Aberdeen U18s 2-2 Rangers U18s Club Academy Scotland U18 Elite League Tuesday 4th March 2025 Cormack Park
Summary:
After their 4-3 victory against Celtic last time out, Aberdeen U18s faced the other half of the Old Firm at Cormack Park on Tuesday afternoon. The Young Dons went into this one with the opportunity to leapfrog Kilmarnock into 3rd with a victory.
Scott Anderson made three changes to his starting XI. Samuel Payne and Jack Searle were named on the bench whilst Ellis Clark, Zak To and Fraser Mackie returned to fold after missing last Friday’s affair. Victor Enem missed out on the squad due to picking up a slight knock.
Fraser Mackie’s cheeky finish would be the highlight of the first period before the affair exploded into life in the 2nd half. Callum Burnside’s free kick would level things early into the second half before being sent off for violent conduct. Plenty of bookings followed for both sides as there was no love lost between the teams. The Dons thought they had won it right at the end as the inform Joseph Teasdale poked home on 87 minutes, but a lapse in concentration would see Adamson level the tie in added time.
Report:
Rangers kicked off the first half with the wind against them which McGuire and his defence would notice after a few early clearances.
Arran Kerr picked up an early booking after tripping up Dylan Ross who was in the clear following an excellent Rodrigo Vitols goal kick.
Fraser Mackie opened the scoring on 14 minutes after a short Aaran Kerr back pass set the striker through on goal at a rather tight angle. With both corners closed off, Mackie nutmegged McGuire to put the Dons in front.
It looked like Mackie had earned his side their second just four minutes later as his sharp touch and turn forced an unbelievable reaction save from McGuire.
Vitols was next called into action after Aiden McCallion showed some real bite in the midfield, fighting off Clark and Fletcher Boyd before playing a well weighted through ball into Callum Burnside who’s curling effort took a deflection and was palmed wide of the post by the Aberdeen captain.
The visitors did have the height advantage and were not afraid to use it as they often looked for Christopher Eadie to hold things up for them whilst his side pushed forward. His control and strength created a decent chance for his teammates as he brought the ball down to Cameron Fernie whose mazy run would open up space for Alexander Smith to receive but he shot into the hands of Vitols.
Rangers did enjoy spells of success most notably around the half an hour mark, however, with every cut out attack, Aberdeen’s pace up front gave the visitors something to think about. Teasdale and Mackie linked up nicely on every turnover and helped to bring their side upfield, each having pops on goal from similar transitional scenarios.
Just on the stroke of halftime Cooper Masson would nearly replicate his goal against Celtic as Zak To’s quick feet in the box kept possession and lay the ball off to Masson who unleashed a thunderous half volley that would kiss the outside of the post to a round of applause from the home fans.
Half Time Aberdeen 1-0 Rangers
Scott Anderson made a half-time change as he brought on Samuel Payne in place of Zak To.
Rangers would find their equaliser early into the second half. Boyd’s challenge on Alexander Smith on the edge of the box deemed a foul and a bookable offence. The resulting free kick saw Lewis Stewart tee up Smith whose strike would make its way into the bottom left corner on the 52nd minute.
The leveller breathed some life into the game as both sides grew in aggression. Unfortunately, things did spill over. A challenge on Burnside ignited both sides into a fight that saw Lewis Carrol and Eadie booked, and Burnside sent off.
Just six minutes later Carrol would be sent for an early shower as his firm challenge on Hutchinson earned him a second yellow making it 10 vs 10 with 20 minutes to play.
Jack Wylie would nearly put his side ahead from the resulting free kick as his unchallenged header bounced up into the hands of Vitols.
The Young Dons endured a plethora of Rangers attacks in the final 20. Lewis Stewart would look the most likely to put his side ahead as he took on Green and curled an effort just over the bar. Eadie would be next to have a chance as he was sent through one on one and looked to round a sweeping Vitols but the keeper knelt and stuck his leg out to regain possession in a heart in mouths moment for the Dons.
Somewhat against the run of play, Aberdeen would go ahead at the death. Mackie was given room on the right wing, beating his man and squaring the ball to Teasdale to tap home for his 4th goal in two outings with three minutes to play.
It wasn’t all said and done, however, as Rangers would find themselves in the Dons box just a minute later as Adamson received a dinked pass round the corner and struck low and hard, but Vitols was there yet again to make the stop.
Unfortunately for the home side it was not the last time Adamson would face up against their captain. A poor clearance from Vitols would fall straight to the feet of the substitute who bundled forward and slotted past the keeper to level the game in the 92nd minute. It was a real gut wrencher as the keeper enjoyed a great game up until that point.
Full Time: Aberdeen 2-2 Rangers
STATS:
Aberdeen: Vitols, Ross, Carrol, Henderson, Clark, Masson, Mackie, Boyd (Green 73’), Teasdale, To (Payne 45), McDonnell
Subs Not Used: Douglas, Searle, Stephen
Goals: Mackie 14’, Teasdale 87’
Bookings: Boyd, Carrol (Sent-off)
Rangers: McGuire, Kerr, Wyllie, Campbell, McCallion, Stewart (Christie 83’), Fernie (Adamson 58’), Eadie, Smith (Hutchinson 58’), Burnside
Subs Not Used: Thackray, Hynd, Caldwell
Goals: Smith 52’, Adamson 90+3’
Bookings: Kerr, Eadie, Adamson, Burnside (Sent-off)
