Keith 0 Aberdeen Emerging Talent Squad 1 Aberdeenshire Cup Quarter-final Kynoch Park Tuesday 18 August, 8.00pm
The Dons began their defence of the Aberdeenshire Cup with a Quarter-Final tie away to Keith. A young looking side lined up with Nick Suman in goal, a back four of Jack Searle, Jamie Mercer, Lewis Carrol and Joel Okhuoya. Cooper Masson and Aaron were the two sitting midfielders with Andrew Fasanya, Zak To and Findlay Marshall ahead of them and Joesph Teasdale upfront.
Heath Duncan and Max Pocklington, both on loan at Kynoch Park this season had to watch this one from the stand.
The first attack of note came on five minutes, a good run by Searle set up Fasayna who created room for the shot but his effort on goal was weak. At the other end Nathan McKeown hit the target but Suman made a comfortable save. Ten minutes in, Aberdeen forced the first corner which was cleared at the near post. Then Marshall broke from midfield before sliding his shot across the keeper but just wide of the target. Two minutes later a cross from the right was picked up by Zak To, he found space and pulled his shot inches past. A second corner followed on the 14 minute mark which saw Teasdale blast over the bar from the edge of the area.
On 20 minutes a great run by Fasayna off the right wing, but his cross was pulled behind all the runners. The same player might have had a penalty shortly after, but goal kick was given. Aberdeen were on top at this stage with a lot of possession but credit to the Highland League side who were well organised.
And on 26 minutes they almost took the lead, McKeown showing good strength before firing a shot at Suman, the keeper doing well to push the ball to safety. From the corner Ryan Roberston looped a header onto the roof of the net.
Just before the half hour mark Aberdeen took the lead. It was great thinking and awareness from Zak To who took a quick throw in down the left. He found the run of Marshall who galloped into the area before coolly slotting the ball past Craig Reid.
A few minutes later Searle curled an effort just over. Then To again was the provider, this time producing a lovely pass for Teasdale who hit the target but Reid did very well to get a hand on it.
It was not all one way traffic. Jordan Cooper and Ewan Clark were both making life as difficult as possible for the Dons defence.
Half-time Keith 0-1 Aberdeen.
During the interval Findlay Marshall was replaced by Sam McLean. Fasanya and To both forced the keeper into saves early in the second half, and Teasdale volleyed over. The same played then should have scored from close range after great work by Fasanya but pushed his shot past the post.
After 56 minutes Zak To, who had a very impressive game, went on the mazy run and he forced Reid into another fine save. On the half hour mark Cooper Masson was replaced by Kai Gauld. Teasdale then curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area.
Would Aberdeen be made to pay for not taking their chances?
With fifteen minutes to go the game was starting to become more stretched and Keith were continuing to battle for every ball. They were unlucky with a couple of shots which were blocked from a corner then Callum Robertson forced Suman into a fine stop.
Although a goal kick was given, it looked a fine stop.
With ten minutes to go Fasanya had another really good run into the box before putting a shot just wide of the far post. Fasanya then set up Teasdale but he fired over.
The closing stages saw Keith throw everything at the young Dons, but Carroll and Henderson did very well to stand up to the onslaught and help their team into the next round.
Aberdeen will play the winner of the Fraserburgh or Deveronvale tie in the semi-final. Full-time Keith 0-1 Aberdeen.
STATS
Keith: Craig Reid, Murray Addison (Finlay Milton 61), Horace Ormsby, Lucas Whyte, Ryan Robertson, Craig Gill (C) Ronan Craib, Nathan McKeown, Jordan Cooper (Lawrence Ega
83), Ewan Clark (Scott Barron 61), Callum Robertson. (Connor Bird 90+1)
Subs: Calum Ledford (GK), Arran Paterson, Michael Ironside, Ryan Spink.
Aberdeen: Nick Suman, Lewis Carrol (C), Jamie Mercer (Jay Henderson 77), Cooper Masson (Kai Gauld 61), Andrew Fasanya, Aaron Cummings, Joesph Teasdale David Okoro 90+1, Zak To, Jack Searle, Findlay Marshall (Sam McLean 46), Joel Okhuoya.
Subs: Theo Simpson (GK), Paddy Wilson, Bradley Chikomo, James Jarvie, Jj Hulse.
Aberdeen Goal: Marshall 29
Booking: Gauld 88
