Aberdeen 3 - 1 Motherwell

The Dons started positively when Anderson delivered a long ball through the middle in the first minute. Michie collected and appeared to be brought down on the edge of the box. Mr. Rowbotham thought differently and waved play on. The Dons had the upper hand and Fabiano and Young were causing the visitors problems as they attacked on the flanks. However Motherwell should have taken the lead in the 9th minute when Hammell broke on the right and fired in a low cross. Kjaer could only palm the ball into the path of Kemas, but the Frenchman scooped his shot wide.

The Dons responded with a series of corners, which Motherwell easily dealt with. The Dons then carved out a chance in the 16th minute when Deloumeaux released McAllister wide left. Michie met his cross, but his shot was drilled straight at Woods who made an easy save. Three minutes later the youngster went close again when he cut in from the left and curled a shot inches wide of the far post.

The two-goal cushion made life a lot more comfortable for the Dons, but Motherwell fired a warning shot in the 28th minute when Lehman saw Kjaer off his line. He attempted an audacious lob from 12 yards, which landed on the roof of the net. Five minutes later Motherwell were forced into a change when Lasley was stretchered off and replaced by Ramsay.

Motherwell pulled a goal back in the 41st minute and what a cracker it was. Bisconti brought down Pearson 22 yards out and Derek Adams stepped up and hit a fierce shot into the postage stamp corner giving Kjaer no chance. This simply spurred the Dons into action and they hit back in the 43rd minute when Scott Michie scored his first senior goal for the club. Mike lobbed the ball over the Motherwell defence and the youngster ran on to the pass before rounding Woods and calmly slotting the ball into the net.

The Dons could have added to their tally in the final minutes when first a powerful Mike header was tipped over the bar by Woods and the resultant corner saw Hammell clear a Derek Young shot off the goal line.

Aberdeen were looking comfortable, but seemed happy to let Motherwell create chances and hit on the break. To be fair, the visitors didn't threaten much although a free header in the 68th minute was a bit worrying. After the goal rush in the opening 45 minutes, there was less for the 6,557 poor souls to shout about.

The game ended in a flurry of goalmouth activity. McGuire was first up when he controlled the ball on his chest and hit a low shot which Woods did well to get down to and turn around his post. Four minutes later Woods denied Billio twice before Kjaer was called into action in the closing minute to deny Leitch.