Match: Deveronvale 1-3 Aberdeen B Competition: Aberdeenshire Shield (Semi-Final) Venue: Princess Royal Park Date: Wednesday 17th December. Kick-off, 8pm
Goals from Kenan Bilalovic (2) and Peter Ambrose ensured the young Dons stayed on track for an Aberdeenshire Cup and Shield double this season as they saw off a determined Deveronvale side in Banff. A final appearance against Fraserburgh now stands between the talented Pittodrie fledglings and a first ever Shield success.
Stuart Duff’s side showed a number of changes to the eleven which started last week’s win against Banks O’Dee. With Rodrigo Vitols in Prague with the first team squad there was a recall in goal for Theo Simpson, while Zak To and Aaron Cummings took over from Alfie Stewart and Joseph Teasdale.
The Dons grabbed the lead after only 28 seconds, Cooper Masson firing a great crossfield ball to Mitchel Frame whose delivery was headed down for Kenan Bilalovic to fire past a helpless keeper.
Theo Simpson was forced to make a great save from Yunus after the striker headed a Stewart free kick powerfully goalward. To and Ambrose both came close as Aberdeen dominated possession but Vale always posed a threat and Simpson again saved well after a rampaging run from Wood.
Ambrose had a goal disallowed and then at the other end Mitchell fired over from a good position but the Dons went to the turn a goal to the good.
Half time – Deveronvale 0 Aberdeen B 1
Mitchell again came close for the Banff side before Bilalovic skied a shot over the top after the keeper had saved well from Ambrose.
On 74 minutes sub Bradley Chikomo looked to have sealed the deal for Aberdeen but his shot crashed off the inside of the post and rebounded to safety. Vale took advantage of the let-off and the tireless Alberts chased a lost cause to square the ball for Park to bundle in an equaliser which the home team richly deserved.
Their joy only lasted five minutes though as Bilalovic slalomed his way forward from the halfway line before firing a low twenty yard shot past the keeper’s right hand.
As the home side piled forward in search of parity, Heath Duncan played Ambrose in on goal and the big striker netted with aplomb to clinch the victory.
Full time – Deveronvale 1 Aberdeen B 3
Deveronvale – Ethan Hopkinson, Jaydon Goldie (C), Marcus Binnie, Jaydan Bradford, Murray Esson (Cameron Angus 86), Keane Matheson (Alexander Dlugosz 86), Jack Mitchell, Demilade Yunus (Stewart Gray 65), Fergus Alberts, Garry Wood (Ryan Park 41), Max Stewart (Michael Watson 65).
Unused substitutes – Keith Robertshaw (GK), Lucas Smith, Austin Sparkes, Grant Moroney.
Aberdeen B – Theo Simpson, Dylan Ross, Lewis Carrol (C), Cooper Masson, Jack Searle, Aaron Cummings (Bradley Chikomo 64), Zak To (Sam McLean 78), Kenan Bilalovic (Heath Duncan 88), Mitchel Frame (Noah McDonnell 88), Kjartan Mar Kjartansson, Peter Ambrose.
Unused substitutes – Conner Douglas (GK), Jamie Mercer.
Goals:
Deveronvale – Park 79.
Aberdeen XI – Bilalovic 1, 84 Ambrose 90+3.
Referee – Scott Donohoe.
Reaction from Stuart Duff:
“Mixed emotions after it actually. I expect a bit better from our players, that’s not taking anything away from Deveronvale and how they approached the game and how they implemented their game plan. As coaches we’re looking to develop players to go into the first team and on that showing I think they might be slightly disappointed.
“At the same time, it’s a Semi-final, its cup football, that’s the type of game they wouldn’t get at under 19 CAS football. On one hand really happy for the squad to get to another final and they can compete for some silverware, on the other it gives us loads that we can go away and work on both on and off the park; psychological, tactical, technical. A very good excercise as these games have been, long may it continue. Really chuffed for the group as a whole to dig it out and get a couple more goals towards the end to make it more easier. Happy overall but wanting more quality.”
