match report
Aberdeen U20 3 | Rose 13′, Masson 21′, O’Neil 54′ (Pen)
Kilmarnock U20 0 |
SPFL U20 League | Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead | 6pm ko | Full Time
A very young Aberdeen U20 side this evening beat Kilmarnock 3-0 at Balmoor, Peterhead. It was an important win for the Dons and gives them a timely confidence boaster ahead of the sides Youth Cup tie on Sunday at Rugby Park.
Before the game Neil Cooper had further injury worries to contend with. Kieran Gibbons was out injured meaning the Dons were without defenders Craig Murray and Craig Duguid through injury, Scott Rumbsy who is still on loan and Scott McKenna is away with the Scotland U19s. Gibbons had been filling in at centre half. Allan O’Sullivan was also away on international duty with the Ireland U19 side.
The Dons lined up with Rogers in goal, Campanile at right back, Storie was put in the central defence role alongside Rose with Michael Kelly coming in at left back. The midfield three were McMahon, Masson and O’Neill, Ferries and Scott Wright were in the wide positions and Shankland was upfront. Young Scott played a full game for the U17s yesterday. Both he and Kelly had very good games.
Kilmarnock had a strong looking line up which included a number of players with first team experience including winger Chris Johnston. In fact it was Johnston who had the first shot of the game on five minutes when his pace created space for himself but he fired his shot just over. The Dons played the tricky winger extremely well and Marcus Campanile had an excellent game up against him.
The Dons were looking a lot hungrier than in previous weeks. The wet weather meant the pitch was very slick and was probably helping the Dons move the ball about a bit quicker. On 11 minutes Ferries cut in from the right and played a good reserve pass for Masson to run onto. Jamie was one on one with the keeper but from a tight angle just put his shot wide. He was unlucky as he did not have a lot of the goal to aim at.
Two minutes later though the young Dons were ahead. From a Masson free kick the ball was played to the back post area. Kilmarnock failed to attack the ball and Michael Rose was on hand to head home.
The goal gave the young Dons confidence and they started knocking the ball about. They were also working extremely hard to close down opposition players. This approach led to the second goal. On 21 minutes Kilmarnock were knocking the ball about at the back. The ball was played back to keeper MacKay who made a mess of it and under pressure from Shankland. Lawrence did really well to chase down the keeper, who could only play a weak ball out of defence. The ball landed at the feet of Jamie Masson who said thank you very much and he coolly rolled the ball past Shankland and the keeper into the net.
Kilamarnock did come more into the game and had a few dangerous moments but the Aberdeen defence this week looked a lot more solid and Rose and Storie put in some very good blocks. Storie’s reading of the game was excellent throughout and the two central defenders formed a good partnership.
On 37 minutes Stephen O’Neill was unlucky with a chip which went just over the bar after more poor defending whilst at the other end Rogers made a very good and important stop just before half time. Robbie Muirhead hit a shot from the edge of the area, and Danny had to tip it round the post.
HT
In the second half Aberdeen continued not to look in any real danger and on 54 minutes they made the game safe by grabbing a third. A minute before that Shankland was put in and he very nearly scored but the keeper blocked at his near post. Kilmarnock failed to clear the corner and Scott Ferries picked the ball up, showed some good quick feet in the box which invited the foul and referee Watt pointed to the spot. O’Neill and Masson had a chat about who would take it but captain O’Neill took the ball and decisively fired home and put the keeper the wrong way.
On 61 minutes Masson put in a dangerous cross which was not far away from from Shankland – the two players combined well all night. Jamie had a very good game in a more forward position and was offering Lawrence plenty of support. With the game safe Neil Cooper put Jones on for Wright and Petrie on for Ferries. The Dons were determined to keep a clean sheet and in the later stages Rose and McMahon picked up yellow cards. The team showed great determination all night. In the final few minutes Shankland was through one on one, he tried to round Mackay but the keeper did really well to dive and get a touch on the ball.
Rogers, Campanile, Kelly, O’Neill, Rose, Storie, Ferries (Petrie 84′), McMahon, Shankland, Masson, Wright (Jones 75′)
Substitutes not used | Burns, Petrie, Dunbar, Robertson
Kilmarnock U20 | Mackay, Barbour, Thomson, Slater, Hodge, Syme, Kiltie, Jacobs, Muirhead, Winchester, Johnston
Substitutes | Hainey, trialist, McEvoy, Hawkshaw, Pooler, Splaine.
RedTV | Neil Cooper Post Match reaction please click here
RedTV | highlights from the game please click here (to follow)
We can confirm the details for our forthcoming SFA Youth Cup match as follows:
MATCH: Kilmarnock v Aberdeen
COMPETITION: Youth Cup – Round 3
DATE: Sunday 20th October 2013
VENUE: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
KICK-OFF: 2pm
