Aberdeen Under 18’s final pre-season fixture before the start of their Club Academy Scotland Under 18 Elite League title defence saw them run out victors with a very good 2-1 win over Highland League side Keith at Kynoch Park on Friday night.
First half goals from Timothy Akindileni and Fraser Mackie ensured the visitors had a healthy lead at the interval, before Liam Duncan reduced the deficit at the end for Keith near the close of play to wind out a largely uneventful second period.
Report
It was a new look Aberdeen Under 18 side with the supporting cast of last seasons title triumph promoted to lead roles, which included spots in the starting XI for the likes of Zak To and Cooper Masson. Lewis Carrol captained the side in Moray.
The Young Dons came out the traps sharp, testament to the hard yards that had been put it in already during preseason, and they were rewarded with the opening goal after just three minutes.
Joseph Teasdale done well to force a corner after his cross was turned behind, Dylan Ross’s delivery to the back-post was on the money and Akindileni rose highest to head home and give his side an early advantage.
Aberdeen looked sharp, particularly from the wide areas with Teasdale and his pace a constant threat to the Keith back line. On the other side Jack Searle also liked lively, winning his side a corner, this time no subsequent goal.
Keith did well to stay in the contest with the Young Dons dominating the ball and really dictating the action. The Maroons number nine Matthew Tough was forced to cut an isolated figure at the top end of the park.
It really should have been two-nil to Aberdeen after Fraser Mackie was on the receiving end of Teasdale’s unselfish cut back but with the goal gaping Mackie’s effort came back off the bar.
In what was the only chance for Keith in the first 45 Ormsby forced an excellent diving save out of Rodrigo Vitols from the edge of the area with the Latvian at full stretch.
Thankfully for Fraser that feeling of frustration didn’t hang around for long and the Dons centre forward found the net with a costumery well-placed finish under Reid after he was played through on goal by Teasdale. Half an hour gone, Aberdeen two goals to the good in Moray.
There was almost a third Aberdeen goal before the half was out after Teasdale was sent hurtling towards goal, but Reid was equal to it and quick to smother the feet of the Dons attacker before he had a chance take the ball around him and tap into an empty net.
HT. Keith 0 Aberdeen 2
The second half saw chances come and go at a much less frequent nature than its predecessor. Killoh had a free kick from a dangerous position saved by Vitols, from the rebound Ormsby could only see his effort blocked.
On the hour mark the first Aberdeen change were called, Tristan Stephen replacing Victor Enem, as the full-back continued his journey to full fitness after missing a large portion of last season.
A neat one two involving Masson and Stephen allowed Masson to jink towards the six-yard box, but the midfielder could only poke his effort from close range wide of the target.
Oliver Green and Joel Wiseman were both introduced on thee 80 minute mark, Mackie and Searle making way.
Wiseman was next to make a positive impact off the bench, his cross not held by the recently introduced Keith substitute goalkeeper, the ball falling to Teasdale who was left to awkwardly push the ball over the bar on the half volley.
With less than five minutes on the clock Keith did manage to grab a goal through Liam Duncan who pushed the ball under the onrushing Vitols to set up an intriguing finish to the friendly.
With the final action of the game a Keith free kick near the halfway line after a foul by Masson allowed the hosts one last chance to get the ball into the box but Vitols was brave and more than equal to it, coming out to collect to secure the win.
We wish Keith all the best for their oncoming season.
Next up for the Under 18’s it’s their league curtain raiser on the 26th of July in Glasgow, where the Champions take on Queens Park
Keith Teamsheet
Reid, Robertson, Lynch, Smith, Barron, Killoh, Ormsby, Brownie, Tough, Taylor, Cooper
Unused Subs: Duncan, Ironside, McKeown, Craib, Trialist, Trialist
Aberdeen Teamsheet Vitols,
Enem (
Stephen 60),
Ross,
Carrol,
Akindileni,
Clark,
Masson,
Mackie (
Wiseman 80),
Teasdale,
Searle (
Green 80),
To.
Unused Subs: Douglas, Rothnie, Payne.
Venue: Kynoch Park, Keith