Feb 282016
 

Aberdeen couldn’t pounce upon Celtic dropping points against Hamilton, and dropped points themselves against a late levelling St Johnstone, says Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

pittodrieIt was a clear, dare I say, spring looking afternoon, but the pitch looked a tad patchy. Around the country though, it could’ve looked a lot worse.

Gradually things became overcast, and without that sunlight you could truly see the brown of the earth and mud all over pitch.

U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ belted out the tannoys, which would be about half right. Hard-Fi’s ‘Hard To Beat’, however, didn’t seem to ring as true, given recent form.

Again the weather changed, weirdly, as AC/CD’s ‘Thunderstruck’ came on. With this came more sun light and the illusion the pitch wasn’t so bad. The attendance, from first impressions, seemed also patchy.

With Adam Rooney out injured with a leg strain and Shaleum Logan suspended, it didn’t look to be the typical, straightforward home fixture for the Dons. It would be down to Simon Church to deliver the goods up front, more or less.

An early chance to score was foiled by the Saints keeper, Alan Mannus, but frankly, it was an ordinary effort. They had their own chance, but this went over the bar.

Graeme Shinnie later made what looked like a karate kick for a bruising challenge.

Kenny McLean was then fouled; winning a free kick in, more or less, the centre of the pitch. This attack was repelled.

Dons keeper Scott Brown safely picked up a trundling ball.

Up the other end, Saints scramble away after attempt on goal. A cross results in another attack upon them, but no cigar for Aberdeen.

Down the other end, Dons clear ball from danger.

There’s then a dubious free kick for the McDiarmid Park men, as McLean appeared to be the fouled party.

The Pittodrie side struggle to get the ball away from danger. However, Shinnie then homes in on goal but the resulting ball was deflected.

A Saints ball is mopped up by a pressing Aberdeen side, but not clinical enough.

Willo Flood gets binned with a wild challenge. Free kick ensues and Saints parry it away, again.

There’s an important throw in for Aberdeen in key area. This earns them a subsequent corner.

Niall McGinn whips in super cross, but Saints’ stopper and his back four command their area with force.

Aberdeen’s own back four make a heavy pass, and are fortunate not to gift a golden opportunity.

As said, Saints are a fair unit at the back, good team play and coordination. Flood gets frisky with opposing players after one of their number gets decked.

Aberdeen then have a fortuitous refereeing decision as Saints home in on goal.

Double defensive errors gift Aberdeen a golden opportunity, which isn’t taken.

Saints win a throw in a key position.

Flood appears to be losing his rag, giving away not his first foul.

Slack passing almost gifted Saints an interception in dangerous area.

Shinnie‘s low cross is straight at the away side, right onto the defensive header away from goal.

Peter Pawlett earns Aberdeen another chance, via a corner.

Shinnie almost gets there, with attempted diving header.

Church though, much like in the Celtic game, bundles the ball over the line with a predatory pounce.

1-0 Aberdeen after 35 minutes!

Saints then send, down the other end of the pitch, a ball that eventually finds itself over the bar.

Captain Ryan Jack almost latches onto a expert long ball, a move that could’ve been a second good attempt on goal.

A Saints player is then bundled over behind the referee, and things get shirty. Jack, and Saints’ Danny Swanson are both booked. At one point it looked like the former perhaps had latter in a headlock.

Andrew Considine’s subsequent headed effort lands safely into hands of Mannus.

The late David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ signals end of play. Perhaps conveying Aberdeen’s status as current frontrunners in the eyes of the Red Army?

Halftime 1-0.

Aberdeen are intercepted, but go on to win a corner. They then come close with another corner.

An Aberdeen header is then nullified by Saints’ defence.

Shinnie finds himself on the floor, and hobbles off. The resulting free kick goes close.

Flood is dogged, winning the ball when the chips were down.

Aberdeen scupper their best chance so far to go two goals ahead.

Saints scramble the ball away, and they’re fortunate the decision points to a goal kick.

Aberdeen’s following advance into box is blown over the bar,

Shinnie’s determination forces a chance in box, but the ball is swept away.

Saints then clear their lines and Aberdeen get a throw in their opponents half.

Aberdeen seem like they’ve kicked a rugby ball over the sticks, to score a conversation, and not a goal. A prime chance wasted.

Saints are then awarded a free kick in a dangerous area after their goal bound man is taken down outside the box.

Church heads down a perfect ball to a teammate and an Aberdeen attack begins. A later move sees Saints side foot the ball into the side netting.

“What’s that, eh?”

This from the usually rather quiet Mark Reynolds, railing against the linesman’s decision.

McGinn appears to fall foul of an over demonstrative Saints man, writhing on the floor.

This follows a dubious decision not to award an offside decision in Aberdeen’s favour but thankfully, Brown saves.

Ashton Taylor again wins a header to keep his team safe.

“Cheat, cheat, cheat, cheat”

This rang through Pittodrie as a Saints man goes down on the wing of the box.

Then a sustained Aberdeen attack ends comfortably in the keeper’s arms.

Shinnie gets booked. McGinn wins the ball but is chopped down.

Taylor comes in with emphatic header to keep team out of danger, and goes out for a throw.

Then a sustained Saints attack ends, thankfully, with an attempt well over the bar.

After 84 minutes Pawlett came off for Scott Wright. He makes an immediate impact, stubborn to the last and not going down for a foul.

Saints send a trundling ball way off the mark.

