match report
Dunfermline Athletic U20 2 | Smith (19), Gray (89)
Aberdeen U20 0
SPFL U20 League | Tuesday 8th April 2014 | East End Park | FT
Aberdeen U20s went down to a 2-0 defeat this evening at East End Park against a strong Dunfermline side. However the young Dons were desperately unlucky not to get anything from the game after a spirited second half showing. In the end they were made to pay for not taking some great chances.
Aberdeen lined up with Burns in goal, Murray at right back, Rose and McKenna in central defence with Clark Robertson at left back. Campanile and Low were the sitting midfielders with Jones on the right, Wright on the left and McManus playing off O’Sullivan in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Dunfermline, with a number of their young first team players playing, started the stronger and Burns was forced to make a good save from Mercer early on. The home side also put over a number of dangerous crosses and free kicks into the box which trouble the Dons defence. Just when it looked like Aberdeen had weathered the initial storm they conceded the opener on 20 minutes. The very impressive full back Alex Whittle did really well down the left and his cross was turned in by Allan Smith.
After that the game was more even with both teams missing chances.
Alan O’Sullivan twice went close for the Dons, his second attempt was a header from close range which bounced just over the bar after Declan McManus had put over a good ball. Declan had another very good game and his movement throughout was excellent. He was unlucky not to get on the score sheet on a couple of occasions. His best effort in the first half was a spectacular overhead kick which was very well saved by Ryan Goodfellow at his near post.
At the other end Scott Mercer found himself in space in the box after poor defending but Burns made a brilliant one handed save from a shot which went across him. Also Michael Rose made a brilliant last ditch tackle to prevent an almost certain goal.
HT
Nicky Low was replaced at half time by Richie Petrie in a pre-planned move. Richie went to right back and Craig Murray was pushed into the centre of midfield. Nicky could well have a part to play in Sunday’s massive game at Ibrox. Despite losing his influence and ability the Dons were a much better team in the second half and dominated for periods. Anytime though they did find themselves in and around the Dunfermline box, the home side defended very well in numbers.
The Pars still posed a threat on the break and with 20 minutes to go substitute Cammy McClair should have made the game safe when through one on one with Burns but the Dons keeper made another very good save.
It the closing stages Aberdeen had two golden opportunities to equalise. First of all Scott Wright used his electric pace to get away from the last defender after a brilliant long ball from Michael Rose. The Scotland U17 International rounded the keeper but was forced wide and was at too tight an angle to shoot. He cut the ball back but O’Sullivan had his shot blocked and the Wright failed to pick out the unmarked McManus. Then with ten minutes to go an even better chance. A lose back pass was pounced on by the alert Campanile and when he got to the ball ahead of the onrushing keeper it looked like he must score. However he delayed his shot which allowed a defender to get back and block on the line. He would have been better squaring the ball to Murray who was up in support. From the resulting corner Rose headed a good chance over the bar.
As is so often the case in football, Neil Cooper’s men were cruelly made to pay for their misses when Scott Gray finished off a good move with a low shot in-off the post from the edge of area in the final few minutes.
RedTV | match highlights please click here
RedTV | Neil Cooper Post Match Interview please click here
Aberdeen team: Burns, Murray, C Robertson, Campanile, McKenna, Rose, Jones (Kelly 75), Low (Petrie 46), McManus, O’Sullivan (Orsi 70), Wright
Substitutes: Mutch, Dunbar, S Robertson, Norris
Dunfermline team: Goodfellow, Williamson, Whittle, Martin, Young, O’Kane, Graham, Byrne, Smith, Mercer, Crossan
Substitutes: Wilson, Gray, McClair, Forrest, Duncan
