Young Dons Edge out Celtic in Thriller at Cormack Park

Aberdeen U18s 4-3 Celtic U18s Club Academy Scotland U18 Elite League Cormack Park Friday 28th February 2025

Summary:

It was Aberdeen U18s who took the maximum points at Cormack Park on a cold February Friday night, with Joseph Teasdale’s hat-trick helping the Dons to three points over Celtic, Cooper Masson scoring the vital fourth goal.

The Young Dons sought to improve upon their 0-0 draw to Motherwell on Tuesday, but a strong Celtic side stood in their way. Scott Anderson’s side were looking for revenge against the Hoops after losing 3-1 in Lennoxtown last week.

Victor Enem returned to the side after appearing on the bench in the first team version of this fixture on Tuesday. Fletcher Boyd and Samuel Payne were also back on the team sheet.

It was the Dons who took home all three points in an enthralling encounter at Cormack Park on Friday night. Celtic would open the scoring early through a set piece that Hale would finish off. The home side’s heads didn’t drop however as Teasdale would find an equaliser just before the half hour mark. The visitors would take the lead once again as a deflection let winger Ezekiel Molife on goal who comfortably finished. Teasdale would grab another before half time to level the score and complete his brace.

Aberdeen began the second half excellently with a double in quick succession. Teasdale completed his hat-trick, stabbing home after a well worked counter attack before Masson’s half volley put the Dons 4-2 up. Celtic would grab a late goal through Haney but could not find the late equaliser.

Report:

Aberdeen kicked off the first half and were immediately informed that they were in for an intense evening. Both sides felt each other out in the opening minutes until the visitors were awarded a free kick on the left hand side. Joshua Mulgrew floated an inch perfect ball into the penalty area which Finlay Hale chested in, awarding the visitors the lead just five minutes in.

Minutes later another chance would come for Celtic as captain Jacob Donnelly drove from the edge of the centre circle to the edge of the box to shoot comfortably into the hands of Rodrigo Vitols.

The Dons’ first attempt on goal would come 23 minutes in as Joseph Teasdale beat his man on the left wing before driving inside and shooting wide of the post. This would be a turning point in the game for his side and a sign of things to come.

Filip Skorb was gifted an opportunity to put his side two ahead as Hale would clear the ball upfield. The Celtic striker took what looked to be an ordinary clearance into a decent opportunity as he persisted with his chase of the ball, eventually being rewarded as he took it down and drove at goal. Pressure from Lewis Carrol would put the forward off and having to try and stab home with a toe poke.

Just before the half hour mark Aberdeen found the leveller. Samuel Payne’s ingenuity unleashed Teasdale one on one with Meikle. The forward took no chances with his finish as he struck hard and low at the near post to equalise.

Just two minutes later Celtic rather fortunately found another goal as an unlucky ricochet off of Noah McDonnell in the midfield saw Ezekiel Molife pick up the loose ball and run through the gap left in behind to slot home.

The goals weren’t finished just there as Jack Searle’s quick touch and turn allowed Victor Enem to bomb forward. Searle delivered a sumptuous switch of play to find Enem who’s low cross was met by Teasdale for his second of the night on the 37th minute.

The Dons smelt blood the rest of the half as they pushed forward. A near replica of their previous chance would see Enem found free on the right flank again via a switch of play. The defender would slice in another low cross into the penalty area to Cooper Masson this time who had his shot blocked.

Half-time: Aberdeen 2-2 Celtic

The second period got off to a flyer as Celtic almost took the lead on the 49th minute. Skorb was in the thick of things once again as he was found in the box some strong build-up from the visitors but struck straight off the crossbar.

That missed chance led directly to Aberdeen’s 3rd of the night as they capitalised off the missed opportunity, deciding to counter from it. Payne would gain possession on the right wing before whipping in a teasing ball which confused the Celtic backline. Teasdale reacted fastest and poked in to see his side ahead for the first time on the night 50 minutes in and to complete his treble.

Aberdeen continued from where they left off in the second half as the chances continued to come. Dylan Ross’s cross would find McDonnell who would set the ball for Masson who’s strike was just wide of the post.

The Dons made it 4-2 on the 55th minute in a chance eerily similar to their last. This time it came from the left hand side as Searle attempted a cross, however Meikle punched out only as far as Cooper Masson who was yet again on the edge of the box. His half volley this time would fly past the Celtic keeper to further his sides advantage.

Now 4-2 down, the visitors made changes to try and get a foothold back on the game. Kayden Daly stepped to the field in place of Joshua Mulgrew. Joseph Haney also replacing Aodhan Taylor.

Aberdeen we’re enjoying themselves now creating chances at will. Jack Searle soared past Samuel Sedwell on the left wing before Boyd’s backheel back to the winger who cut it back for Ross on the edge but his shot would fly over the crossbar.

It looked like the Dons got the 5th they were looking for on the 67th minute. Heavily involved Ross delivered a great free kick into the box and Jay Henderson headed in, however the referee deemed a foul and and the goal was ruled out.

An injury to Enem would also see Aberdeen make a change as Oliver Green came in for the fullback in the 72nd minute.

With 15 to play, Celtic grew back into the game regaining some control in the midfield. Growing frustrated, the visitors took every chance they could to play forward forcing corners and free kicks.

It was from a corner where the Hoops scored their 3rd as substitute Joseph Haney sneaked in at the back post to shoot straight at Vitols who made himself big and saved the initial shot. The rebound fell straight back to Clearie who could not miss the empty net on the 82nd minute.

A final chance would appear for Celtic as Liam Kennedy’s lobbed ball would find Haney on the left wing who fired a teasing ball across goal, but nobody was rushing in to attempt a shot on goal.