CAS Under 18 League – Rangers Training Ground, Auchenhowie 10th May 2024 Rangers 1 Aberdeen 2
The Aberdeen U18s have won the Club Academy Scotland U18 league after a really nervous afternoon, and once again the young Dons had to do it the hard way, but as they have done all season, they showed tremendous character to get over the line. Rangers took the lead through substitute Allan in the first half but crucially Aberdeen equalised within five minutes, Fletcher Boyd netting after Findlay Marshall had hit the post. Aberdeen then took the lead in the second half, Marshall with great finish. In the closing stages Rodrigo Vitols made two unbelievable saves to help the Dons to victory.
Report
The challenge for the Young Dons was straightforward, beat Rangers and they would be crowned champions of the CAS Elite Under 18 League for 2023/24. However, they have not yet beaten the Light Blues in four attempts this season, the most recent meeting seeing Steven Smith’s side narrowly win the SFA Youth Cup Final at Hampden.
Aberdeen’s fighting spirit was there for all to see in the recent come from behind victories over Queens Park and Celtic, while Rangers 4-2 success at Rugby Park had opened the championship title door for the Dons to step through if they could win one more game at this level.
The game kicked off in glorious conditions, with the mercury hitting 21 degrees centigrade. Rangers suffered an early injury scare when Kerr went down after a strong challenge from Brendan Hamilton, but the home full back was able to resume.
Gentles raced through to chase a fine through ball but Rodrigo Vitols quickly snuffed out the danger. Kerr picked out Robertson at the far post with a diagonal ball but the Rangers man’s header was weak.
Vitols was called into action in the ninth minute making a terrific double save from first Gentles then Stewart. Aberdeen responded with a Timothy Akindileni header from Fletcher Boyd’s corner, the effort narrowly missing the target.
Both teams were playing some pleasing looking football but the respective defences were maintaining excellent discipline and shape meaning clearcut openings were at a premium.
A slick move from the Dons saw Alfie Stewart have a shooting chance from distance, but the shot was always rising and didn’t trouble Halliwell in the home goal.
Rangers made a change on 26 minutes, Allen replacing Kerr who wasn’t able to shake off the effects of the early tackle from Hamilton.
A quick break from Rangers was snuffed out by an alert Hamilton whose clearing header went narrowly past the post for a corner. McClure’s flagkick from the left was met perfectly by substitute Allen whose effort flashed past Vitols to give Rangers a 29th minute lead.
A long ball over the top saw Alfie Bavidge racing in on goal, his angled shot just too close to Halliwell who saved at the second attempt. However, the equaliser arrived on 32 minutes, Findlay Marshall’s shot crashing off the post into the path of Fletcher Boyd who coolly picked his spot from the rebound to register his 19th goal of a prolific league campaign.
Former Everton man Allen was proving to be a thorn in the side of the Dons defence and his powerful run on 45 minutes ended with a shot which flew narrowly over the bar.
Alfie Stewart was next to threaten, bursting into the box after a quick throw in, but he toe ended the ball just wide of goal.
All square at the break and all still to play for. Both coaches will have been pleased by their teams efforts in a very evenly matched, entertaining contest.
Half time – Rangers 1 Aberdeen 1
Aberdeen missed a great chance to take the lead immediately after the break, Marshall shooting wide after the ball broke to him perfectly around ten yards from goal. At the other end, Vitols was alert to the danger smothering a close range effort from Stewart.
A great run from Bavidge ended with a tame shot as the Dons transitioned at pace after some Rangers pressure. On 52 minutes, the Dons took the lead, Findlay Marshall rifling a left foot shot beyond Halliwell after the ball had been played in from the inside right channel. Only Marshall’s second league goal of the season, but definitely the most important.
Wark and Adamson came on for the home side, for whom Gentles came very close to grabbing an equaliser, dragging his left-footed shot just wide.
Just beyond the hour mark, Alfie Stewart was replaced by Cooper Masson while Weir came on for Rangers. Kai Watson took over as captain for the Dons.
A foul on Bavidge 25 yards from goal gave the Dons a set piece opportunity, Hamilton’s whipped shot ruffling the side net. Watson was the first man into the book on 68 minutes after tugging Allen’s shirt.
Aberdeen’s high press was causing problems for the home side when they tried to play out from the back and they were winning all the aerial jousts when Halliwell had to play the ball long. As the game edged towards its conclusion, the Dons were looking comfortable.
Marshall played the ball through for Boyd who slipped it infield to Wilson, Cammy’s shot just a foot too high. Rangers were still in the game though and Vitols had to be off his line like a sprinter to prevent Weir getting an effort on goal.
Stevie Smith made his final change on 83 minutes as Leitch replaced Wyllie then a deflected shot spun just wide of the Aberdeen goal.
From the corner, Rodrigo Vitols made a miraculous save to deny Allen a second goal.
Incredibly the big Dons keeper produced an even better save two minutes later to deny Wark. Top stuff from the Latvian. Teasdale and Clark then replaced Boyd and Mackie as the game moved into stoppage time. Masson received a yellow card for delaying play as the home side pushed desperately but they couldn’t get that vital goal which meant huge celebrations from the men in red when the final whistle blew after a nerve shredding five minutes of stoppage time.
Full time – Rangers 1 Aberdeen 2
Stats:
Teams:- Rangers:- Halliwell; Kerr (Allen 26), Scott, Grant (C), Campbell, Wyllie (Leitch 83), McClure, Robertson (Wark 55), Gentles, Burnside (Adamson 55), Stewart (Weir 62). Unused substitutes:- Thackray (GK), Bell, Weir.
Aberdeen:- Vitols, Carrol, Hamilton, Stewart (C) (Masson 62). Watson, Akindileni, Bavidge, Boyd (Teasdale 89), Mackie (Clark 89), Wilson, Marshall. Unused substitutes:- Kondolo, Ross, Green, Smillie (GK), Stephen
Goals: Rangers – Allen 29 Aberdeen – Boyd 32, Marshall 52 Booked: Rangers – Aberdeen – Watson 68 Referee – Ben Lawton. Assistants – Chris Little and Stuart Ogg.
