Young Dons defeat Celtic
Neil Cooper’s side lined up with Rogers in goal, Murray at right back, Kelly at left back, McKenna and Duguid in central defence. In midfield were O’Neill, Clark and Low with Wright playing on the left, McManus on the right and Smith up front.
The first chance of the game saw a cross from the Celtic right cause problems in the penalty area. In the end Murray hit his clearance goal ward and Rogers did well to keep it out before clearing. The opening stages were very competitive and Aberdeen were passing the ball about well on the slick surface. The pace and movement of the Dons front players was excellent and they were picking the ball up in good areas. On 12 minutes Nicky Low picked the ball up and had time to thread an excellent ball through to Wright who had made a good run across the defenders. From a tight angle he put the ball across the face of goal but unfortunately just past the post.
The play was end to end and both teams looked threatening. On 14 minutes Celtic put a good move together before a ball was played over. Connor McManus won the header at the back post area but failed to hit the target. Celtic are a big strong physical side so any aerial balls into the box can be difficult to deal with. Neil Cooper made a tactical change and put Chris Clark back to left back with Michael Kelly moving into the midfield. His experience at the back made a big difference as the game wore on.
On 20 minutes there was a moment of controversy when Cammy Smith beat his man inside the box and was clearly tripped by a Celtic defender who had stuck out a leg. It looked a clear penalty but the referee felt Smith had trip himself and then booked the Aberdeen player for diving. It looked the wrong call. Young Cammy looked astonished.
On 23 minutes Celtic had a great chance to score when Herron got the break of the ball and was one on one with Rogers. The keeper through made a terrific save with his feet after spreading himself. A few minutes later Declan McManus won his side a corner and in the process landed in a massive puddle which was developing behind one of the goals. It was Declan’s first game back since his loan move to Alloa came to an end. He had a very good game. From the corner keeper Fasan punched the ball clear. On 27 minutes the Dons were again appealing for a penalty when Nicky Low dispossed Liam Henderson in the box. The defender tried to recover the situation but appeared to get more of the man than the ball. Low certainly felt it was a penalty.
Two minutes later that grievance the Dons felt for not getting a penalty was increased when Celtic took the lead. Another ball into the box was not dealt with and Patrik Twardzik hammered the ball home, in off the bar, from close range. It was a good finish.
Celtic then took control of the game for a bit and the Dons could have found themselves in further trouble but Rogers was in fine form. Atajic got one on one with the keeper. The Celtic player had space and time so waited for Rogers to go to ground. The keeper though made himself as big as he could for as long as possible before spreading himself and saving with his leg when the shot eventually came in. Superb goalkeeping.
Towards the end of the half the Dons came back into it with Low and O’Neill outstanding in the middle of the park. On 40 minutes Aberdeen won themselves a corner. Low played the ball into the near post area. In what looked a planned move McManus made a late run to the near post area and bulleted a header past the Celtic keeper. A great goal. Declan, who has been the Youth Leagues top scorer for the past two seasons, is very good in the air.
The Dons were level going into the interval.
HT 1-1
At half time Neil Cooper made another tactical change with Marcus Campanile coming on for Michael Kelly. The goal before the break certainly gave the young Dons a lot of confidence and they started the second period very strongly. On 49 minutes they broke quickly and the ball was played wide to McManus. The striker hit a low shot from just inside the box which Fasan appeared to fumble but he grabbed it at the second attempt. To be fair it was a very difficult afternoon for goalkeepers. On 52 minutes the keeper then made a very good save. After another slick move forward Wright picked the ball up at the corner of the area. He showed good feet to beat his man and then hit a great shot which appeared to be heading into the top corner but Fasan tipped it over.
Aberdeen were now well on top and in control in the midfield area. They were dealing comfortably with any Celtic attacks and were looking the more threatening team going forward. On 59 minutes after another good move McManus picked the ball up in the area but was then fouled by O’Connell. This time it was a penalty! None of the Celtic players complained. Nicky Low, who is a Greenock boy but was playing at Cappilow for the first time stepped forward to take it and Nicky coolly put the keeper the wrong way. The Dons had the lead.
Celtic as expected came back at Aberdeen and a few minutes later had the ball in the net when Twardzik tapped home an Atajic cross. The linesman though, after some hesitation, correctly raised his flag for offside. After that though the home side really did not create a lot. The Dons midfield were doing a great job at breaking up any attacks and were keeping possession well. On 70 minutes Fasen made another really good save. Stephen O’Neill, who was quite outstanding today in a central midfield roll, played a diagonal ball to Low. The Dons skipper took one touch before curling a shot which appeared to be going in but again the keeper at full strength managed to get a hand on it.
Celtic were by now frustrated that things were not going their way and started to play long balls forward. With the wet surface the ball would just skip through to Rogers or go out of play. The Dons really were looking comfortable at this stage. Scott Wright almost scored with a brilliant first time volley but his effort just went over. It would have been some goal. Then Campanile made a strong forward run into the box. Just at the point of shooting he lost his footing.
In the closing stages Cammy Smith was taken off and replaced by Matthew McMahon as the Dons tried to shut up shop. The Dons defenders were having a great game but on 86 minutes Atajic beat a couple of tackles and he was through. Thankfully though from about 8 yards out he hammered his effort over. In the final few minutes Celtic threw all their big men forward but Scott McKenna, who was magnificent at the back, won every ball in the air. A couple of times also Rogers showed excellent handling when he came and claimed some high balls.
This was a very good win. A massive effort from every player.
Aberdeen: Rogers, Murray, Kelly (Campanile 46), Clark, McKenna, Duguid, Wright, O’Neill, McManus, Smith (McMahon 82), Low. Subs Burns, O’Sullivan, Jones, Petrie
Celtic: Fasan, Kidd, Chalmers (Waters 70), McManus, Fraser (Kelleher 70), O’Connell, Herron, Henderson (Miller 76), Atajic, Lindsay, Twardzik Subs Hart, Donnelly, Thomson, Tierney
Celtic: Fasan, Kidd, Chalmers (Waters 70), McManus, Fraser (Kelleher 70), O’Connell, Herron, Henderson (Miller 76), Atajic, Lindsay, Twardzik Subs Hart, Donnelly, Thomson, Tierney
Celtic: Fasan, Kidd, Chalmers (Waters 70), McManus, Fraser (Kelleher 70), O’Connell, Herron, Henderson (Miller 76), Atajic, Lindsay, Twardzik Subs Hart, Donnelly, Thomson, Tierney
