The Spartans 5 Aberdeen Development Side 2 KDM Evolution Trophy Vanloq Community Stadium Tuesday 11 November
An Aberdeen Development side ended their KDM Evolution Trophy campaign with a 5-2 loss at the hands of The Spartans on Tuesday night.
The Dons raced into a two-goal lead at the Vanloq Community Stadium before an impressive comeback from the home side turned the tide.
A regular looking Development side was boosted by the involvement of first-teamers Nick Suman and Emmanuel Gymafi for the trip to the capital. Alfie Stewart took the armband, Joseph Teasdale, who had been in excellent form throughout the competition, led the line alongside Tristan Stephen.
The Dons looked bright in the opening minutes, Teasdale found himself played through by an excellent ball from Stephen, the forward unable to get his shot away and the danger cleared.
The Dons did gain the lead on 17 minutes. An excellently improvised finish from Searle saw his lofted effort from inside the box beat Carswell and hand Aberdeen the advantage.
An Aberdeen corner presented a sliver of a chance for Zak To not long after, his half volley from the edge of the box sailing over as the rain continued to pour in Edinburgh.
Another corner, and this time, another goal. Alfie Stewart’s ball managed to evade every Spartans body, winding up with Dylan Ross who coolly turned the ball in from close range after 26 minutes.
The hosts pulled a goal back on 35, Cammy Russell’s deep free kick met by the head of Baily Dall, his effort enough to beat the onrushing Suman and half the Development Dons advantage.
Marc McNulty came close to levelling before the break, the forward able to evade a sea of red challenges and work his way into the box, some flying challenges from those in red enough to put him off, his attempt high.
The equaliser came not long after, another free kick after an Aaron Cummings foul wreaked havoc on the Dons box, and after a stramash in the rain it was Lusanda Ndlovu who managed to bundle over. 2-2 at the break.
Half-time: The Spartans 2 Aberdeen 2.
One change for Aberdeen at half-time, Oliver Green replacing Emmanuel Gymafi.
The clock hit the hour mark with both sides continuing to battle in tricky conditions, Mark Stow the first Spartans player to go in the referee’s book when he was pulled up for simulation.
Stow again was at the heart of the action not long later, his effort stinging the palms of Suman. The Aussie ‘keeper had kicked into life, making a flurry of excellent saves.
Unfortunately, Suman couldn’t keep the third out for much longer, after another good save, the ball reworked to Russell who managed to force over the line.
For the first time on the night, Spartans led.
Things looked to be unravelling for the Dons in the rain, Ndlovu winning a penalty just minutes after the home side went ahead. Suman dived the right way, but Russell made no mistake from 12 yards, a powerful penalty. 4-2.
With the game looking like it would peter out in nasty conditions, Spartans did manage to add a fifth at the death through Mark Stowe with virtually the last kick of the game.
Full-time, The Spartans 5 Aberdeen 2.
STATS
The Spartans: 1. Blair Carswell, 2. Kieran Watson (C), 6. Bailey Dall, 7. Jamie Dishington, 8. Murray Aiken, 9. Marc McNulty, 11. Cameron Russell, 12. Kenzi Nair, 17. Archie Wylie, 20. Lusanda Given Ndlovu, 33. Bradley Whyte
Substitutes: 21. Patrick Martin (GK), 3. Calan Innes, 4. Sean Welsh, 10. Ola Benson, 19. Ethan Drysdale, 28. Christopher Mill, 29. Mark Stowe
Aberdeen: 13. Nicholas Suman, 3. Dylan Ross, 4. Lewis Carrol, 8. Alfie Stewart (C) (Duncan 85′), 9. Joseph Teasdale, 10. Tristan Stephen (Chikomo 73′), 11. Zak To (Mclean 64′), 12. Aaron Cummings, 14. Jack Searle (Hulse 85′), 17. Noah McDonnell, 22. Emmanuel Gyamfi (Green 46′)
Substitutes: 20. Theo Simpson (GK), 2. Oliver Green, 7. Samuel McLean, 15. JJ Hulse, 16. Max Pocklington, 18. Heath Duncan, 19. Bradley Chikomo
Goals
Dall 35′ Ndlovu 44′ Russell 62′ 69 Stowe 90′
Searle 17′ Ross 26′
Booked
Cummings 43′
Stowe 59′
