Aberdeen U18s 5-1 Kilwinning Rangers
SFA Youth Cup Round 3
Cormack Park
Friday 11 October 2024
Aberdeen U18s secured their place in the next round of the SFA Youth Cup on Friday night with convincing victory, in the end, over Kilwinning Rangers at Cormack Park.
The Dons led 2-0 going into the closing stages of the first 45 before a goal from the hosts set up an intriguing second half: The Young Dons eventually running out 5-1 victors, Fraser Mackie netting a hat-trick on the night.
Report
Victor Enem returned to the side: he replaced Oliver Green. Rodrigo Vitols took the armband, and there was a spot on the bench for the 2010 born Conlan Waldron.
The first chance of the game fell to Mackie who’s stabbed effort from close range as he got on the end of a Searle cross was saved by the feet of Porter in the Kilwinning goal.
Mackie continued to look lively inside the box and saw a headed effort come back off the crossbar as the Dons No.9 met Dylan Ross’s corner.
Enem looked lively down the right-hand side with his combination of physicality and pace proving challenging for the Buffs to deal with. His charging run set up another chance for Mackie: his flicked effort saved again.
The opener did come just after the 15-minute mark and it was Clark who got it, he rose highest to send a header beyond Porter to cap off a well worked short corner routine.
It was a quickfire double that sent the young Dons on their way: just a minute later Mackie finally got his goal as he capitalised on the ball seemingly hanging up inside the box – the striker creatively flicking beyond Porter.
Zak To came close to a third, he hit the post from the edge of the box.
A rare Kilwinning venture into the Aberdeen half earned a half-decent chance after a quick break, but Vitols was more than equal to the effort on the half hour mark.
There was a selection of good Aberdeen chances towards the end of the half, but the Dons were unable to make any count, and it was the visitors who got the last goal of the opening 45 to put the cat amongst the pigeons at Cormack Park, Love capping off a fine move to slot the ball beyond Vitols and set up an intriguing second half.
Half-time, Aberdeen 2-1 Kilwinning Rangers.
There was a double change for the Dons at the break, Lewis Carrol and Green introduced, they replaced Enem and Timothy Akindileni.
There was a good chance for To give his side the control they had earlier in the tie, he was on the end of Joseph Teasdale’s cut back but could only drag his effort wide.
On the 66th minute To added a third after a scramble in the box was recycled back out to the forward, he was able to send the ball beyond Porter on the turn to reinstate the two goal advantage.
Bradley Chickomo was introduced for the final 15 to get some minutes at U18 level, he replaced Teasdale.
With the young Dons back in full control of the cup tie Mackie got his second and his sides fourth of the evening just shy of the 75-minute mark. Amongst a crowded box the forward done well to keep the ball under control before powering an effort past Porter.
Not long after it was a hat-trick for Mackie. A free kick was needlessly conceded out of Kilwinning frustration, Ross showed really quality to send the dead ball along the ground and invitingly towards the near post, Mackie equal to the delivery, he made the run and finished first time. 5-1.
There was one more change but no more goals with Sam Rothnie on to see out the closing minutes of a successful cup tie for the Young Dons as they safely sealed their place in the next round.
Full-time. Aberdeen 5-1 Kilwinning Rangers.
STATS:
Aberdeen: Vitols, Enem (Green 46’), Akindileni (Carrol 46’), McDonnell, Ross, Masson, Clark, To, Teasdale (Chickomo 73’), Mackie, Searle (Rothnie 89’)
Subs not used: Waldron
Kilwinning Rangers: Porter, Strain, McMillan, Fitzsimmons, McGowan, Cummings, Wright, Lechie, McBride, Love, Sanderson
Subs: Mullen, Rose, Scott, Anderson, Wilson, Clark
GOALS: Clark 16’ Mackie 17’ 76’ 79’ To 67’