Four minutes after that substitution, however, St Johnstone are awarded a penalty.

Substitute Liam Craig sends Brown wrong way. Craig turned to the Main and Merkland Stand corner, goading the Aberdeen support, fingers to ears. The intention, supposing, that the sound, or lack of it, was deafening. The wind had been taken out of the sails of the Red Army.

1-1.

Three minutes of additional play were then called.

McGinn blootered the ball over the bar after a meandering dribble around Saints’ box.

“Cheats, cheats, cheats, cheats”

This after the obligatory shaking of hands at the fulltime whistle.

“Oh, when the Saints/
Go marching in
Oh, when the Saints/
Go marching in
I want to be in that number/
When the Saints go marching in”

Some of the Saints were still doing drills after the game. Perhaps those who deserved to win won, as opposed to those who thought it was an entitlement.

Final score:  1-1.

Feb 042016
 

Aberdeen hung in there to score another consecutive Pittodrie victory over league leaders Celtic, says Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

merkalndpic2It was a clear, nippy night. The pitch didn’t fare so well, though. It was torn up really badly.

There really hasn’t been any respite for the surface, in these winter months.

Prior to the match, there was a derisive jeer for linesman passing ball to a Celtic player during a warm up drill.

Perhaps a sign of things to come? The conspiratorial support already sensing a bias towards the men in green and white?

However, hopefully with the tannoys blasting Hard-Fi’s ‘Hard to Beat’, the home side would be geed up and willing to fight, even if decisions won’t go their way.

Building up to the match, the place was brimming, buzzing.  AC/DC’s moody ‘Thunderstruck’ was getting the supporters pumped.

Poor Efe Ambrose, his prior sending off gifting Ross County a cup final, didn’t fare well when his name was announced for the bench. The Red Army’s hero Hoop helping the Dons, and hurting the Celts, before the game’s even begun.

As the players came on the pitch, fans in the Dick Donald Stand held aloft streamers of red and silver; and cards red and white.

‘Stand Free’ was ringing through Pittodrie, with only the Hoops huddle interrupting:

“Stand free/
Whoever you may be
We are the famous Aberdeen/
We don’t give a fuck
Whoever you may be/
We are the famous Aberdeen”

Onto the game proper, Celtic threatened early on but the ball is cleared.

An Aberdeen free kick results in half chance for the Dons.

Then there’s a frustrating tussle. Celtic appear to be in the wrong, but it goes in their favour with a low shot in on Dons goal.

Things are quickly becoming heated, could yet get bad tempered.

An in-swinging free kick is picked up by Hoops goalie, Craig Gordon.

Up the other end, Aberdeen are forced into conceding throw in Main Stand/Dick Donald Stand corner.

Celtic hammer in shot but deflected corner. Scott Brown held this resulting ball with authority. The subsequent free kick produced the same result.

New Don Simon Church was found wanting in linkup play with Shaleum Logan.

Celtic drilled goalward, though the ball flew over bar. It looked ominous.

Steven McLean floats promising free kick opportunity over, and well over, bar.  What a waste.

Church again tries linkup play, but nobody there. Perhaps still gelling with new teammates.

Logan forces fortuitous throw in Main Stand/Merkland Stand corner.

Leigh Griffiths jeered, falling as he homes in on goal. This was followed by Dons free kick of no consequence.

McLean concedes a stupid free kick, pushing down his opponent. Lucky to get away with it, really.

Aberdeen then have close shave after Celtic corner, the ball bobbing precariously in penalty area.

Referee at this point seems to be awarding decisions to players who tumble over blades of grass. This generally in favour of the Parkhead men.

Brown was then at full stretch, but Celtic attack goes wide.

Suddenly, up the other end, Jonny Hayes rockets in wonder ball. This time it’s Gordon at full stretch. He’s beaten

1-0 Aberdeen 31 minutes into the game! Pittodrie comes to the tune of KC and the Sunshine Band’s ‘Give It Up’, replacing the lyrics with Hayes’ name.

Aberdeen’s Brown dives to keep Dons in lead, swatting the ball away as best he can.  He and his back four even keep Celtic corner out of harm’s way.

Back in a more encouraging position, Hayes surges forward and is tackled; but wins a corner, nonetheless.

2-0!  McLean gets in an emphatic header; but it’s Church who bundles it over the line, 37 minutes into the game.

“We’re red/
You’re dead
We’re bouncing on your head/
Aberdeen, Aberdeen”

Then, having heard what’s at stake for Celtic manager Ronny Deila if his team’s to lose:

“Ronny/
What’s the score
Ronny, Ronny/
What’s the score”

Moving on, Ashton Taylor tries from distance. Right idea, but a tad high with no real power.

It was thought a hurting Celtic would be a deadly proposition, as with most top teams in any league. They seemed genuinely lacking, though.

There was a flashpoint with Logan swiped to floor, and Celtic earning a yellow card.

Not long after, the ball was thundered into bottom right corner. This was well saved by keeper, Gordon.

There was then a sliding and vital tackle to deny Celtic chance on goal. There was mass applause upon half time.

Without a third goal, it’s not totally unfeasible Celtic could claw a comeback.

Halftime 1-0.

Aberdeen get early chance with corner, which glances far post.

Star man Hayes does well, beating two, three players.  He does too much, pressing his luck, not passing it, and dispossessed of the ball.

