Young Dons produce a 5 star performance
Hearts U20 0
Aberdeen U20 5 | Wright 12′, Wylde 47′, Shankland 50′, 76′, Low 90′
SPFL U20 League | New Victoria Park, Newtongrange | Kick off 7pm | FT
Aberdeen’s U20 side defeated Hearts by five goals to nil at New Victoria Park this evening as they returned to league action. Scott Wright gave the side the lead on 12 minutes with a brilliant finish and 2 minutes later Hearts keeper Ridgers made a great save to stop Jamie Masson from doubling the Dons lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box. Masson, Shankland and Low all went close but the score remained one-nil to the Dons at half time. 2 minutes after the break the Dons did get their second when Wright picked out Wylde who fired home. Wylde turned provider 3 minutes later when he crossed for Shankland who finished well. Aberdeen kept the pressure up and had various chances but had to wait until the 76th minute to score again when Shankland scored from close range. The scoring was completed on the 90th minute when Nicky Low scored a fantastic free kick from just outside the box to cap a good performance from Neil Cooper’s side
SPFL | for a round up of the other scores tonight plus a look at the league table please click here.
RedWeb Full report Match
The Aberdeen U20s bounced back from the disappointment of exiting the SFA Youth Cup on Sunday to put a five star display on against Hearts at Newtongrange this evening.
The Dons lined up with Rogers in goal, Kelly started at left back, Rose and McKenna were the central defenders with Campanile at right back. The midfield three were Low, Masson and Storie with Wylde and Wright in the wide areas and Shankland upfront.
Straight from the off Aberdeen looked well up for this. In the first minute good pressing from Storie forced a mistake from the Hearts defence. Craig had a good sighting at goal but he hurried his effort and blasted over. In the second minute the ball was worked to Masson. His cross at the back post found Wylde, the winger tried a shot from a tight angle but the ball was deflected behind. The Dons were well on top in the early stages and playing some good fast flowing football. Twice Wylde got himself in good areas but his crosses were well saved by Mark Ridgers. The Hearts keeper will be well known to Aberdeen fans, he was on loan at East Fife the night they beat us in the League Cup. The Scotland U21 International had a very good game this evening and kept the score down.
On eight minutes Shankland forced his way into the box. He beat a couple of players but was unable to get a decent shot away. Then on 12 minutes Aberdeen took a deserved lead after a superb individual goal. From a throw in the ball was played to Scott Wright. Scott put the ball through the legs of his marker before smashing a shot across the keeper into the top hand corner. Quite a finish from the winger, his first goal for Aberdeen. Two minutes later it was almost two, Masson picked the ball up on the edge of the area. He did well to create space for himself and hit a curling shot which looked to be going into the corner of the net but Ridgers at full stretch produced a brilliant diving save, tipping the ball round the post.
On 22 minutes a long ball was flicked on by Masson for Shankland to run onto. The striker hit the ball early but was unable to find the target. Shankland and Masson linked up well again tonight. On 24 minutes another opening for Shankland after good pressing. Low played in Lawrence but he was unable to get enough power on the ball from a tight angle. The Dons were pressing Hearts high up the pitch and the Edinburgh side were struggling to cope.
On 36 minutes Nicky Low very nearly created a goal from nothing. Low brilliantly tackled the defender before beating a couple of players. He had done all the hard work but when one on one with the keeper pulled his shot into the side netting.
Hearts rarely attacked during the first half although Sam Nicholson put an effort just over and they put a little bit of pressure on at the end of the half from a couple of corners. Despite all their possession and excellent play the Dons only went in at the break one ahead.
HT
That was all to chance only a couple of minutes into the second half.
After another really good move the ball was worked to Scott Wright on the right. The winger played in a fantastic ball across the face of goal and Gregg Wylde was on hand to hammer it into the empty net. Aberdeen now had their tails up and Masson very near scored a minute later but they did not have long to wait for the third. On 50 minutes Wylde, who had an outstanding game, crossed the ball for Shankland and his first time effort beat Ridgers.
The young Dons were by now running wild. Hearts could not cope with the pace of Wylde and Wright down the wings and gaps were appearing for Low and Masson to run into. On 54 minutes Masson crossed the ball for Wright. His first time volley beat the keeper but unfortunately just went past the post. Would have been some goal.
On 57 minutes Masson played in a deep cross. Wylde played in Shankland and his first time effort only went inches past. Ten minutes later Nicky Low did really well to burst into the box. Just as he was away to get a shot away the fullback Smith covered across and made a goal saving tackle. A minute later Ridgers made another good stop, this time blocking Masson’s effort from close range. Then on 75 minutes another great Dons move but the Hearts keeper made another good stop from Masson, tipping his shot over after Wylde’s cross.
On 76 minutes the Dons got their fourth. The ball was worked down the right and Craig Storie made a good forward run and he was not picked up. Craig chipped the ball across the face of goal, the ball actually landed up hitting the bar which caught out the keeper and Shankland, like any good striker, was on hand to head the ball over the line.
On 78 minutes Rogers made his first save of the game, palming an effort from Nicholson away. The Hearts youngsters deserve credit for never giving up but it was the Dons who were looking to finish the game with another goal. Even with the game well and truly won Nicky Low was still charging forward and driving everyone on. In the 93rd minute Nicky was upended on the edge of the area. He got up himself and curled the ball past the wall into the net for goal number five. This ground has happy memories for the little midfielder who scored a wonder solo goal at the early part of last season at this venue. Tonight’s goal was not bad either and finished off a very good Aberdeen performance.
Aberdeen U20s | Rogers, Campanile, Kelly, Storie, McKenna, Rose, Wright (Jones 81′), Low, Shankland, Masson, Wylde (O’Sullivan 81′)
Subs not used | Burns, McMahon, O’Neill, Petrie
Hearts U20s | Ridgers, Smith, Gordon, Jones (Smith 18), Ford, King, Nicholson, Beith, Henderson (Craigie 55), Oliver (Simpson 63), Carrick
Subs not used | Hamilton, Wilson.
Neil Cooper Post Match Quotes
“It was a great reaction from the players after the game on Sunday. It was what I was looking for. The Manager also spoke to them as well. Sunday was a poor performance but the way we played tonight was similar to how we played last Monday (against Kilmarnock). Right from the word go we were up and at them. We did not let Hearts settle on the ball and when we had had it we were very good and used the ball really well. It was a thoroughly impressive performance from the boys.
“Sunday is now forgotten about and it is what we do from now on that is important.”
We can confirm the details for our forthcoming U20 match as follows:
MATCH: Aberdeen U20 v Hamilton Accies U20
COMPETITION: SPFL U20 League
DATE: Tuesday 5th November 2013
VENUE: Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead
KICK-OFF: 2pm
