Club Academy Scotland U18 League
Aberdeen 3 Queen’s Park 2
Cormack Park
The Aberdeen U18s produced a vital win this afternoon as they continue their league challenge. Fletcher Boyd had put the young Dons ahead on the half hour mark but Queen’s Park deservedly went in at the break with a 2-1 lead. It could have been more had it not been for Rodrigo Vitos. However, Aberdeen came out and produced a much better performance in the second half. Fraser Mackie levelled it early on and Boyd won it with an unbelievable effort.
Report
Aberdeen Under 18’s bounced back from Hampden disappointment during the week to defeat Queen’s Park 3-2 at Cormack Park during a rare Saturday afternoon outing for the side – but they were made to work for it after going in behind at the break.
Aberdeen made three changes to their side that narrowly fell to Youth Cup Final defeat during the week: Cooper Masson, Dylan Ross and Ellis Clark all came into the XI: the trio of loanees consisting of Findlay Marshall, Alfie Bavidge and Alfie Stewart all busy elsewhere come 3PM.
The visitors started the first half on the front foot and that was a theme that was to rumble on for the entirety of the opening 45 minutes.
Conor Falls looked a threat for Queens Park, he forced a smart stop out of Rodrigo Vitols. Theo McCormick was next to threaten the Dons backline when he forced a ball across the face of the Dons goal, which was eventually scrambled to safety.
Aberdeen had moments where they showed they had the quality at their disposal if they could find a way to bring it out: Ellis Clark and Boyd linked up nicely on the edge of the box to set up Brendan Hamilton, his low effort forcing a save out of Zach Balfour.
After 26 minutes the young Dons again flashed their talent going forward, this time their reward the opening goal. Down the right flank Kai Watson got forward and provided Boyd with an excellent ball which allowed him to latch on and lift the ball into the back of the net at an angle, giving his side the lead.
Much like on Tuesday night, an equaliser was only ever around the corner and Queens Park hit back just minutes later through Ross Mclean who curled an audacious effort from the edge of the box off the stanchion and into the back of the helpless Vitols’s net.
Jamie Bradley could have put the visitors in the driving seat when he found himself through on goal, thankfully for the Dons he pushed his effort wide of the target.
Aidan McGinlay did get a second goal for Queen’s Park after a fortuitous break allowed him to canter the length of the Aberdeen half towards Vitols, before applying a cool finish to slot under the Dons keeper.
Aberdeen were undoubtedly off the mark during the first half but they had every right to feel aggrieved when Fraser Mackie was hauled down by the Queens Park defender as he ran through on goal. With the visiting defender being the last man, it was a contentious moment in a game that didn’t have much in it.
There was one more chance to close out the half for the Dons after Dylan Ross’s corner was headed down by Clark at the near post, drawing a good save out of Balfour.
HT: Aberdeen 1 Queen’s Park 2.
A double change at the interval for Aberdeen introduced Joseph Teasdale and Tristan Stephen as Aberdeen looked for a way back into the game: Cammy Wilson and Ross made way.
Teasdale’s impact was immediate. The forward won the ball high in the Queens Park half and with the visiting defence off guard the ball was squared to Mackie who made no hesitation with slotting home to get his side level.
It didn’t take long for Aberdeen to retake the lead, and they went about it by producing one of their goals of the season, in a campaign that has produced excellent moments.
Hamilton’s hopeful long ball up the park was picked up on by Boyd, and as he cantered forward to meet what was no more than a searching long ball, he produced a moment of exceptional skill in a blink of an eye to lift the ball over Balfour with his laces and claim his second of the game in style.
The young Dons had found their groove and were now in control of the game. Boyd would have been aggrieved not to grab his hat-trick when he dragged an effort wide, and Stephen came close to grabbing a goal off the bench, his shot saved by Balfour.
Aberdeen could have easily been 4-2 up going into the final 15. The next chance fell to Teasdale who was on the receiving end of Mackie’s whipped cross into the box – the substitutes effort straight at the keeper from close range.
Stuart Duff opted to make some additional changes as the game entered its final stages. Lewis Carrol, who was struggling with a knock picked up was replaced by Zak To. A few minutes later Oliver Green was introduced, replacing Watson.
At the same time as the latter sub, Bradley was shown his marching orders for Queens Park. Confusion hung in the air with regards to what his dismal was for, but he was off none the less and the Spiders had to finish the game with ten.
As the reduced Queens Park battled for an equaliser, Teasdale was presented with a chance to race towards goal and seal the three points but again he was denied by Balfour.
Five minutes of injury time rumbled on but Aberdeen remained resolute to see out the game and secure a vital three points.
Three games to go for the side as their league campaign draws to a close, with the young Dons massively involved in the race for the title. Next up, Celtic at Cormack Park on Tuesday.
STATS
Aberdeen: Vitols, Carrol (To 85’), Hamilton, Masson, Watson (Green 87’), Akindileni, Ross (Teasdale 46’), Boyd, Mackie (Stephen 46’), Wilson, Clark Subs: Kondolo, Searle, Simpson
GOALS: Boyd 26’ 56’ Mackie 49’
Queens Park: Balfour, McCormick, Bell, Carrik, Collie, McVey, McGinlauy, McLean, Falls, Bradley, McDonnell Subs: Burke, Josh Fitzpatrick, Lumsden, Jayden Fitzpatrick, Matheson, Sliwinski