Knowing the enmity Celtic have with Aberdeen, especially regarding Logan, the Red Army get right behind the defender offering moral support. He’s he taking a throw in the away South/Stand Dick Donald corner:

“There’s only one Shay Logan/
One Shay Logan”

Later a ball is lofted to corner of box, via free kick scramble, but no third goal for the Dons.

There’s then cat calls for Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata as he makes shot-come-cross attempt. Further derision arises as Celtic player puts ball out for throw, and then trips over it.

“You are a Weegie, a fuckin’ Weegie/
You’re only happy on giro day
Your da’s a stealer, your ma’s a dealer/
Please don’t take my hubcaps away”

What follows is a good passing game, but ball into box lands straight into Gordon’s hands.

Down the other end, keeper Brown should’ve challenged for ball, though Hoops too inept to exploit Dons hesitation.

There’s a scandalous lack of offside decision, going very much in Celtic’s favour. Not long after, there’s a scramble that almost results in goal for Glasgow side.

The home side themselves get a flurry of action, and twice. Both times Gordon making brave saves, mopping his floor.

Niall McGinn tries from distance, and the goalie palms it out for a corner.

Taylor gets into a tussle, and is taken to the ground. Somehow referee McLean decides in Celtic’s favour.

The young Craig Storie puts Celtic skipper Scott Brown on the floor, for a needless free kick concession. Griffiths then caught looking for penalty.  Storie later gets booked.

McGinn was taken off, in favour of Andrew Considine after 72 minutes.

Shoring up the defence, however, didn’t stop a close Celtic shave and there were unsuccessful calls for a penalty for the away side.

Then there’s a scrap in the box that goes out for a Celtic corner. Ball bobbles dangerously near far corner.

Peter Pawlett was put on, in place of Simon Church after 76 minutes.

A corner of their own was overcooked by Hayes. Opposite end sees Celtic caught offside probing penalty area.

A penalty claim of their own was overlooked by McLean.

“Referee/
You’re such a fuckin’ penis
Referee/
You’re a horse’s arse”

Gordon then once again thwarted Aberdeen, mopping up a set piece.

Hayes was taken off, in favour of Cammy Smith after 86 minutes.

“You’re getting sacked in the morning
You’re getting sacked in the morning/
Sacked in the morning”

Storie checks opposite number and it goes out for a Celtic corner. Taker almost loses footing and’s berated accordingly. There’s a scramble but the Dons clear their lines.

Three minutes of extra time were added. Hayes was announced as man of the match. Cue cheers.

Celtic pounce amid poor defending, but the game is already won for Aberdeen.

2-1 (Griffiths) more or less at the death of the game.

Final score:  2-1.

Jan 232016
 

Only one goal divided Aberdeen and Dundee but this belied the excitement of the fixture, says Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

pittodrieIt was a chilly Friday night, and the pitch was decidedly brown and muddy. It probably wasn’t even amongst the worst of grounds in the league either, especially at this time of year.
Ex-Don Nicky Low could be seen soaking up the glory after beating his own keeper during a shooting drill. Team sheets also showed Graeme Shinnie to be Dons captain.

Not long after kick off, Aberdeen’s keeper Scott Brown was forced into an embarrassing concession of the ball, chasing it out for a throw in.

There was some good linkup play nipped in the bud up the other end.

Jonny Hayes then forced a corner. Adam Rooney appeared to be hustled off resulting incoming ball.

Kenny McLean later just put a tad too much on ball to corner , putting it out for a goal kick. The ball again found itself in a similar position, but went out for a corner.

A scramble in box almost resulted in a goal, going out, then back into the box, a fingertip save from Scott Bain keeping it from goal. There was then a third situation in the box, which Bain again denied with a fantastic stop.

Brown then pulled off similar heroics at the other end. His backline slipped up not long after, but recovered as Dundee put a dangerous ball across the box. Later they floated the ball completely over bar.

Despite this minor onslaught, Rooney changed things for the home team after 14 minutes.

He completed move instigated by Hayes, who powered in a low and sweeping ball to find his teammate at the back post.

1-0 Aberdeen!

Aberdeen played it safe and put ball out for throw in to quell Dundee advance.

Following that, there was a cynical challenge that put Hayes on the deck as he strode forward. McGinn was flat on his backside taking the resulting free kick.

There was then a good block to deny Dundee good crack on goal.

Back up the other end, Shinnie fought for a ball and was awarded with corner.

David Goodwillie then glanced a low shot just wide of the post as Aberdeen caught Dundee sleeping.

Dundee produced similar from a corner of their own, but Brown snuffed it out.

Heavy touches during play denied Aberdeen good chances on goal.

Then Brown made an excellent block, and teammates mopped up a potential rebound opportunity. A later defensive error left him having to make a brave challenge for the ball, but he managed to retain it in his hands.

One of his backline, Ashton Taylor, delivers an expert ball into opposition box, but Dundee rise to neutralise it.

Dundee later linkup well but intercepted outside Aberdeen’s box.

Hayes wins corner but Bain leapt to catch.

Down the other end, brave goalkeeping from Brown kept Aberdeen’s sheet clean.

There was then another Aberdeen corner put away by Dundee. Subsequent play resulted in another corner, which was saved brilliantly by Bain.

Halftime 1-0.

The White Stripes song ‘Seven Nation Army’ blasted through the speakers, the anthem for the Red Army’s very own band. Maybe a lucky number seven for McLean, a gander that he may help his side to subsequent goals?

Anyway, Dundee were back on the pitch quite quick. They could be seen out doing sprint drills.

