Young Dons lose out at Oriam

Club Academy Scotland U18 League Heart of Midlothian 3 Aberdeen 2 Friday 12th January 2024 Oriam

Aberdeen Under 18s squandered a two-goal lead to lose out by three goals to two against a dogged Hearts side at their Oriam base this afternoon.

Fraser Mackie opened the scoring before Cammy Wilson won and converted a penalty in the first half, but it was not enough to secure all three points.

There were two changes to the side that came from behind to defeat Motherwell over a month ago: Oliver Green made his first appearance for the Under 18s, lining up from the start at Oriam, alongside Joseph Teasdale who made his first league start at Under 18 level. Dropping out was the suspended Alfie Stewart and Findlay Marshall after the young midfielder headed to a different area of the capital, joining Edinburgh City on loan until the end of the season.

Ellis Clark had the first sight of goal in the clash when the midfielder found himself with enough space on the edge of the box to try his luck, but his shot could only go comfortably over the bar.

After the early Dons chance Hearts stepped up their intensity and for a period the game was resigned to taking place inside the Aberdeen half, thankfully the hosts were unable to make their pressure count, with Rodrigo Vitols in the visiting goal kept relatively quiet.

With a break up the park it was Aberdeen who were able to open the scoring. Fletcher Boyd cantered forward at pace and was able to play through Fraser Mackie who found himself one on one with the keeper: The young number nine kept a cool head and slotted under Tas to give his side the lead.

Just after the half hour mark Aberdeen doubled their advantage. With his first bursting run into the Hearts box of the game Cammy Wilson was able to get on the wrong side of Crookston before being hauled down inside the area, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. It was Wilson who stepped up and calmly converted from twelve yards, sending Tas the wrong way.

The remaining fifteen minutes of the half were played out in worsening conditions as the night got darker and the wind got stronger, but the young Dons defended resolutely to go in 0-2 to the good at the interval.

Half time, Hearts 0 Aberdeen 2.

Unfortunately for Scott Anderson’s side the 2nd half saw the Dons lead fall by the wayside. The hosts pulled one back virtually seconds after the restart, a cutback inside the penalty box was converted by Stevenson.

The equaliser came ten minutes later in similar fashion. Stevenson got the better of Akindileni as he drove forward and was able to square for Hutchison to smash past Vitols.

The Hearts pressure was relentless and Kai Watson, who was deputising as skipper for the suspended Stewart done well to block Chisholm’s shot. Hutchison was next to squander a maroon chance, his free header inside the box wide of goal.

At the other end of the park Teasdale found himself with a half chance at the back post following a set piece routine, but he could only stretch out and send the ball over the bar. Minutes later his game was over, Cooper Masson on in his place for the closing stages.

There was more 2nd half misery remaining for the young Dons and deep into injury time a quickly taken free-kick unleashed Hearts on the attack and with Lewis Carrol still on the deck, the hosts managed to get the ball into the box one last time where the substitute Plesiewicz was able to fire past Vitols from close range to complete the comeback, claim the three points and send the young Dons back up the road with nothing to show for their efforts.

Next up for the Under 18s is the visit of Celtic to Cormack Park next Friday at 3PM, presenting a chance to quickly get back on track after a disappointing trip to Oriam.