Chris Clark returns to action

 SPFL U20 League | Aberdeen U20 v Dunfermline Athletic U20 | Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead | kick off 2pm

Aberdeen U20s 3

Shankland 10, Wright 67, O’Sullivan 80

Dunfermline U20s 0

Aberdeen U20s kept their unbeaten running going this afternoon with a very good performance at a very cold Peterhead. Chris Clark made his comeback this afternoon and impressed at right back. Barry Robson was also very impressive in the middle of the park and both men got a good 90 minutes under their belts. Josh Magennis also made his comeback from injury but was forced off after only 13 minutes after receiving a knock. It is thought though the new injury is not too serious and nothing more than a dead leg.

In a very even first half the only goal was scored by Lawrence Shankland after great play by Scott Wright. The game was evenly poised for long periods but the young Dons got a vital second goal midway through the second half when Wright and Shankland combined again, this time young Scott scored. Allan O’Sullivan then added a third late on as he latched into a Wright through ball. The score line was maybe a little tough on the visitors who helped make it a very entertaining match.

Aberdeen U20s kept their unbeaten running going this afternoon with a very good performance at a very cold Peterhead. Chris Clark made his comeback this afternoon and impressed at right back. Barry Robson was also very impressive and both men got a good 90 minutes under their belts. Josh Magennis also made his comeback from injury but was forced off after only 13 minutes after receiving a knock. It is thought though the new injury is not too serious and nothing more than a dead leg.

In a very even first half the only goal was scored by Lawrence Shankland after great play by Scott Wright. The game was even poised but the young Dons got a vital second goal midway through the second half when Wright and Shankland combined again, this time young Scott scored. Allan O’Sullivan then added a third late on as he latched into a Wright through ball. The score line was maybe a little tough on the visitors who helped make it a very entertaining match.

The Dons lined up with Nicky Weaver in goal, Chris Clark was at right back with young Michael Kelly at left back, Scott McKenna and Michael Rose were in central defence. Craig Murray played on the right side of midfield with Barry Robson and Stephen O’Neill in the middle and Scott Wright on the left. Josh Magennis supported Lawrence Shankland upfront.

There were some concerns about whether the game would take place or not due to the weather but the Peterhead staff did a great job to clear the snow and get the match on. Although the pitch was playable it was slippery underfoot and both sets of players deserve credit for putting on such an entertaining match.

In the early stages all the players struggled to get used to the conditions and but slowly Aberdeen started to find their passing range. On eight minutes Craig Murray did really well down the right. He beat his man and put a very dangerous cross across the face of goal. The Dunfermline defence very nearly put the ball into their net before clearing the ball of the line. The clearance fell to Stephen O’Neill but his shot was saved.

On 10 minutes Aberdeen took the lead with an excellent goal. Michael Kelly played a good ball from the back to Scott Wright who showed a brilliant piece of skill to turn his man. He ran down the line before cutting the ball back to Shankland who hammered a rocket into the net from just inside the area.

Just before the goal Josh Magennis had picked up a leg knock and on 13 minutes he had to be replaced by Allan O’Sullivan. A minute later the Dons very nearly scored a second when Robson’s free kick was headed over by McKenna in the six yard box. Then on 20 minutes a Robson corner was headed on by Rose, his header found Shankland who saw his header cleared off the line.

After that the Pars came back into the game and enjoyed a good little spell. On 24 minutes full back Williamson got in behind the Dons defence and put in a dangerous cross which went right across the face of goal.

The rest of the half was very even and end to end. On 40 minutes Murray beat his man down the right channel. His cross was missed by O’Sullivan, it found Shankland but he put his effort inches past with the keeper rooted to the spot. Just before the break Williamson again got in behind the Dons defence and put over another very dangerous cross but he just failed to find a Pars player. Then Husband puts a shot just over.

HT.

The first chance after the break fell to Scott Wright on 52 minutes when he broke free but his shot in the box was well blocked by keeper Gill. The Pars then had to enjoyed another good spell. After a fine run centre forward Thomson put his shot just over. On 59 minutes the same player then put a shot just wide after a corner. The Dons defence was put under a lot of pressure but they held out well.

On 62 minutes Craig Murray latched onto a good pass from O’Neill and went down in the box. It looked like a penalty and the linesman appeared to signal for an infringement but the referee waved play on.

On 67 minutes the Dons grabbed a vital scored goal. It was set up by Stephen O’Neill was played a fantastic pass to put Shankland in. The striker ran into the box before looking up and picking out Wright at the back post. Young Scott showed good composure to calmly pick his spot and the ball went in off the post. That goal took the sting out of the visitors and Aberdeen were able to control the possession and see out the game. On 77 minutes another great O’Neill pass almost put Murray in. Then on 80 minutes Scott Wright played a very good forward pass for Alan O’Sullivan to run onto. The Irish U19 International coolly slotted the ball home and beat the onrushing keeper. Just before the end the keeper Gill did stop O’Sullivan grabbing his second with a very good block.

At the other end Nicky Weaver did not have too much to do as he had been well protected by McKenna and Rose but in the final few minutes the keeper made a good block with his legs to stop Johnson getting a consolation and in the last act of the game Dunfermline midfielder Husband hit a shot that was heading into the top hand corner but Weaver pulled off a fantastic flying save.

Weaver, Clark, Kelly (Duguid 84), O’Neill (McMahon 84), McKenna, Rose, Murray, Robson, Magennis (O’Sullivan 13), Shankland, Wright Subs: Rogers, Campanile, O’Sullivan, Jones, Petrie

Dunfermline: Gill, Williamson, Drummond, Johnston, O’Kane, Martin, Graham, Husband, Thomson, Spence, Ferguson Subs: McMillian, Orru, Forrest

SPFL Youth League | scores tonight

Aberdeen 3 Dunfermline 0

Hearts 2 Inverness CT 1

St Mirren 0 Partick Thistle 3

Falkirk 3 Dundee Utd 1

Rangers 2 St Johnstone 2

Motherwell 0 Celtic 5

Ross County P Hamilton Accies P

Hibernian P Kilmarnock PRedTV |

to watch the match highlights please click here

to listen to Neil Cooper’s post match interview please click here

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