Come the opening stages of the second half, Aberdeen sweep away a Dundee advance.

Then Brown had to slide to the ground to stop Dundee attack in its tracks.

Shaleum Logan clashes with opposite number, and both went down. He’s then booked for high feet.

“You’re only sheep shagging bastards/
You’re only sheep shagging bastards”

This was, as many are familiar, followed with the stock response:

“We’re only sheep shagging bastards/
We’re only sheep shagging bastards”

There was also ‘We don’t give a peep, whoever you may be’, for ‘Stand Free’, sung by a younger member of the crowd. I always wondered how kids navigated that one when with their parents…

Anyway, once the vitriol subsided, Bain was forced into yet another Aberdeen a goal denial.

McGinn and Hayes were also unlucky as they bombed forward.

Further excellent play was cut out by the Dark Blues.

There followed an unbelievable scoring opportunity for the home side. It went well over the bar despite being more or less a sitter.

Shinnie then threw himself into a challenge, clattering the ball off opponent upon impact.

Taylor then put the Pittodrie men in danger with a lax header back to Brown. He was lucky to get away with the unsuccessful resulting corner.

In turn, the Dens Park men clawed a corner that should’ve never been, as the result of legitimate offside claim that was not acted upon by the linesman.

In fact, the general rhythm of the game appeared to be continually interrupted by a pedantic referee in Alan Muir.

Logan, however, whipped the ball into the box, but the resulting header was held securely in hands of Bain.

Goodwillie later shrugged off a barge and delivered an expert ball along the ground towards the box.

McGinn then came in with right idea, a shot as opposed to passing into net, but with just too much height on the ball.

The Red Army then had their own opportunity to pour scorn on the opposing team, after Shinnie was floored floor by a particularly bad challenge.

Cammy Smith came onto the pitch, replacing David Goodwillie after 82 minutes.

Dundee star man Bain put out a dangerous ball for a corner. It left the box, only to be put back in. Finally, it went out for a goal kick.

There was also a ball right across penalty area, but no takers.

The other Scott between the sticks, Brown, spilt a hard drive but nobody was nearby to pounce.

There followed another mad scramble. This saw Dundee with a real chance of equalising, but the dud attempt, almost clear on goal, went well over the bar. Albeit the man had his back to goal, and all he could do was hit it overhead.

Towards the end, Aberdeen were screaming for a penalty, but no cigar.

Final score:  1-0.

Dec 312015
 

Partick Thistle were impenetrable against an Aberdeen side with plenty of endeavour but not enough finesse in the final third, reports Voice’s Andrew Watson.

merklandandrewThe pitch was a little more torn than it was for the Caley game Saturday past. That Boxing Day affair was a tad windy, though this night was calmer in that respect.

It would prove to be the tale of the two Thistles, both stealing a point from an at times imposing and hostile Pittodrie.

It was expected Partick would be brushed aside after the Dons struggled, and rallied against the Thistle of Caledonia.

Whoever was policing the music over the tannoy seemed quite ebullient.

First it was The Stone Roses with ‘I Am the Resurrection’. This the phoenix from the ashes after a subsequent draw, aiming for flaming glory and a full three points. This bluntly segued, during the former’s middle section, into the following:

“Goodness/ No, I’ve never known a night like this”
– Hard-Fi – Hard To Beat

This would be the night they put everything right. Perhaps a tad complacent victory would come their way, because they somehow felt they deserved it and can’t be beat?

It wasn’t the same announcer, either. Not the usual speaking through a crackling and faulty sounding tannoy. Maybe something in the air, a touch of superstition, to ensure and obtain victory?

Anyway, the Manchester City baby blue of Partick was sure to get off colour with such a muddy pitch and generally wet conditions.

Their goalkeeper Tomas Cerny was forced into a save with a Jonny Hayes delivery.

The latter then earned a corner for Aberdeen. He takes it, and Niall McGinn earns his side another corner. Cerny saves the resulting non threatening header.

A subsequent McGinn delivery was mopped up by the goalie.

Kenny McLean won the Dons a free kick. Hayes takes the kick, and the Cerny again gets his hands on it.

Not long after, McGinn tees himself off for a wonder shot on goal, but fumbles. Willo Flood cracks  one that goes out for a corner. This then comes to no end after a tussle in the box results in a free kick for Partick.

McLean then admirably remains on feet to header to Hayes, who hones in on goal but is mobbed by the back four. His free kick claim is rejected.

There’s then some good Aberdeen defending to deny Thistle. They then go on the counter attack and are unfortunate not to score.

credible claim for a penalty turned down

Thistle are then on the counter attack themselves. There’s a mazy run, but not fruitful. There’s a subsequent shot at Danny Ward, but straight into his hands.

Aberdeen come into some luck with a good free kick opportunity. McGinn drives the ball into the box, but far too low.

There followed a superb, from distance, attempt on goal with Graeme Shinnie smacking his shot off the crossbar.

However, Aberdeen were almost caught out on the counterattack.

McGinn pops up again and beat the last man. However, he was denied by the keeper. Feasibly he could’ve chipped him, but was perhaps seeking to go down the more obvious goal scoring avenue.

Thistle then had a good free kick opportunity just outside Aberdeen’s box. Following this, they’d a credible claim for a penalty turned down.

Another Partick attack was nullified after a superb interception by wingback, Shaleum Logan.

Adam Rooney then clawed play back up the pitch, his determination winning a throw in a fortuitous position.

