Aberdeen 2 - 1 Airdrieonians

A second half comeback saw the Dons ensure that their Premier Sports Cup fate remains in their own hands as they head into the final group game on Saturday, goals from Graeme Shinnie and Leighton Clarkson finally putting down a spirited Airdrie side.

There were three changes for Aberdeen as Jimmy Thelin reverted to the side that beat Queen of the South in the opening fixture of the group. Back came Dimitar Mitov, Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Slobodan Rubezic, with Ross Doohan and Vicente Besuijen starting from the bench and Angus MacDonald missing out with injury.

After their 4-3 win at Dumbarton, there were seven changes for Airdrieonians with Kieran Wright, Craig Watson, Cameron Bruce, Lewis McGrattan, Terrell Agyemang and Chris Mochrie all dropping to the bench. Replacing them were Murray Johnson, Rhys McCabe, Ben Wilson, Lewis McGregor, Adam Frizzell, Murray Aiken and Rhys Armstrong.

The visitors made a bright start and it took some sharp work from Gavin Molloy to deny McGregor as they made a quick break in behind after 11 minutes. Aidan Wilson was equally decisive with an interception two minutes later as Jack MacKenzie’s long ball forward was nodded into Ester Sokler’s path by Jamie McGrath.

Lovely close control from McGrath, twisting and turning into space on the quarter hour enabled him to get a shot away from close range, Johnson doing well to save with his legs.

Aberdeen were finding their feet now and a quick interchange between McGrath and Leighton Clarkson ended with a dangerous looking shot from the former Liverpool man being headed over by Aidan Wilson. Shayden Morris then had a shot from 20 yards deflected over the bar after 18 minutes.

MacKenzie should have had the Dons ahead on the half hour. Rubezic played it forward, Graeme Shinnie knocking it first time into the run of MacKenzie at inside-left. Advancing into the box, Johnson again made a good save to deny him.

Mitov had to be quickly off his line to clear as Ben Wilson chased a ball forward on 39 minutes, but the Airdrie man wasn’t to be denied seconds later as he gave his side the lead. MacDonald hooked in a cross from the by-line that reached Hancock at the back post. His shot was blocked but the ball fell nicely for Wilson and he steered his effort into the bottom corner from 10 yards out.

Heltne Nilsen was booked for a late tackle on Armstrong in the 42nd minute as Aberdeen looked to get themselves back into the game. Sokler was a whisker away from the equaliser moments later. Clarkson’s pass set him away from the defender but steadying himself on the edge of the box, he tried to curl the ball around Johnson and into the bottom corner, but it drifted wide of the post, a golden chance spurned.

HALF-TIME: ABERDEEN 0 AIRDRIEONIANS 1

Bojan Miovski made his first appearance of the season at the break in place of Morris, while Airdrie brought on McGrattan for McGregor.

League Cup goal machine Graeme Shinnie had his side back on terms on 49 minutes. Cutting inside from the left side of the box, he tried to flash a shot across the face of the goal, but it took a deflection and snuggled into the space just inside the near post.

Miovski and Sokler combined nicely two minutes later, Miovski’s reverse pass getting Sokler on the run, but he couldn’t quite get away from the covering defender as the Dons turned the wick right up at the start of the second half.

Aberdeen were in front on 59 thanks to a swift counter-attack. Clarkson won the ball 35 yards out and fed Miovski in the centre circle. He helped it on to Shinnie who drove forward and, as he reached the penalty area, Clarkson, who had started the move, was there to take the ball off him and finish it with the minimum of fuss, placing a low shot into the net.

Airdrie weren’t done yet, McGrattan and McCabe both having a crack at goal in a penalty area stramash, but brave defending snuffed the danger out. Three minutes later Shinnie was booked for a foul. Shinnie drove over the bar from 25 yards two minutes later as he came onto a weak Johnson punch.

A ring rusty Miovski missed out on a goal on 78, Shinnie and McGrath producing an opening with some lovely one touch football, but the number nine was beaten to the punch by Aidan Wilson. Agyemang was on for Aiken after 79 minutes as Airdrie looked for a leveller.

Hancock cut inside to collect a pass from McGrattan as Airdrie poured forward, but Mitov collected his low drive at the near post with some comfort as we headed in to the last eight minutes. Frizzell and Armstrong then made way for Reid and Mochrie.

Clarkson and Miovski combined nicely on 86 to release Shinnie, the skipper hitting a rasping drive that was always rising over the bar from 25 yards out. Peter Ambrose came on for Sokler a minute later.

Amid a late Airdrie onslaught Molloy was booked in the 91st minute, but the Dons saw the game out to make it three wins from three.

3 minutes added at end 1st half.
2 minutes added at end second half.