match report; highlights on RedTV

Aberdeen U20 0 |

SPFL U20 League | Tuesday 15th April 2014 | Tannadice | 6pm | FT

A very young Aberdeen side went down 1-0 to Dundee United at Tannadice this evening. Neil Cooper handed full debuts to U17 players Sam Robertson and Lewis Dunbar. Fellow U17 players Richie Petrie and Michael Jones also started and U16 Scotland school boy Frank Ross came off the bench for his debut along with Kalvin Orsi. Dundee United were probably just the better team in the first half, although Aberdeen had the better chances. The young Dons were by far the better team in the second half but failed to take any of their openings in front of goal.

Neil Cooper lined the side up with Burns in goal, Dunbar at right back, Rose and McKenna in the centre of defence with Robertson at left back. Murray and Petrie were the sitting midfielders with Jones on the right and O’Sullivan on the left. McManus played just off Calvin Zola up front.

Aberdeen started the game strongly and Allan O’Sullivan very nearly scored in the first minute. The big Irish striker cut in off the left but his powerful strike was well saved by Joe McGovern in the United goal. The keeper had a very good game this evening, as he did in the match at Peterhead earlier in the season.

The home side then took the lead on 13 minutes. Aberdeen gave the ball away in the midfield area. United captain Smith ran in on goal and his shot across Burns appeared to be heading into the corner. Sam Robertson tried in vain to keep the shot out but could only help the ball into the net.

United were lifted by the goal and a number of their young players impressed as they pinned the Dons back. They dominated possession but Aberdeen still had chances on the break. Declan McManus was unlucky with two efforts from the edge of area. Craig Murray had a great run from the half way line but ran out of steam after he had rounded the keeper and McGovern then made a good block to keep out O’Sullivan after Murray had played him in. Although United had more of the possession, the Dons defence prevented them from getting any clear openings at goal and any time they did get shots away Burns’ handling was excellent.

HT

In the second half Aberdeen again started strongly and they would go on and dominate the half. They played a more direct style to utilise Calvin Zola’s height. Calvin had a decent second forty-five as he brought the youngsters round about him into play. The Dons went close on a number of occasions. Lewis Dunbar forced a save from McGovern. McManus looked the most likely to score but he chipped one effort over and McGovern produced a couple of good saves. Zola was not far away from getting a touch in front of goal, Rose had a header cleared off the line and he put an effort over and Craig Murray put a header over the bar.

Later in the game United did create a few openings as Aberdeen threw players forward but again Burns did not really have many saves to make. In the closing stages Michael Rose was bundled off the ball in the box but nothing was given.

The young Dons certainly deserved a point for their efforts this evening but for a second week in a row on the road were made to pay for not taking their chances.

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RedTV | Neil Cooper post match please click here

Subs: Anderson, Russell, Robson

Aberdeen: Burns, Dunbar, S Robertson, Petrie, (Orsi 51) McKenna, Rose, Jones, Murray, McManus, Zola, O’Sullivan (Ross 62)