Motherwell 0 Aberdeen U18s 0 CAS Elite U18 League Dalziel Sports Grounds Tuesday 25 February
The Young Dons drew their first game of the season ob Tuesday afternoon, playing out a 0-0 draw with Motherwell in the Club Academy Scotland U18 Elite League.
Scott Anderson made two changes to his side’s defeat in Lennoxtown. Lewis Carrol stepped in for Victor Enem and Fraser Mackie in place of Fletcher Boyd.
A last-minute location change saw this one kick off at the Dalziel Sports Ground.
Report
The Dons pushed hard in the opening minutes pressing vigorously. Joseph Teasdale would test the touch of Jack McConnell as he chased whilst the keeper looked for options. The forward would catch the keeper off guard forcing a ricochet and corner.
Noah McDonnell would have the first real chance of the game, as the ball dropped to him just beyond the penalty spot. However, the defender did not have time to set himself before the shot and blazed over.
Ellis Clark would be next to fire over as minutes later the midfielder’s late run into the box was found after some Fraser Mackie trickery.
Motherwell did find some joy down their right-hand side as the duo of Williamson and Lawson showed real intent in their attacking with plenty of overlapping and underlapping situations resulting in teasing crosses for the home side.
The Steelers thought they had opened the scoring after Lawson slotted past Vitols in the 28th minute but Zander Mcallister’s otherwise brilliant touch turn was let down by his late pass which deemed Lawson offside.
As the minutes passed, the Dons’ press became even more aggressive, but Motherwell stood firm to their beliefs and continued to pass out from the back, finding solutions for most situations.
Successive Dylan Ross corners would close out an exciting first period with little between the sides.
Half Time: Motherwell 0-0 Aberdeen
Zack Tomany would continue to battle well with the Don’s defence, showing signs of real strength and composure throughout the opening minutes of the second half.
An early substitution from Aberdeen saw Bradley Chikomo come on for Jack Searle in hope of some attacking opportunities.
Motherwell captain Mikey Booth would come close to opening the scoring as he picked up a loose ball in his half and drove down the right wing and whipped in a cross come shot which would kiss the crossbar on its way over.
Lawson would be gifted the chance of the game in the 70th minute after a short back pass unleashed the forward one one-on-one with an on-rushing Vitols. The number 20 could only poke wide in what would be his final action of the game.
A late Motherwell counterattack would find Weir running through on goal in a dangerous position. Lewis Carrol recognised this and took one for his side and tripped his man earning himself a booking for his doings.
The resulting free kick was a powerful curling effort from captain Mikey Booth, forcing a save out of Vitols.
It looked like the Dons were going to snatch the win right at the end after the ball bobbled up to Ellis Clark in the 88th minute who hit a thunderous volley heading for the top corner not for a superb save from McConnell to keep the score level.
Full Time: Motherwell 0-0 Aberdeen
STATS:
Aberdeen:
Vitols, Ross, Carrol, Henderson, Clark, Masson, Mackie, Teasdale, Green, Searle (Chikomo 53’), McDonnell
Subs: Douglas, Chikomo, Cummings
Motherwell:
McConnell, Williamson, Arnott, Nelson, Flatman, Forest, Mcallister (McColm 66’), Booth, Tomany, Marshall (Weir 80’), Lawson (Samuel 73’)
Subs: Tearney, Watson, McColm, Clark, Hunter, Weir, Samuel
Booked: Booth 45’ Carrol 85’ Mackie 92’
