Aberdeen U18 2 v 4 St Mirren U18 CAS Under 18 Elite League Cormack Park Friday 28th March 2025
Summary:
Aberdeen U18s succumbed to a 4-2 defeat to St Mirren U18 on Friday in windy conditions at Cormack Park. Both sides struggled to gain control in the early stages with a handful of chances for both sides throughout the first half. The visitors got a grip of the game on the stroke of half time when Ben Stoddart set up Jack Lavery to edge them in front.
Confidence was running high for the Buddies throughout the second half when Thomas Falconer won a 50/50 against Dons captain Rodrigo Vitols. The Dons had an answer to St Mirren minutes later through Sam Mclean who blasted a powerful shot into the roof of the net. However, Aberdeen could not keep St Mirren contained as Farquhar scored minutes later and then Laverty grabbed his second of the afternoon in the last ten minutes. Chikomo grabbed a late consolation goal to finish up a busy second half with St Mirren leaving the North-east with the three points.
Report:
Aberdeen started the game facing the elements and the pressure from the get go as Jack Lavery found Struan Thompson open but thanks to a clean recovery from full-back Dylan Ross who put himself in the way, his shot goes over. Minutes later Zak To almost gave the Dons the lead after making a great run behind the defence but he could not get his shot in on time. Aberdeen had another chance just minutes later when McLean hit a shot from close range but it had too much behind it and went over the bar for a goal kick.
St Mirren did not look concerned as they continued to pepper Rodrigo Vitols’ goal front with chances. The Buddies almost went one up when a cross swung into the Aberdeen box and met the head of Struan Thomson but the Dons defence did not make it easy for him and it bounced just wide of the goal mouth.
As the game neared the half-time mark, Cooper Masson was involved in a nasty collision and was replaced by Tristan Stephen. Aberdeen looked to get themselves into a dominant position through Dylan Ross who made a great run off the back of a Jay Henderson lobbed pass from deep in his own half and almost got a touch to it but St Mirren keeper Grant Tamosevicius came off his line to deal with the threat and sent it back into play.
Minutes before the referee blew for the break, Ben Stoddart found himself on the left corner of the box and passed the ball along the Aberdeen defence to Jack Lavery who slotted his first time shot into the bottom right corner past a diving Vitols to give the visitors the lead going into the break.
Half-Time: Aberdeen U18 0-1 St Mirren U18
Aberdeen looked for redemption minutes into the second half when Joseph Teasdale made a great pass to McLean who took a shot under pressure but it was saved by Tamosevicius. St Mirren did not look like they were phased by this Aberdeen side looking for a second half comeback when Thomas Falconer was found in the middle of the box to fire home a strong shot past Vitols to double the visitors lead.
This commenced a wild ten minute stretch where Tristan Stephen was found in a dangerous position ten yards out and blasted a powerful shot into the roof of the net to bring the Dons back to a one goal deficit. Then only minutes later the visitors restored their two goal lead through Josh Farquhar’s one on one against Vitols with the former coming out on top thanks to a strong shot that flew past the Dons captain.
With fifteen to go, Aberdeen had their backs against the wall and defended well following chances from Ben Stoddart and Josh Farquhar. The Buddies only had to wait till the 81st minute to extend their lead when Stoddart picked up the ball on the left hand side and chipped it in the direction of Lavery who volleyed the ball into the back of the net for his second of the day.
Aberdeen did not give up following that late goal as the subbed on Bradley Chikomo who was ready to intercept a spilled save from Tamosevicius following a long range effort from Teasdale and blasted a close range effort past the St Mirren keeper to close the scoring.
Full-Time: Aberdeen U18 2-4 St Mirren U18
Aberdeen: 1. Vitols, 3. Ross, 4. Carrol, 6. Henderson, 7. Clark (Green 82’), 8. Masson (Stephen 38’), 11. Teasdale, 14. Searle, 16. To, 17. McDonnell, 18. McLean (Chikomo (75’)
Subs: 20, Douglas, 2, 12. Cummings.
Goals: Stephen 52, Chikomo 90’
St Mirren: 1. Tamosevicius, 2. Clark, 3. Falconer, 4. Mcevoy, 5. Hutchison, 6. Hunter, 7. McCormick (Barr 84’), 8. Marshall ( Douglas 84’), 9. Thomspon (Stoddart 34’), 10. Larvey, 11. Farquhar.
Subs Not Used: 25. Innes, 14. O’Brien, 17. Turner
Goals: Lavery 45’, 81’, Falconer 52’, Farquhar 54’
