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Aberdeen 3 - 3 Motherwell

HT Score: Aberdeen 1 - 1 Motherwell

SPL
Aberdeen scorers: Rae 6, McGinn 84, Magennis 90.
Motherwell scorers: Higdon 41, Hutchinson 47, Law 81.

23/09/2012 | KO: 12:45

Late Comeback Secures Draw for Battling Dons

Aberdeen fought back from 3-1 down in this game to claim a point despite taking an early lead. Johnny Hayes crossed superbly for Gavin Rae to give the Dons the advantage but goals from Higdon, Hutchinson and Law gave the Steelmen the lead. Just moments after the third, Niall McGinn scored and Josh Magennis completed the comeback deep in stoppage time to the relief of the Red Army.

Craig Brown made no changes to the side that got a point in the Highlands last week. Scott Vernon continued up front on his own with Hayes and Fraser supporting him on the wings. Josh Magennis remained at right back with Ryan Jack in midfield.

The home side started brightly with Johnny Hayes taking a speculative effort to catch Randolph out that floated just over the bar before Fraser swung in a dangerous cross which Hutchinson had to look sharp to head clear.

On 6 minutes, the Dons were rewarded for their good start to the game. They took a quick corner which made its way to Johnny Hayes who floated in a cross which Gavin Rae powered home to score. It was their first league goal of the season at Pittodrie and the relief was obvious amongst the players and fans alike.

Motherwell tried to respond to their early setback and had a shot hit the cross bar from Ojamaa. At the other end, a great run then cross from Magennis was dummied by Vernon but Fraser couldn't gather it.

Nicky Law then whipped in a good cross which evaded everyone in the box as the visitors looked to hit back.

Ryan Fraser was once again victim to some horrendous treatment from opposition players, with his technical skill causing plenty of problems for them. On 18 minutes Fraser Kerr found himself in referee Bobby Madden's book for a rash tackle on the youngster. Shaun Hutchinson also found himself cautioned for a tackle on Fraser on 28 minutes. Between the two bookings, an Ojamaa shot had to be saved by Langfield on 25 minutes.

Another good run by Magennis down the right should have resulted in more but there was no one in the box to convert the super cross. Seconds later, Johnny Hayes left the ball to Stephen Hughes and he crossed towards Ryan Fraser whose header was weak and Randolph collected.

The Dons were unfortunate when a Fraser cross was deflected away from Ryan Jack in a promising move and the visitors cleared eventually before another cross from Fraser nearly found its way to Vernon but he couldn't get close enough to it on 40 minutes.

Despite the odd promising move they were again failing to create anything clear cut from since they took the league and they were made to pay on 42 minutes when Motherwell hit back. The ball was bouncing around in the box and after a touch from Langfield fell at the feet of Higdon who smashed the ball into the net- his 6th goal in 3 games which left the scores level at Half Time.

HT 1-1

It was the Steelmen who started the second half well and before too long found themselves in front. Tom Hately's corner was headed into the net by Shaun Hutchinson, who had found himself unmarked in the box. It was a blistering start from Motherwell and they continued to press the Dons across the park, creating numerous chances.

Between these chances the Dons tried to create something, Vernon laying on Fraser whose shot went wide of the post before Stephen Hughes crossed and Gavin Rae headed behind. To change things the home side made some changes. Gavin Rae was replaced by Isaac Osbourne and Scott Vernon was replaced by Niall McGinn as the Dons chased an equaliser. The changes saw Josh Magennis move up front with Ryan Jack slotting into right back.

The changes failed to alter the pattern of the game a great deal but Hughes headed wide of the post after Issac Osbourne set up Fraser to send in another cross. Niall McGinn did look sharp when he came on and on 75 minutes he was brought down by Stevie Hammell. From the free kick Randolph saved the effort from Fraser. Cammy Smith then replaced Ryan Jack on 80 minutes.

Michael Higdon had a wild shot at goal before the game looked to be over when Motherwell scored again. Nicky Law converted after Jamie Murphy had flicked on a Hately corner to send the small band of away fans into raptures. It was probably deserved at the time on their second half performance but was the third goal of the afternoon the Dons had conceded from set pieces.

Despite falling further behind the Dons showed great character to fight back and got their reward just a couple of minutes later with a superb goal. Osbourne fed Fraser whose delightful cross from the left side was headed home by McGinn to give the Red Army hope.

The Dons continued to press and when Johnny Hayes was fouled by Hamell (who was booked) the free kick eventually found its way to Magennis who blasted high over the bar. Then Smith, who scored the equaliser at Inverness the previous weekend, nearly did so again but his difficult shot was saved by Randolph.

Aberdeen weren't to be denied their comeback though and in the 3rd minute of stoppage time Josh Magennis equalised after Andrew Considine's touch. That was to be the last action of the game and was the Dons fourth home draw at home of the season but they did show great character to level the game and have got their vital first goals at Pittodrie of the season.

Aberdeen Teamsheet
Langfield, Magennis, Anderson, Reynolds, Considine, Jack (Smith 80), Rae (Osbourne 63), Hughes, Fraser, Vernon (McGinn 63), Hayes.

Unused Subs: Brown, Megginson, Clark, Robertson.
Motherwell Teamsheet
Darren Randolph, Fraser Kerr, Adam Cummins, Shaun Hutchinson, Stevie Hammell, Tom Hateley, Keith Lasley, Nicky Law, Chris Humphrey, Michael Higdon, Henrik Ojamaa (Jamie Murphy 79). Unused Subs: Stewart Carswell, Lee Erwin, Zaine Francis-Angol, Omar Daley, Lee Hollis, Simon Ramsden.

Bookings:  Fraser Kerr (19),   Shaun Hutchinson (28),   Stevie Hammell (86).
Attendance: 8,577
Visitors:197
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: Bobby Madden, East Kilbride
Next Match
Hibernian
H
21 Dec 2024 / 15:00 / Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen