CAS Academy Scotland U18 League
11th April 2023
Dundee United 3 Aberdeen 2
Gussie Park
Aberdeen Under 18s fell to a disappointing defeat in Dundee on Tuesday afternoon after a resurgent second half comeback from Dundee United saw the Tayside hosts pick up all three points.
Liam Harvey and Timi Fatona came into the starting XI for the trip to a bright and breezy Gussie Park, Finlay Murray dropped back to the bench and Victor Enem was away with coach Stuart Duff and the Under 16s to take part in the Elite Neon Cup in Athens. Head coach Scott Anderson was assisted in the dugout by the help of Neil Simpson.
The Young Dons had already notched up a 7-3 win in Dundee back in September and had more recently overcame The Terrors 3-1 back at Cormack Park last month.
It wasn’t until the ten-minute mark before Aberdeen had their first chance of the encounter, Alfie Stewart played a searching ball through the middle of the park which was collected by Alfie Bavidge, his effort an audacious one from a player oozing with confidence off the back off an impressive cameo appearance for the first team at the weekend, dinking the ball over the helpless McCabe in goal, unfortunately his attempt came back off the crossbar. Liam Harvey tried to bundle home the rebound, but he couldn’t get his feet right and the score remained level.
McCabe was in trouble again just minutes later when Bavidge won a freekick on the halfway line, drawing a foul after some strong hold up play. His quick thinking to take the dead ball immediately unleashed Harvey, who was clattered just outside the box by the onrushing keeper. McCabe got off with a booking for his troubles, but there was to be more punishment instore: Brendan Hamilton stepped up to take the free kick, his shot went through the United wall and left McCabe unprepared, he could only watch the Northern Irishman open the scoring. 0-1 Aberdeen.
Bryan Mwangi tested the alertness of Blessing Oluyemi in the Aberdeen goal with one of the few United efforts of the first half, but Oluyemi saved comfortably.
Bavidge had two more chances to get on the score sheet around the half hour mark, a back post header cannoned off the bar, before the Young Dons flexed their counter attacking muscles after Hamilton disposed Mwangi and gave the ball to Adam Emslie, who set Bavidge racing up the park in the blink of an eye, however he couldn’t direct his shot on target.
With five minutes in the half remaining, United were level. Mwangi swung a deep ball into the heart of the Aberdeen which received the deftest of touches from Aaron Donald, enough to wrong foot Oluyemi.
Aberdeen had the perfect response to the equaliser, regaining the lead just minutes later. Bavidge finally got his goal, chasing a long place through the middle of the park and peeling off the last defender, before calmly prodding under the keeper.
There was no more action in the half and Aberdeen went in at the break 2-1 up.
Half time. Dundee United 1 Aberdeen 2.
Unfortunately for Aberdeen the second half was to be one to forget.
United to their credit came back out hungry and looked well on top in the opening exchanges of the 45, but they had to wait to get back in the game.
Just after the hour mark Bavidge was withdrawn, Lewis Pirie came on in his place up top.
The United pressure was relentless and both Ben Christie and Adam Carnwath passed up great chances as they continued to ask questions of an Aberdeen defence that for the time being was hanging in there.
With just under 20 minutes to go United finally got their equaliser through Stuart Heenan. It was an impressive finish from the edge of the box, curling into the corner leaving Oluyemi with no chance.
Aberdeen responded by introducing the energy of Cammy Wilson to the game for the closing period, Harvey was removed from the action.
With what was a rare second half chance for Aberdeen Pirie had a shot comfortably saved on the break, the resulting corner cleared.
The worst was yet to come for Aberdeen and with seven minutes remaining Kai Watson was adjudged to have been late with a challenge inside the box, and the hosts had a penalty. It was Heenan who stepped up and doubled his goal tally for the day, and for the first time in the game Dundee United had the lead.
Dylan Lobban had a shot saved in the closing minutes as the Young Dons threw everything forward in hope of an equaliser, and even despite a late red card for Christie after kicking out at Watson, the three points were to remain in Dundee.
With the games coming thick and fast the Young Dons have a chance to put things right within the week, next up a trip to Oriam to take on Heart of Midlothian on Friday afternoon, kick off 4PM.
Full time. Dundee United 3 Aberdeen 2.
STATS
Dundee United: McCabe, Mudie, Bertie, Constable, Donald, Borland, Mwangi, Moore, Christie, Trotter, Heenan
Subs: Domeracki, Haldane, Carnwath, Simpson, Stirton, Cameron
Aberdeen: Oluyemi, Watson, Fatona, Hamilton, Mckenzie, Marshall, Emslie, Lobban (c), Harvey (Wilson 73), Bavidge (Pirie 62), Stewart
Subs not used: Murray, Kondolo, Smillie
Goals: Hamilton 18 Bavidge 45
Booked: Hamilton 47, Fatona 82
