Dundee 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Young Dean Campbell was given the honour of leading the Dons for this game against an experienced looking Dens Park outfit with Henrik Ojamaa, Kostadin Gadzhalov and Danny Williams in their ranks.

match report |

Both sides started brightly without creating any chances in front of goal but the running power of Connor
McLennan caused some problems for the Dundee rearguard. A great through ball from Scott Wright on 7 minutes set the big striker free but he lifted his shot pat the post ? a great opportunity spurned.

Dundee threatened briefly when former Inverness flying machine Danny Williams broke into the box but Scott McKenna mopped up expertly. On 10 minutes the Dons threatened again when Sam Robertson burst down the right and fired in a cross which found Dean Campbell but the skipper?s left foot shot from the edge of the area was well held by Mitchell.

A lovely passing move saw Chris Antoniazzi link well with Bruce Anderson to create a shooting chance for Wright but the winger was off target. Antoniazzi nodded wide shortly after as the Dons started to apply some concerted pressure on the Dundee goal. Although goal-less it had been an entertaining opening quarter of an hour.

As the half reached its midpoint a superb burst from deep in his own half from Scott Wright saw him cut the ball back for Antoniazzi to shoot from the edge of the box but again it was a comfortable save for the Dundee keeper.
The Dons won a penalty in the 25th minute when Thomson hauled McLennan down as he headed for goal and Scott Wright made his usual immaculate job of the spot kick sending Mitchell the wrong way. A deserved lead for Aberdeen who had been far more threatening than Dundee.

Another fine move saw Campbell play Antoniazzi in but the keeper made a fine block before the Dons youngster fired the rebound just over.

Dundee were barely seen as an attacking force but Higgins had a rare effort on goal on 33 minutes but his shot lacked accuracy. However it served as a reminder that a single goal lead is a precarious advantage.

Scott McKenna made a rare foray forward just before the break but his long-range effort was never going to test the keeper. A minute before the break the Dons deservedly went two up when Scott Wright rifled an angled drive past Mitchell after some good work from the bustling McLennan created the opening. That goal took Scott?s tally for the Development League side to ten for the season ? the team?s top scorer.

McKenna headed wide from a fine Toby Wells free kick as the half time whistle sounded, Aberdeen good value for
the interval lead.

Half time Dundee 0 Aberdeen 2

Aberdeen made a change at the interval bringing David Dangana on for McLennan. The sub had an early shooting chance after some sloppy defending from Dundee but Mitchell saved well.

Dundee were seeing a bit more of the ball in the early stages of the second half but the Dons defence looked solid and Craddock was enjoying a quiet evening in the visitors? goal. Ojamaa had a rare glimpse of goal just before the hour mark but the Estonian scuffed his ten yard shot and Craddock saved comfortably.

Dundee brought on Berry for Williams and Cameron for Ojamaa as they tried to find a route back into the game.
A fine run from midfield from Antoniazzi sent Dangana racing away down the left but fine defending from Dundee skipper Dryden snuffed out the danger. Wright was next to threaten but h couldn?t find a red shirt with his cutback after a thrilling run into the box.

Higgins fired in a 35 yard free kick but Craddock was equal to it as the Dark Blues desperately tried to find a breakthrough. Smith thought he was in on goal after Higgins played him through but he had just mistimed his run and an offside flag brought the attack to a premature end.

The Dee made their final change on 73 minutes bringing on Hornyik for Higgins who had probably been their best player. Although not as prominent as an attacking force in the second half, the Dons were still very much in control of this game.

Sam Roscoe limped off after taking a knock to be replaced by Ethan Ross in the 78th minute. Joe MacPherson slotted into central defence allowing Ethan to take up a midfield berth. Shortly after David Dangana required treatment after clashing with the Dundee keeper as they challenged for a loose ball but the striker was able to resume.

Aberdeen penned Dundee into their own half for a prolonged spell as they chased a third goal but the Dark Blues defence stood strong to repel the Dons efforts. David Dangana limped off with two minutes left as Jack Mackenzie came on, the striker clearly still feeling the effects of his earlier knock.

Ethan Ross almost set up a third goal for the Dons in the final minute but Dryden cleared from almost under his own bar. That was to prove to be the last chance of the game as the curtain came down on the young Dons? season with them running out comfortable winners.

The only slight disappointment was that they didn?t score the goals their play deserved but a solid display at the back saw them end the season with a clean sheet.