Dundee United 3 - 2 Aberdeen

The Young Dons looked to continue their unbeaten away record when they travelled to face Dundee United this evening. As both clubs use Glebe Park in Brechin for Development League games, the Pittodrie second string were on familiar ground even though on this occasion they had to use the away team's facilities.
Paul Sheerin's starting eleven saw Neil Alexander in goal behind Robertson, Omolokun, Roscoe and Wells. Craig Storie joined Thomas and Antoniazzi in midfield with Miles Storey, Nuttall and Wright in attack.

United took the lead on 4 minutes when a long ball from defence found Coote racing clear down the left before cutting inside and firing a fine shot beyond the despairing dive of Alexander. It was fast and furious with both sides moving the ball quickly and looking dangerous as they went forward. Antoniazzi played a great ball trough for Storey but the striker's effort was well blocked by Dailly.
In the 19th minute slack play in midfield gave United the ball and when it was transferred to Coote the winger show good composure as he slipped the ball past Alexander to make it 2-0 for the Terrors. Joe Nuttall made a powerful run into the box but his attempted cutback was too close to Long who saved at the second attempt. Seconds later the keeper showed bravery as he saved well at the feet of Scott Wright. Coote was proving to be a real problem for the Dons defence and he linked up well with Aspere who tested Alexander with a powerful left foot shot.
The Dons suffered a body blow when Scott Wright limped off after 28 minutes, Aaron Norris taking the place of the winger. A wild challenge by United's trialist on Storey led to a Dons free kick on the edge of the box but Storie's powerfully struck free kick flew just wide of Long's right hand post. Omolokun got up well to meet a corner from Thomas but he couldn't direct his header on target. Hornby was booked on 41 minutes for a challenge on Craig Storie and Toby Wells forced a decent save from Long from the resulting free kick. The Dons were pushing hard to get on the scoresheet but United were solid at the back and keeping chances to a minimum. Two nil to United perhaps flattered the Tannadice side but they had been clinical in front of goal in the first half.

Aberdeen were first to threaten in the second half with Miles Storey's cross finding Joe Nuttall but Long was quickly out to close down the striker as he attempted to turn in the six yard box. Murrell forced a solid save from Alexander as United broke forward before neat play from Aspere created havoc in the Dons box but an offside flag halted the attack. The Tannadice youngsters were enjoying a good spell and Omolokun had to show bravery as he threw himself in front of a fierce shot from Coote. Nuttall's snapshot from 25 yards produced a sprawling save from Long in 57 minutes then the keeper saved well from a close range Miles Storey strike. The Dons were starting to put United under pressure without creating anything really clear-cut in front of goal.
A close thing in the 63rd minute as Nuttall got on to the end of an excellent lofted through ball from Antoniazzi to go round the keeper but his angled shot was cleared off the line by the retreating Long. A real chance for the Dons and a huge let off for Dave Bowman's side. Joe MacPherson took the place of Sam Robertson in 69 minutes - a straight swap at full back. Dylan Thomas tried his luck with a 25 yard free kick but it sailed harmlessly over.
United took off strikers Murrell and Garden on 73 minutes, McMeekin and Chalmers taking their places. Aberdeen finally got on the scoresheet in 74 minutes with Miles Storey scoring from 10 yards after a fine pass from Thomas. Bruce Anderson entered the fray in 76 minutes, Antoniazzi the man to come off while United's trialist was replaced by Ritchie.
McMeekin forced a great save from Alexander in 83 minutes as gaps started to appear in the Dons defence as they chased an equaliser. The United subs had given the Tannadice attack some fresh energy but Aberdeen were enjoying the bulk of possession. Their pressure paid off in the 89th minute when Storey got on to end of a MacPherson header into the box to fire past Long. Parity only lasted thirty seconds though as Coote raced on to a through ball to slam the ball past Alexander to complete his hat-trick and win the game for United. A very entertaining game but the Dons will rue missing chances when they were on top.