Searle (Chokomo 78’), McDonnell (Cummings 46′)
Subs Not Used: Douglas.
Scorers: Teasdale 11′, 25′, 28, Payne 20′, Enem 36, Ross 90+4′
Team Manager: Scott Anderson
Dundee Utd: Zerebecki, Franczak, Nisbet (Mitchell 57’), Buchanan, Reynolds, Joss, Welsh (Hutchison 78’), Beattie, Simpson, Bertie, Simpson (Smith 57’)
Subs: Haldane, Smith, Mitchell, Flett, Hutchinson
Team Manager: Andrew Payne
