Aberdeen U18s – Rangers U18s Club Academy Scotland U18 Elite League Friday 9th May 2025 Cormack Park
Summary:
The Young Dons looked to close out their 24/25 home campaign in style as they took on Rangers in the CAS U18 Elite League penultimate fixture at Cormack Park on Friday afternoon.
Elis Clark returned to the fold after missing out on their trip to Paisley last Friday. The midfielder came into the team in place of Sam McLean.
However, it was the away side who came away with all three points, with Rangers earning a convincing 3-0 win at Cormack Park with first half strikes from Alexander Smith and Cormac Christie while Joshua Gentles closed things out in the second.
Report:
Aberdeen faced a stiff test against wind in the opening period made evident as goalkeeper Greg Thackray’s clearances twice flew deep into the path of Rodrigo Vitols.
An early stoppage in play following a head clash involving Zak To would allow both sides to regroup after quite a slow start.
Noah McDonnell was called into action on 15 after a sharp turn from Cameron Fernie allowed him to break free into the box. The Dons defender produced a spectacular block, throwing his body in-front of the goal line to deny the opener.
Lewis Stewart’s burst of pace earned the visitors a corner in the 20th minute, and from the set piece, the referee spotted grappling from Cooper Masson and pointed to the spot. The opposing captains stood eye to eye as Ranger’s Blaine McClure stepped up but was denied by Vitols, who reacted superbly to get down to his right and keep the game level.
The breakthrough wasn’t far off however. Stewart’s pace again caused problems down the left wing, and his cutback across the box was cleverly dummied by Christie. The ball rolled to Smith, whose toe-poked finish had just enough on it to beat Vitols before the half-hour mark.
Eager to hit back, Aaron Cummings took it upon himself to make things happen. The midfielder bulldozed his was past two Gers’ players before finding flying fullback Victor Enem racing through on the overlap. He struck powerfully but over the bar.
To nearly found the equaliser as he got on the end of an inviting Searle cross in the 31st minute.
The resulting goal kick would see what looked to be a routine clearance fly in behind the Dons defence forcing Vitols to make his way off his line. The Aberdeen defence watched on as they all believed their line stood strong while Christie pounced. Vitols was stuck in two minds as he saw Christie baring down on goal. His attempted clearance would ricochet off the forward gifting the Rangers no.9 a tap in into an empty net.
Cummings would find Enem in space once again just before the break. This time, the fullback would cut the ball back to Clark on the edge of the area whose strike stung the palms of Thackray but to no avail.
Rangers were the stronger side in the first half and went into the break with a deserved lead, while Aberdeen were hoping for a quick response in the second.
Half Time Aberdeen 0-2 Rangers
As expected, the hosts made an attacking change at the break. Tristan Stephen was introduced for Cummings, while Jay Henderson replaced Carrol in defence.
Stephen wasted little time making an impact. Just three minutes into the half, he pounced on a loose touch from Campbell and surged forward, only to see his low effort towards the bottom corner deflected by the heel of Thackray, denying what would have been a dream start to the half for the Dons.
Henderson was immediately thrown into the thick of things as his two clearances prevented promising attacks from the away side.
Rangers substitute Gentles would kill any hope of a comeback as he got the third of the afternoon. The ball eventually fell kindly to the midfielder on the edge of the area, and he took full advantage, setting himself before unleashing a superb half-volley into the top corner that left Vitols with no chance.
Vitols ,however, continued to shine as he would provide a fantastic double save just after the hour mark making himself big for shots from Christie and Smith. The saves would spark a quick counter from the Dons which saw Searle soar up field and curl the ball into the near post.
Gentles nearly grabbed his second moments later as his curled effort forced yet another mouth watering save from the Aberdeen captain.
Despite their best efforts, Aberdeen struggled to create many more chances in the closing stages. Every loose ball and header was contested for but the final touch and or pass continued to elude them.
Substitute Bradley Chikomo would nearly find the consolation in the 90th after he smartly sniffed out Henderson’s clearance, however, it wasn’t to be as his side footed attempt would roll just past the post in the game’s final action.
The young Dons close out their league season next Friday evening away to Hibernian, kick-off 6pm at the Hibernian Training Centre.
Full Time: Aberdeen 0-3 Rangers
STATS:
Aberdeen: 1. Rodrigo Vitols, 2. Victor Enem (Green 64’), 17. Noah McDonnell, 4. Lewis Carrol (Henderson 45’), 3. Dylan Ross, 8. Cooper Masson, 7. Ellis Clark (McLean 64’), 16. Zak To, 18. Aaron Cummings (Stephen 45’), 9. Fraser Mackie, 14. Jack Searle (Chikomo 78’’),
Subs: 20. Conner Douglas, 6. Jay Henderson, 11. Samuel McLean, 12. Oliver Green, 15. Tristan Stephen, 19. Bradley Chikomo
Unused Subs: 20. Conner Douglas
Rangers: 1. Greg Thackray, 2. Aaran Kerr, 3. Lyle Wark, 4. Oliver Hynd, 5. Connor Campbell, 6. Blaine McClure (Eadie 72’), 7. Alexander Smith, 8. Cameron Fernie, 9. Cormac Christie (Adamson 72’), 10. Aiden Crilly (Gentles 45’) 11. Lewis Stewart (Burnside 72’)
Subs: 21. Ryan McGuire, 12. Jack Wylie, 14. Callum Adamson, 15. Callum Burnside, 16. Joshua Gentles, 17. Christopher Eadie
Unused Subs: 21. Ryan McGuire, 12. Jack Wylie
Goals: Smith 27’ Christie 32’ Gentles 53’
