Aberdeen 7 - 2 Motherwell

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match report

Derek McInnes handed a first time debut to Ryan Christie who replaced the suspended Graeme Shinnie. Mark Reynolds and Niall McGinn made the starting 11 after picking up knocks in the weekend victory over Ross County.

Aberdeen wasted no time in getting themselves in front with less than two minutes on the clock. Niall McGinn chipped the ball in to the back post. Shay Logan got up well to head the ball down to Rooney who flicked the ball across goal. Jonny Hayes was rushing in from the left wing and lashed a beautifully controlled first time shot across the keeper low into the net. A dream start for the Dons.

That made life easier for Aberdeen who were happy to control the tempo of the game and threatened again after 12 minutes when Adam Rooney attempted a bicycle kick from inside the box. Adam's had a few acrobatic efforts in recent weeks, this one was just off target.

The pressure continued moments later when Ryan Christie tested Samson from outside the box. His shot fizzed wide of the post, but Christie was looking very comfortable in his first start in a red jersey and linking up the play nicely.

The Dons movement and pace was creating a lot of space and they were enjoying some nice build up play. Kenny McLean whipped a decent ball into the box which fell back to Jonny Hayes. He had a run at goal. The ball wouldn't sit for him, and his pass to Christie allowed a shot from outside the box which flew just over the bar.
Hayes continued to terrorise the Motherwell defence, latching onto Logan's ball up the line. He twisted and turned inside the area, and curled a shot aimed for the tip corner which drifted just wide of the target.

Aberdeen doubled their lead after half an hour when McGinn's corner was met by the head of Andrew Considine at the back post, and Andy celebrated his new deal with a goal. The centre half has always been threat from set pieces, but it was the quality of the delivery from Niall which made the goal.

And moments later, it was three.

A mix up in the Motherwell defence allowed Jonny Hayes to nip in at the goal line and square it for Adam Rooney who had the goal gaping in front of him. Samson was slightly unlucky as he almost got a hand to it, but Rooney had enough power in the shot to get it over the line. It was unselfish play by Hayes who could have scored himself. Both Hammell and Lasley missed opportunities to clear the danger.

With half time approaching, Aberdeen rounded off a wonderful first half display with a goal of the highest quality. Niall McGinn took a quick corner from the left, with Considine laying it off for Ryan Christie. He clipped the ball with the outside of his boot into top right corner of the net. His second goal at Pittodrie as a Don, and he won't score many better. A goal of the season contender. Ryan deserved a goal as he was outstanding during the first 45.

With the game out of reach, the Dons were taking any chance to shoot that they could. Ryan Jack and Adam Rooney both had the ball in the Merkland end after hitting shots over the bar. Clearly confidence was flowing through the team and the fans were loving every second.

Just before the interval it should have been five after Christie teed up Ryan Jack but he lifted his effort over the bar.
As Alan Muir blew his whistle for half time, the Dons fittingly walked off to a standing ovation. It had been a dominant, clinical and confident display from Aberdeen with more goals looking inevitable in the second half.

HT Aberdeen 4-0 Motherwell

Aberdeen got off to a positive start in the second half. Kenny McLean hit a shot from outside the box. His effort stung the palms of Samson who tipped it wide.

The Dons looked like they were really enjoying their football and were knocking it with confidence. Some of Kenny McLean's passing was a joy to watch.

Just after the hour mark Shay Logan was brought down in the box as he tried to run onto a loose ball and Aberdeen had a penalty. This had come after a really good cross from Christie. Adam Rooney stepped up and made no mistake from the spot kick, tucking away his second of the match, sending Samson the wrong way.

The hammering continued when Niall McGinn floated another beautifully delivered corner into the box. Nobody in a white shirt came for it, and there was Adam Rooney standing a few yards out to wrap up his hat-trick. I don't think even he could believe how easy the goal had came about. It was the striker's last action of the night and the noise inside Pittodrie was deafening as he walked off the pitch to be replaced by Jayden Stockley. Niall McGinn was next to come off and he was replaced by Peter Pawlett. Niall once again showing his quality from dead balls, setting up two of the goals.

The visitors pulled one back after 72 minutes when Ryan Bowman headed the ball into the net from a free kick. Joe Lewis came off his line but couldn't quite connect with the ball.

Not long after that the Dons were on the attack again, with Jayden Stockley crossing the ball from wide on the left. Kenny McLean was really unlucky not to grab a goal when he got a great connection on the half volley but Samson made a very good save. The keeper actually made a number of good stops tonight to keep the score down.

Motherwell grabbed a second goal when Stephen Pearson got in at the back post from a corner to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

Before they even had a chance to catch their breath the Dons were back scoring again when Peter Pawlett picked up the ball after Jonny Hayes made a great run and timed his pass perfectly. Pawlett put the ball through Samson's legs to keep up the positivity at Pittodrie.

It had been one of the most incredible games at the old stadium in a long time, and Ash Taylor almost brought the house down when he had a go from 40 yards. To be fair to Ash it was a wonderful strike and was destined for the top corner had it not been for a great leap by Samson.

The referee then blew his whistle for full time on the 90th minute, not playing any added time despite there being five substitutes, nine goals and he also sent Mark McGhee to the stands.

A wonderful night of attacking football and entertainment from the Dons. They have been threatening a scoreline like this for a little while and unfortunately for Motherwell they were on the receiving end tonight.

FT: Aberdeen 7-2 Motherwell