St. Mirren 1 - 2 Aberdeen

Renfrew Juniors' New Western Park was the venue for in-form Aberdeen's Development League meeting with a St Mirren side who have dropped to the foot of the table after a run of three successive losses. In contrast, Paul Sheerin's team is playing some delightful football and is pushing hard for a League and Youth Cup double. After a ten game absence from first team duty with a knee injury, Joe Lewis returned to action while Lloyd Robertson was drafted in to replace Joe MacPherson who is on international duty with Peru's Under 20s in Lima. Bruce Anderson returned from a one game ban to take the place of Ethan Ross who, along with Archie Mair, is with the Scottish Under 17 squad in Greece.

The Dons were first to threaten when Connor McLennan sent David Dangana down the inside right channel but the striker's fierce shot flashed just wide. St Mirren responded positively and Joe Lewis saved well from Jamieson.
The home side took a shock lead on 14 minutes when a cross from the left was laid off perfectly by Jamieson for Connor O'Keefe to rifle the ball past Lewis from fifteen yards. The lead was short lived though as Aberdeen drew level with a picture goal. A quick throw out from Lewis found Chris Antoniazzi who played a delightful ball to Dangana who absolutely hammered the ball into the net leaving keeper Wilson helpless. It was a just reward for the hitman who was superb throughout.
A forcing run from McLennan spelt danger for the Buddies defence but McBrearty did well to nudge the ball behind for a fruitless corner. Around the half hour mark Saints had a good spell of pressure, MacPherson and O'Keefe both coming close. Lewis made a brave save at the feet of Jamieson as the half time whistle approached then Antoniazzi forced a fine stop as the interval was reached with the teams level at one apiece.

Half time St Mirren 1 Aberdeen 1

Sean Linden replaced McLennan at the interval and the sub almost had an instant impact, his dangerous cross starting some pin-ball in the area which eventually saw the ball hacked to safety by a relieved home defence. Ten minutes after the break a lovely ball from Ryan Harrington created an opening for Seb Ross but Wilson pulled off a fine stop. The Dons duo combined again four minutes later and this time Wilson had to admit defeat as Seb's header from Ryan's perfect cross made it 2-1 to the Dons. That's twelve goals for the team captain - the best return for anyone in either first or second team.
Saints' MacPherson was booked for a foul shortly after then Jamieson fired wildly wide after creating a good shooting position for himself. Lewis made a fine save from a powerful Miller shot as Saints refused to lie down. Leitch replaced Horne in the home ranks but it was Aberdeen who came closest to adding to their tally, Antoniazzi and Ross both forcing good saves from the impressive Wilson in the home goal.
A late Glover header was expertly dealt with by Lewis just before Harrington and McBrearty both picked up yellows for comments to the referee. Wells came on for Antoniazzi but hardly had time to break sweat before the match ended with Dons picking up another valuable three points in their quest for the league title.