Young Dons defeat Dundee United 3-1

Club Academy Scotland U18 League Aberdeen 3 Dundee United 1 Cormack Park

Aberdeen continued their outstanding recent form with a 3-1 victory over Dundee United this afternoon.

The home side dominated most of the possession in the first half but only had one goal to show for their efforts. On 13 minutes right back Timo Fatona drove into the box, got a shot away which the keeper Lewis Haldane parried and as usual striker Alfie Bavidge was in the right place to knock it home.

Bavidge then missed an opportunity when played through by Alfie Stewart, his effort was well blocked by Haldane. Midway through the first half Findlay Marshall had a header at the back post when went inches wide.

After that there were few more chances on goal, but a young Dundee United side were defending their penalty box well. With a back five, the Aberdeen forwards were having to work hard to find space.

And on the stroke of half time a lapse at the back allowed Adam Carnwath through on goal but although he beat the onrushing Blessing Oluyemi, the United striker pulled his shot inches wide.

HALF TIME Aberdeen 1 Dundee United 0

At the start of the second half the visitors started strongly and created a couple of half chances but on 55 minutes the Dons added a second.

Brendon Hamilton found space on the left hand side, the full back put a cross in to the near post area which took a deflection off a defender and rebounded off Alfie Bavidge into the net. The striker was certainly claiming his 29th league goal of the season!

Stuart Duff’s side were well on top and looking comfortable.

Liam Harvey had a couple of shots which just went wide, Adam Emslie’s direct running was always a threat on the left hand side. He put over a couple of dangerous ball.

With twenty-five minutes to go though, United had a lifeline. A ball played in from the left hand side, was missed by everyone and Greg Petrie fired home.

The young Dons regroup and five minutes later regained their two goal advantage. A corner from the right was headed home at the far post by Blair McKenzie. The big defender was a constant threat all afternoon and deserved his goal after another impressive performance.

After that Aberdeen controlled the game and probably should have added to their lead. Harvey again went close, as did Marshall.

Aberdeen are now top of the Club Academy Scotland table.

Their next two fixtures will see them play Rangers away next Friday before welcoming Hibernian to Cormack Park the week after.

FULL TIME Aberdeen 3 Dundee United 1

STATS

Aberdeen 1 Blessing Oluyemi 3 Brendan Hamilton (16 Jamie Mercer 79) 4 Kai Watson (13 Lewis Carrol 88) 2 Timi Fatona (12 Findlay Murray 79) 5 Blair McKenzie 6 Findlay Marshall 7 Adam Emslie 8 Dylan Lobban 9 Liam Harvey 10 Alfie Bavidge (11 Cammy Wilson 56) 11 Alfie Stewart (22 Fletcher Boyd 88) Subs: 15 Milosz Ochmanski 20 Rodrigo Vitols (GK)

Dundee United 1 Lewis Haldane 2 Matthew Mudie 3 Keir Bertie 4 Greg Petrie 5 Arron Donald 6 Scott Constable (18 Harry Welsh 84) 7 Sean Borland (16 Ben Christie 45) 8 Craig Moore 9 Adam Carnwath (15 Tiylar Low 73) 10 Bryan Mwangi 11 Stuart Heenan (12 Alan Domeracki 73) Subs: 14 Owen Stirton 17 Josh Holt