Skipper Ryan Jack thereafter frustrated things by electing to pass rather than shoot on goal, much to the chagrin of the fans.

Hayes’ dribbling strides were then too big to threaten Thistle back four.

Some hope for an eventual goal returned when Rooney almost expertly received a long ball, just outside the box. He didn’t quite get it, though.

There was some good linkup play with McLean and Hayes, but the goalie cottoned onto it.

The former won a free kick for his team. This, though, was batted away by Thistle.

McGinn then overcooked his shot after beating his man. Shinnie soon did similar, overcooking his delivery into box.

In turn, even McLean admits fault for slipup on pass. A later mishap from him puts Flood in danger and on the back foot.

Cerny couldn’t even be beaten at close range

There was a double clash in the middle of the pitch, both arguably late tackles. Perhaps from this point a sign that the game was about to get bad tempered.

This was followed by one minute of additional play.

Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘Three Little Birds’ were yet again reassuring the fans over the tannoy at halftime that victory would yet come.

Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me’ stated ‘Peter Pawlett (Baby)’ as a hopeful substitute for after the break.

Furthermore, KC and the Sunshine Band were extoling the virtues of Hayes’ first half performance, with ‘Give It Up’.

Kicking things off again was McLean, who was denied on goal after a commendable mazy run.

Defensively, Ashton Taylor leapt to deny opposition ball into box. His team then went on a counterattack, but were snuffed out.

Aberdeen then absorb a worrying and persistent foray into their box.

Generally, Aberdeen were trying too hard to pass it into the net. There was no sharpshooting with this side.

Flood then conceded free kick for challenging header.

Logan afterwards delivered a deft ball but McGinn couldn’t latch onto it and beat the keeper. Cerny couldn’t even be beaten at close range, with good reflexes.

The other man between the sticks, Ward, was almost caught out with a poor kick out that could’ve been costly.

Flood then came up with a through ball, but was a tad elusive for fellow teammates.

Two of them, the centre backs, combined well to help Ward comfortably catch a potential threat in the box.

Pawlett did eventually, it turns out, come on the pitch on the 65 minute mark, with Jack subbed.

Aberdeen were fortunate not to go a goal down

Generally, Partick were never say die, and keeping their game alive. They clawed away torrent of attack after attack, which started with a corner.

Hayes then won a free kick on corner of the box.

Cerny later dived low to absorb Aberdeen attack. It was all thick and fast, yet they still held on.

Taylor delivered a fine ball, but teammates were marked out.

The man to potentially change things, Pawlett, instigated another barrage. No luck. His muscular runs beating everybody bar the keeper.  The latter rising to beat every man in red, no matter how far away from his two sticks.

Thistle then have what could be an essential crack on goal, with a rare corner. No luck.

Aberdeen were fortunate not to go a goal down with some lax marking, leaving a man totally free not far from goal.

Thistle then have another rare corner. Dons manage to bat it away.

Shinnie was integral to the back fours clean sheet aspirations, snuffing out a dangerous attack and deflecting a goal bound ball out for a corner.  Thistle are really getting into the game, attacking wise, by this point.

Then 83 minutes into the game Cammy Smith came on for McGinn.

Finally, Ward’s beaten. Off target, though.

Logan, though, is later booked for what was arguably a cynical challenge.

Yet again, Aberdeen cannot beat this resolute Partick side. Even up close, where scoring seems a given, there’s no goal to be seen.

There looks to be plenty additional play, especially with an injury in the Main Stand/Dick Donald Stand corner. A Firhill man is on the floor, and looks it might be serious.

This was followed by five minutes of additional play. Cue boos from Red Army when Partick take their time for a substitution.

One last lash on goal for Aberdeen, but over the bar. Ward has last kick of the game before whistle sounds.

Final score:  0-0.

Dec 272015
 

Aberdeen were almost comeback kings against Inverness but had to be content securing a point against their Highland rivals, says Voice’s Andrew Watson.

pittodrieThe pitch looked not bad considering the weather.

Having said that, it looked the game might descend into a mud bath quite quickly.

The groundsmen did all they could to keep the playing surface level.

There were boos when Willie Collum was announced as referee for the match, a man that has never been popular with the Dons support.

The rain was absolutely lashing down, and Pittodrie being so near the North Sea perhaps it was little wonder.

The Real Madrid white of Inverness looked set to go off colour fairly quickly in this mucky contest.

Opening the game, there was some pretty good link up play between Shaleum Logan and Jonny Hayes. The ball unfortunately went out of play, though.

Captain Ryan Jack also teamed up with the aforementioned duo not long after. The trio were, however, swiftly dealt with.

Adam Rooney had slightly more luck, but his low drive towards goal was slightly lacking power and precision.

Steven McLean figured in things, winning a header, but couldn’t be kept in play.

Logan couldn’t quite keep in a speculative attacking delivery, too.

Some close up action in the box followed, but with no red shirts getting a foot on the ball.

Danny Ward then saved Aberdeen’s blushes, coming out to shut out an Inverness advance. Further to that, a good opening for the away side was thrown away as the ball was skied over the bar from distance.

Down the other end of the park, Ashton Taylor lofted a ball beyond his teammates and straight into the hands of the opposing keeper.

There was then a contentious offside decision as Aberdeen closed in on goal.

Graeme Shinnie then found himself fouled, inviting a free kick opportunity. The resulting run of play saw McLean come close with a drive on goal.

There was another set piece which went out for a corner. There was some good attacking play, but Caley managed to scramble it away.

