Aberdeen 3 - 1 Morton

The Aberdeen U18s ended 2018 with a comfortable victory over Greenock Morton at Balmoral. A first half double from Kieran Shanks and strike from Ethan Ross ensured back to back wins before a consolation from the visitors in injury time.

After their win up at Inverness last Friday Scott Anderson and Barry Robson lined up with Mair in goals, Strachan and McLaughlin occupying the full back positions with the usual Power and Dalling in the heart of the defence. Lloyd Robertson and Connor Barron were in the middle of the park with Ethan Ross and Lewis Duncan supporting Shanks in attack with Alexander in the number ten position.

The Dons started on the front foot and could have found themselves in front early on through captain Ethan Ross after he went one on one only to be denied at the crucial moment. Kyle Dalling then had a free header miss the target as the hosts. Mair was called upon on a couple of occasions but dealt with the Morton threat. Then Aberdeen got the breakthrough thanks to a good run from Alexander. He sent it through to Kieran Shanks, who from 25 yards found the top corner to break the deadlock.

It was two shortly after Shanks picked the ball up from the edge of the box before seeing his shot bounce off the post and in and The Dons were in control.

The Dons were denied a stonewall penalty after Tyler Alexander was flatted in the box, but the referee wasn't interested in any protests.

Before the break they had a third. The ever persistent Lewis Duncan broke into the box after good play down the right and he cut back into the box. After a ricochet off a defender the ball broke to Ethan Ross who reacted first to stab home.

The second half was a similar affair to the first with the hosts dominating the ball. There were a number of half chances from Ross, but the Morton defence stood firm to deny the scoreline getting out of hand.

There was one more goal to be scored and it came as a consolation to the visitors. Archie Mair, who had an excellent game in goals was charged down by Duffy and the ball broke to the Morton winger on the right. He took his time to produce a very good finish from 25 yards into the empty net. The only blip was the late goal, but no harm done and the young lads can enjoy their break after a largely successful first half of the season.

After the break they have the small matter of a Youth Cup Quarter-Final against Kilmarnock to contend with as well as fighting at the top end of the league.

Post-match Scott Anderson spoke with the AFC Media team to reflect on the victory.

"We're really pleased to continue in the same vain as the previous two games. We passed the ball really well, got into some good areas and once we got the two quality strikes from Kieran we felt pretty comfortable. We're pleased with the last few performances and the boys will have a good break before coming back with some good opportunities with the Quarter-Final cup game to contend with."