Aberdeen 4 - 3 Airdrieonians

In each of their first two Premier Reserve League games, the young Dons have come from behind, securing a 4-3 victory over Airdrie at Pittodrie and a 3-3 draw with Dunfermline at East End Park.

"Apart from the character the young lads have shown in getting these results, they have been playing good football going forward," says Willie Miller. "Their defensive work, however, has not been so good, a bit naive, and that has cost them some soft goals. That is something we'll be working on in training."

Coach Miller has no complaints about the side's ability to score goals, particularly in the case of Andy Gibson, who has claimed five in two games. "This is an important season for Andy if he is to register a serious challenge for first-team consideration, but if he continues to find the target regularly, his claim will be difficult to ignore."

The point coach Miller made in last week's Reserve Report about the youthful Pittodrie squad having to cope with more experienced opposition was underlined against Airdre at Pittodrie, when the visiting side included six or seven players with considerable first team experience.

In a game of fluctuating fortunes, the young Dons twice lost a one-goal lead, and then found themselves down to ten men and trailing 2-3 when Stephen McAnespie conceded a penalty and was sent off under the new "last man" ruling. Their answer was a spirited fight-back to snatch a 4-3 victory.

The youngsters' refusal to concede defeat received every encouragement from the example set them by the more experienced members of the side, particularly the midfield generalship of Ian Cameron, while Michael Watt exerted a similar influenceon a rearguard which had two stopgap full backs in Graham Watson and Andy Roddie.

Although both these players produced workmanlike performances operating out of their accustomed positions, the makeshift nature of the young Dons' defence did contribute to the loss of "avoidable" goals. Andy Gibson capped an effective game by claiming two of the goals, with Cameron and young Kenny Gilbert providing the others.

Source: Match Programme, Saturday 24th August 1991