A ball from Andrew Considine was caught by keeper, Owain Fon Williams. From thereon the Caley Jags carved open Aberdeen and almost scored.

Niall McGinn put in a good ball into the opposing box, but nobody rose to the occasion and fought for it. Williams catches.

Referee Collum brought forth the ire of the Red Army for seemingly awarding a foul that was arguably a slip on the wet surface.

Considine then showed endeavour with a run down the wing into the box, and though unsuccessful, won a throw in for his troubles.

Not long after, there was an in-swinging corner headed over the bar. Just as inaccurate was Logan’s overly clever long ball, nowhere near any of his teammates in that final third of the pitch.

On the other hand, there was some encouraging work with McLean tussling to maintain possession. However, his dribbling direction was anticipated by his opposing number.

There was a good ball into their box, though Considine’s header was a tad weak.

Keeper Ward mopped up another Aberdeen slip at the back.

Inverness almost scored an own goal trying to put out an Aberdeen cross, this resulting in a corner.

Then came a moment that was perhaps inevitable. Paul Quinn was pushed aside far too easily, and the resulting cutback was guided into the goal.

0-1 (Liam Polworth) 41 minutes into the game.

Aberdeen were carved open again and were lucky not to be two goals down. That moment would come, though.

Half time was called when Aberdeen were advancing toward goal. This incurring boos from the Red Army.

Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘Three Little Birds’ were once again reassuring them over the tannoy that everything would be alright. Boney M’s ‘Danny (Ward) Cool’ stated the only positive of the game so far, that our keeper’s cool head under pressure was keeping us in the game.

By this point the pitch was looking pretty torn up. It was also getting a tad windier.

The Red Army was told to ‘Place Your Hands’ and put them up by Reef. This quick post-interval snippet was hoped to gee up the fans and, in turn, the players.

However, it was only two minutes into the second half when Inverness found themselves with a penalty, and a potential two goal cushion over the home side. Again, Quinn was at fault.

0-2 (Greg Tansey).

In response Hayes fired in a cross, but skied it for a goal kick.

David Goodwillie came on the pitch at the 49 minute mark, with Quinn coming off.

The run of play had the Caledonian Thistle faithful singing ‘You’re not famous anymore’. They were almost shut up with a good attempt on goal.

Hayes redeemed himself retrieving a wayward ball, but came unstuck – as did the team as a whole. They appeared to have little desire, fight, to chase the ball if not a pinpoint pass.

There was, though, a flurry of action in the Inverness goal but nothing of note happened. After that, there was also some expert last gasp defending holding back the Aberdeen attack.

Williams ended up on the floor after an incident in his box. His teammates took this as an opportunity to restock on fluids whilst his head got bandaged up.

Following this there was some silly long range shooting from Aberdeen, given how windy conditions were.

An instance in which this almost worked was a cross whipped in but Williams punched it away.

Considine was then fortunate that a foul was awarded in his favour. He was well and truly beaten by his opposite half.

Aberdeen were throwing everything and the kitchen sink against Inverness, but did it with little of the guile needed to be successful in the final third of the pitch. The ball did almost cross that line, to be fair.

McGinn eventually pounced to claw one back 73 minutes into the game.

1-2!

Not long after, Aberdeen had a curling effort wide of the post. During this, also, Collum incensed the home support with the soft awarding of yet more contentious free kicks.

Logan then intervened in the nick of time to keep away that third goal.

McGinn could’ve been the hero, but touch in front of goal was poor.

McLean, arguably with the moment of the match, thundered a shot that appeared to rattle off the underside of the crossbar, but no luck.

Adam Rooney then picked out to score from the penalty spot after a hand ball.

2-2 90 minutes into the game!

Six minutes followed that penalty. A winning goal could feasibly come from either side.

Goodwillie slid well to battle for ball, but lost it.

Game over. A tough way to go about earning a measly point. Good fight back, though. Perhaps the weather went against, though that’s often a leveller for anyone in football.

Final score:  2-2.

Dec 142015
 

Aberdeen survived the first true test of their comeback against quite a stout Hearts side, says Andrew Watson.

merkalndpic2As with the Ross County game, the pitch was surprisingly good for the time of year.

Again, it was a bit chilly, but not too bad.

Before kick-off there was a sizeable, interesting and colourful display, in the Dick Donald stand, of metallic red and silver.

Aberdeen had to repel a couple early advances from the Jambos, though managed to put the ball out of play.

Jonny Hayes then had a free kick claim denied near the corner. He then knocked a high ball into the box, only marginally inaccurate.

Kenny McLean suffered at the hands of a pedantic referee in Craig Thomson, after challenging for a header. He then missed the far post by inches.

Supporters were jubilant, thinking ‘goal’, but had to make do with a second chance via a corner.

The Tyncastle side, however, went on the counter attack. They, then, had a second chance with a corner.

After that, Graeme Shinnie caught an excellent pass but was defeated by the defender. That eventually went out for a corner.

Generally, there were then some poor balls from Aberdeen. There was just not enough height to them to meet their receiver. However, Hearts were seemingly first to every ball.  In the air, especially.

Hayes then came in with a cross come shot, and almost scored.

Willo Flood came in with some tough tackling to breakdown Hearts, but threw away advantage with a heavy touch upon nutmegging the opposition.

Hayes then won a free kick after being fouled. After that, he came in with a timely tackle to halt a counterattack.

