Match report
Ross County U20 1 | Macleod 30′
Aberdeen U20 1 | McManus 51′
SPFL U20 League | Wed 26th March 2014 | Global Energy Stadium | 2pm | FT
Reaction to follow
Aberdeen U20’s claimed a point in Dingwall this afternoon in a game which largely mirrored the first team clash between the two sides last night.
Danny Rogers made a good save in the opening stages from Alex Cooper (son of Dons legend Neil) early on and followed this up with another from a Maatsen cross into the box. However, whilst preventing the ball from crossing the line, Rogers collided with the post and suffered what looked like a bad injury. Play resumed over 5 minutes later after Rogers received treatment and he was replaced by Craig Burns. After that, County took the lead on the half hour mark, when Kyle Macleod nipped in to slot home.
The home side probably had the better of the chances after that with Maatsen & Saunders going close. The best chances for The Dons came down the right with Craig Murray swinging in some very good deliveries while Marcus Campanile also put in a great ball from the right which was not far from getting a touch into the back of the net.
Burns had a good save from Maatsen and Saunders had a header which went over the bar as the half drew to a close.
HT 1-0
The Dons suffered another injury blow at half time when Matthew McMahon had to be replaced by Lewis Dunbar. Within a few minutes Dunbar set Murray up for a header which was saved. From the corner, Orsi played it to McManus and the striker produced a quite brilliant finish to curl the ball into the top left hand corner.
After that it was very even. Burns had a great save from Tony Dingwall when he pushed the ball onto the post. Just after the hour mark Clark Robertson- making his comeback from a long injury absence- was replaced by Sam Robertson in a pre-planned move.
Burns produced another good save from a Dingwall low shot which he must have seen late. Craig Murray went close with a free-kick which went just wide. Lewis Dunbar then did well down the right to set up Campanile and his low drive was just turned round the post. Michael Jones also had a chance in the box but put it past the post.
In the closing stages both sides could have won it. The best chance fell to Darren Maatsen but Burns again produced a good block to earn The Dons a thoroughly deserved point.
Aberdeen team | Rogers (Burns 15′), Murray, C Robertson (S. Robertson 60′), Petrie, Rose, Storie, Jones, Campanile, McManus, McMahon (Dunbar 45′), Orsi
Substitute not used | O’Sullivan
