Aberdeen 0 - 2 Motherwell

Christie made a bright start to the match carving out a half chance for Rooney who did his best to knock the ball on target but his effort hit the side netting. Moments later the midfielder burst forward himself before hitting a shot from the edge of the area which was comfortably saved. Up the other end Motherwell forced Lewis into action with a Grimshaw half volley forcing a diving save to the left. It was a very open start to the match with four decent efforts at goal inside the first five minutes.

The visitors started to get the upper hand with a couple of corners and Lewis was once again forced into a save low to his left from McHugh in the 10^th minute with The Dons struggling to get a foothold in the match.

After the 10 minute mark The Dons did begin to win the battle in the middle of the park with a number of successful challenges setting the men in red up for the attack. Unfortunately the final ball was lacking when Aberdeen did get into dangerous areas. In the 26^th minute Mackay-Steven lit up the left side taking on two Motherwell players in his own half before eventually winning a corner off Kipre. It was an opportunity to get the ball in the area but Motherwell defended well and the danger passed.

As the 30 minute mark approached it was clear that the blustery conditions were having an impact on the quality of play with lots of passes swinging away from their intended targets. The game had become very scrappy and was all about the physical battle, with most of the play in the air. The Dons had another opportunity to deliver from a corner when a clearance was sliced behind but the delivery was poor and cleared at the front post. After the opening ten minutes chances had been scarce with neither goalkeeper being called into action as the half approached it's end.

The first card of the match came from an aerial challenge when Bowman was deemed to have led with his elbow. Moments later Considine followed him into the book after handling the ball on the halfway line to prevent a Motherwell counter-attack. From the free-kick Motherwell opened the scoring in the 43^rd minute when Moult found enough space in the area to angle a looping header over Lewis and into the back of the net.

At half-time the manager shuffled the pack with May coming on for Tansey. From the outset May joined Rooney up front in a pair in what was clearly a very attacking move. The Dons also switched to three at the back with McKenna and Arnason either side of Considine. The changes did not quite have the desired impact as the visitors doubled their lead when Cadden charged down the right before finding Moult at the near post. The striker had plenty of work to do but produced an expert first time finish to knock the ball past Lewis and double his tally for the afternoon, his 14^th goal of the season. The Dons had it all to do to get anything out of the match with 40 minutes remaining. After the goal much of the play was in the Motherwell half but The Dons were unable to create any clear openings. A half chance did come in the 66^th minute when May latched onto a through ball. He angled the ball back into the area but there was no one there to meet it, the ball eventually made its way to Mackay-Steven but his effort was blocked.

With 20 minutes remaining The Dons made their second change of the match with Scott Wright replacing Gary Mackay-Steven. The youngster almost had an immediate impact when his cross was collected by May, the angle was tight for the front man but he did force a save from Carson at the near post. Wright once again managed to get into a crossing position after a one-two with Christie but Kipre was there to block the cross for a corner. From the set-piece The Dons were able to beat the first man but a foul was given for a challenge on the goalkeeper to take away the momentum from the attack.

The final throw of the dice was made with ten minutes remaining when Rooney was replaced by Stewart. There was a sense of urgency to Aberdeen's play but all just a bit too direct with Kipre mopping up most of the long balls that were fired into the Motherwell half.

Aside from May's half chance where he forced a save from Carson at the near post it had been a very disappointing half with few instances where The Dons put the Motherwell backline under pressure. It was an afternoon to forget for those in attendance at Pittodrie apart from the travelling away support who had watched their team earn a well-deserved three points.