Hearts’ Miguel Pallardo was then booked for checking Peter Pawlett. Not long after, they then received a subsequent warning which incensed the home crowd.

McLean, amidst all the physicality, wasn’t afraid to get dirty and slid to knock the ball into the box.

Defender Ashton Taylor then weighed in with a shot of fine power, but slightly lacking in accuracy.

Hayes, however, not long after came sliding in on the volley. Powerful but straight at keeper, Neil Alexander.

Flood was proving to be a workhorse, chasing the ball and very determined in the tackle, but his passing was wayward; backwards and sideways.

Subsequently, McLean was caught too busy looking for the foul in the box. He should’ve really played advantage and capitalised.

It also became apparent that Hearts couldn’t be beaten to the challenge in the air. Long balls, therefore, weren’t looking likely to work against them.

Again McLean was amidst it all, dashing down the wing. He was eventually stopped, but earned his side a free kick just outside the box. This was headed straight into the keeper’s arms.

Adam Rooney then pressed forward, but lost the impetus of his side’s attack. It went out, albeit it for a home side throw. Then, after that, the away side took the potential sting out of things when one of their own went down.

After all this hoopla, Shaleum Logan, whether shooting or crossing, put the ball on the roof of the net after that throw.

Alexander then came to the rescue of his side with an athletic save.

There was then one minute of additional play before the half ended.

Ryan Jack came on the pitch to replace Mark Reynolds after 45 minutes, just before kicking off the second half.

Things kicked off with Andrew Considine recovering a poor pass from Flood, with an expert sliding tackle.

There was another reasonable ball into the opposition’s box, but again Aberdeen were beaten by the height of the Hearts’ defence. The latter then cleared the ball off the line, after another attack.

The Edinburgh men then cracked the ball off the home side’s crossbar, and then got booked for a heavy challenge. This had the Red Army up in arms.

Aberdeen then had a chance glance from goal, with an almost successful cross. It didn’t quite make it, though.

Hearts remained resolute despite Aberdeen’s constant barrage of attacks. Alexander appeared to suffer the brunt of the onslaught, but managed to stay on the pitch.

There was then good linkup play between Rooney and Shinnie, but they were thwarted in the end.

The latter soon found himself off the pitch, but thankfully came back on.

The ball was then knocked over the bar for an Aberdeen corner.

Pawlett was felled, which resulted in a worrying Hearts counterattack. They were barely inches from scoring. Then a corner, then the ball was knocked off the line!

Hearts then accrued what would end up four yellow cards in the game, with Shinnie backed into after beating his man.

There then followed a period in which Hearts, for the first time since the opening stages, found their attacking feet.

Considine saved Aberdeen’s blushes, heading away a goalward cross. Danny Ward also rised, and caught, another attempt on his goal.

McInnes made his final substitute at 73 minutes, with Pawlett coming off for David Goodwillie.

Flood then found himself lucky not to be sent off, after coming in with a late lunge. He looked to have avoided the yellow, but that would’ve been totally unfair to the away side.

Up the other end of the pitch, too many touches were made in the opponent’s box. Goodwillie, in particular, was guilty of this.

A last gasp challenge was made, once they lost the ball, in their own box.  Luck would have it this sliding interception wasn’t considered penalty worthy.

The game began to get progressively more bad tempered as time wore on.

The Dons defence was really waning with the pressure.

It was near the death when Ward made an authoritive catch to ease things for his beleaguered back four.

His team then instigated, somehow, a penalty.

It was Adam Rooney who stepped up. He did, coolly slotting it away in the bottom corner. Alexander made it a photo finish.

1-0 after 87 minutes!

Hayes, after this, ran at the defence, earning Aberdeen a corner.

There was then two minutes of additional play before the game ended.

Hearts, with their last throw of the dice, blootered the ball nowhere near the goal. It was a fine defensive display by Hearts, but they were defeated with a lowly drilled penalty when they couldn’t be beaten with the long ball.

Final score:  1-0.

Nov 292015
 

Aberdeen ended the half a goal down to Ross County, but rallied as winners by the end of the game, opines Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

pittodrieIt was cold, brisk and windy. The pitch was a tad worn but looking good for the time of the year.

During warm up, the Staggies seemed to be struggling with an intense passing drill, the Red Army no doubt hoping this would be indicative of their pitch performance.

Ex-Don Richard Foster got some boos, no doubt because his history with bitter rivals Rangers.

However, Ex-County man Paul Quinn appeared to garner no sizeable reaction from the away end despite donning the red and white of Aberdeen.

The game began with the home side playing some scrappy football. This resulted in a Ross County corner, but nothing came of it.

County keeper Gary Woods was forced into a hasty clearance by striker Adam Rooney.

Graeme Shinnie then made a well-executed challenge to retain possession for Aberdeen.

One of the better chances for the Dons came as Rooney made a cut back in the opposition’s box, only for the ball to be safely mopped up by Woods.

On the other end of the pitch, keeper Danny Ward’s clearance falls to County and an ensuing free kick to little end is called by the referee.

A free kick for the home side, taken by winger Jonny Hayes, falls fortuitously into box, but knocked over the bar.

14 minutes into the game, a poorly held ball by Mark Reynolds is snatched as he claims handball. The Staggies play on their initiative is rewarded.

0-1 (Craig Curran).

Not long after there was a great individual effort from Hayes, beating the opposition and only his finishing touch on goal below par. His quick link up play with Shaleum Logan during a free kick was prior to this.

