Aberdeen 4 - 1 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen Under 18s got their league campaign back on track with a comprehensive victory over a strong Kilmarnock side on Tuesday afternoon.

Two late goals made a good victory a resounding one after the Young Dons went in 2-1 up at the interval. Alfie Bavidge grabbed himself a brace on his return to CAS action, with Cammy Wilson and Brendan Hamilton also chipping in.

Scott Anderson made four changes to his side that suffered defeat against Rangers last time out. With it being a midweek fixture loanees Hamilton and the two Alfie’s, Stewart and Bavidge were available and came into the XI, alongside Kai Watson, who also returned. Dropping out, Christovie Kondolo, Ellis Clark, Joseph Teasdale and Dylan Ross.

The Dons got off to an electric start and went ahead after just two minutes. Stewart played a fantastic downfield ball which Fraser Mackie latched onto and cut back for Wilson, who happily tapped in to give his side the lead, and make it four games in a row that the winger has found the net in. Aberdeen could and should have raced into a comfortable early lead with chances aplenty. Wilson found Bavidge with a cross, his header over the bar. Mackie forced an excellent save out of Armour, from the resulting corner Bavidge again went with his head, the free header off target.

Fletcher Boyd found himself through on goal after being on the end of Wilson’s through ball, but the forward was off balance and blazed well over from what looked like a good position inside the box.

After 25 minutes the Dons were punished for their missed chances when the visitors hit Aberdeen on the counter through Cooper, who found Craik at the back post – The Killie number nine steadied himself and applied the finish capable of beating Rodrigo Vitols to level the contest.

Kilmarnock came close to sneaking their way in front but Vitols produced an excellent reflex save to deny Cooper. The Killie number ten looked lively, as did Craik, the big powerful centre forward was again causing problems for the Dons defence. After missing an abundance of quality chances, it would ironically be a scrappy moment of fortune that put Aberdeen back in front. Mackie was again provider, his low cross bounced off the heel of a Kilmarnock defender before falling at the feet of Bavidge, who without knowing much about it, shinned his side back into the lead with five minutes of the half to play.

Half-time: Aberdeen 2-1 Kilmarnock.

A swing and a miss from Armour at the start of the second 45 as he came racing out to clear his lines allowed Bavidge to race towards goal as he looked for his second of the contest, but it was well recovered by his centre half. The game was following a similar pattern to that of the first half: Aberdeen had chances aplenty, but inefficiency in front of goal ensured it remained a tight contest.

Up the other end Marchant was growing into the game for Kilmarnock, he should have done better from point blank range, where he fired straight at a grateful Vitols. The winger broke into the box later on but was denied by a great challenge from Hamilton coming across. As the chanced continued to mount Boyd was on the end of a great attacking move, his effort left Armour rooted to the spot, unfortunately his fizzing effort came off the post and fell behind.

With just over ten to play, the Dons finally got the third goal they were looking for. From inside the box on the angle Hamilton received the ball and powered an effort high into the roof of the net. It was no less than Aberdeen deserved for their attacking efforts, 3-1. The only Aberdeen change came on the 85th minute with Ellis Clark coming on to shore up the midfield, replacing Wilson.

There was time left for one more goal to put the icing on the cake of what was in the end a fantastic victory, and Bavidge did eventually get his second goal of the afternoon. The forward threw himself at Mackie’s dangerous ball across the goalmouth and managed to bundle the ball into the back of the net to wrap up the three points.

Bavidge will have been disappointed not to grab his hat-trick with the last action of the match, again Mackie played in the on-loan Kelty Hearts man but much to his frustration his shot was dragged wide of the goal.