Aberdeen 2 - 4 Banks o' Dee

An Aberdeen Development Side slipped to defeat against Banks o’Dee in the Semi-final of the Aberdeenshire Cup on Wednesday evening at Spain Park, despite the young side racing into an early two nil lead thanks to a double from Fraser Mackie.

A goal out of the blue from Michael Phillipson gave the hosts hope of a comeback: those dreams becoming reality thanks to three further goals from the Highland League side without an reply from the Dons. Any hopes of a second comeback were all but dismissed when Blair McKenzie saw red with ten minutes to go in the cup tie.

Report

Scott Anderson, who was supported by Christer Persson and Peter Leven for the trip across the city, named an unchanged XI from the one that defeated Dyce in the previous round. Dylan Lobban took the armband for the rematch against the side that had knocked the Young Dons out of the SPFL Trust Trophy back in July. The two sides had plenty of previous history: BOD victors over a very similar looking Development side in the 23/24 Aberdeenshire Shield final last season.

There was a familiar face in the opposition lineup with 2014 League Cup Winner Mark Reynolds at the heart of the home sides defence for the visit of his former club.

It was the away side who raced into an early lead after just four minutes through Mackie. He was alert at the back post to cap off a great attacking move and slide the ball over the line and into the back of the net from close range.

The young Dons were playing some attractive football going forward that was easy on the high and exciting to watch: they got a reward for their early efforts less than ten minutes later, that man Mackie again who raced onto an inch perfect through ball to calmly slot the ball beyond Hoban to double his sides advantage.

The home side showed it wasn’t going to be smooth sailing for the Dons and reduced the deficit through the unmarked Phillipson, he slid in to convert from close range just a few minutes later.

Fletcher Boyd responded with a chance of his own, again capping off a free flowing move with a hopeful effort much like a previous Emslie attempt – the Dons No 10 could only see his shot held.

Banks o’Dee did manage to find the leveller just before the half hour mark. A ball into the box caused a moment of confusion at the wrong time for Rodrigo Vitols who looked unsure whether to come or go for the ball which circled in no man’s land – Mark Gilmour gratefully prodding beyond the Dons ‘keeper with his second attempt.

The game had become quite an end to end contest as it raced towards the end of the opening 45 with chances in both boxes: neither side able to make them count quite yet.

The Dons had gone from in control to irrational at the back and were made to pay with five minutes of the half to go when Vigurs rose highest inside the box to head home from a corner under little challenge to turn the cup tie entirely on its head.

There was to be no more goals in what was an action-packed half and despite racing into an early advantage it was Aberdeen who trailed at the break.

Half-time, Bank o’ Dee 3 Aberdeen 2.

Mackie came close to grabbing his hat-trick, although he didn’t seem to know too much about it. Emslie cut inside and arrowed an effort which Hoban could only push away and into the head of the centre-forward, the ball winding up over the bar.

As often is the case, a first half laden with goals meant the second act was unable to hit the same heights: chances were at a premium for both sides as Aberdeen continued their hunt for a goal to level the tie.

In a cagey half it was always going to be a big moment that decided the outcome of the cup tie and Phillipson delivered exactly that from a free kick to give his side a more comfortable advantage. Lewis Carrol was adjudged to have fouled the recently introduced Hunter on the edge of the box and from almost an identical position to where the forward won the SPFL Trust tie back at the start of the campaign, Phillipson’s free kick rattled off the inside of the bar and beyond Vitols to make it 4-2 to the hosts with just under 20 to play.

Ellis Clark was introduced following the goal, he replaced Cammy Wilson.

Things went from bad to worse for the Dons when McKenzie was shown a red card with ten minutes to go in the game, the Aberdeen centre back deemed to have hauled down the BOD forward with a tug of the shirt as he raced towards goal. From the resulting free kick, Hunter was unable to replicate Phillipson’s earlier effort, this time an attempt well over.

As Aberdeen adapted to going down to ten, Timothy Akindielni was introduced to the backline to replace the dismissed McKenzie, Mackie the one who made way.

Antoniazzi fired an effort over his former clubs bar in the 90th minute to conclude a miserable night of football at Spain Park for the Young Dons.