His involvement of a different kind in a tussle with Foster incurred more derision for the latter.

Rooney then almost cottoned onto a free kick with head.

Come this point Aberdeen’s game then descended into desperate sliding tackles in their own box to avoid going a second goal down. However, they almost equalised with a good counter attack.

They then incurred some Red Army wrath with negative passing, culminating in the ball winding all the way back to keeper Ward.

Ross County were in a good position to double their lead, but a free kick just outside the box wasn’t exploited.

The ball, by this point, seemed to spend half the time in mid-air and was absolutely terrible to watch.

Alternately, Staggies were almost gifted an elusive two goal cushion via a long ball. Recipient couldn’t latch onto it, though.

County captain Andrew Davies was later rolling on the pitch in pain, though stayed on the pitch. This was taken as an opportunity for his teammates to have a water break, which irked the home fans to some degree.

An Aberdeen attack then went for nothing after the Victoria Park men at the back were beaten. The end product, debateable as to whether a shot or cross, let them down.

A big decision, which was arguably one of the biggest controversies of the game, then occurred. The Dons had a fortunate bobble of the ball just outside their box, but were then penalised for picking up the ball after a perceived foul upon them. They managed to remain a goal down.

Foster was never far away from the Red Army’s desire to see him hooked for his infractions, kicking the ball away from Ward after a goal kick was declared.

Not long after Ward, in turn, and not for the first time, made a poor clearance and managed to get away with it. His kicking is a significant improvement upon Jamie Langfield’s, but not for this game.

His defensive charges in front of him weren’t faring much better, and lost the ball in their own half, which went out for a corner. Again, they didn’t pay for this.

The build up to the second half seemed daftly optimistic. One song they pumped out through the tannoy system seemed particularly bizarre:

“Don’t worry about a thing/
‘cause every little thing gonna be alright”
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Three Little Birds

Yet, what was more laughable were the tributes to a couple of the players. Ward had, of course, had a terrible game but somehow ‘Daddy Cool’ by Boney M was steady singing his praises; with minimal participation with a hacked off home crowd.

There was also ‘Baby Give It Up’ by KC and the Sunshine Band which extoled Hayes. Who was to know key moments in the remaining half would be at the hands, and feet, of those two; and for the good.

Things didn’t bode well to begin with; with the ominous first touch of the Dandies a lumped ball into the opposition’s half, and nobody there in a red shirt.

Also, when one saw Reynolds, seemingly unnecessarily put the ball over the bar for a corner, you wondered if Ward patted his backside as if to spank him for bad behaviour.

Their luck did turn when Niall McGinn offered a perfect opportunity for Rooney to score an equaliser. He hoofed into the roof of the net to jubilation.

1-1 after 51 minutes!

The Reds then went ahead two minutes after. Hayes bombed down the left and dipped his shot past Woods.

2-1 Aberdeen!

The game thereon appeared heated, with plenty of meaty challenges. Kenny McLean doing so with some fine defensive work, and also Willo Flood clearing well to safety.

Ward made yet another poor clearance, this one a low one but was lucky to be spared embarrassment.

Aberdeen fans were irate after some high feet from Ross County. Their man, Liam Boyce, in turn was rolling on the ground and earned a free kick. His teammate went for a dipping, curling effort which went over the crossbar.

At the other end, Woods came in with a dive to keep the ball out of danger and caught the resulting corner.

Ward redeemed himself when his super quick reflexes kept Aberdeen in a winning position. They earned a corner at the other end of the pitch, but the header went awry and landed on top of the net.

Hayes did go close however, keeper, at quite a tight angle, made himself big and recovered the situation.

McLean helped put it beyond the away side with a cross that McGinn pounced upon.

3-1 Aberdeen after 80 minutes!

Woods’ stopped the rot for Ross County, and they managed to scupper another well positioned Aberdeen free kick. Logan was also unfortunate with a well placed shot.

Craig Storie came on for Willo Flood at the 88 minute mark.

Then Paul Quinn came off for Ash Taylor a minute later.

Storie stopped the Staggies getting a consolation goal near the death, heading the result of a corner off the line.

Goal hero McGinn took a lateral bow after 91 minutes, and was replaced by Cammy Smith.

Aberdeen turned round an utterly dismal first half performance, and, to their credit, did so finishing with a two goal cushion for their troubles.

Final score:  3-1.

Nov 082015
 

Aberdeen regained that winning feeling against New Firm rivals Dundee United, quips Voice’s Andrew Watson.

merkalndpic2The weather was dreich and it was spitting with rain. Light rain but very wet. Was looking to be a messy, sliding and slippy encounter. There was also to be dedication to late teenager Bailey Gwynne.

The build up to the game didn’t really differ much to any other, though it was perhaps apt:

“Right here/
Right now”

Fatboy Slim – Right Here, Right Now

Not much to the song, lyrics-wise, but the delivery seemed perfect for some confrontational New Firm fisticuffs.  Mascot Angus the Bull was even firing up the young supporters in the Merkland Stand; and those in the corner of the Main Stand, too.

Closer to kick-off, AC/DC’s ‘Thunder’ boomed through the speakers. It was hoped the only thunder that afternoon would be the endeavour of the Dons in pursuit of winning ways.

The fixture attracted a decent crowd despite the recent run in question. Fitting, you’d suppose, given that there was to be a minute’s silence for the follow day’s Remembrance Sunday.

Aberdeen started well, with an inviting ball put out for a corner. No early goal, though.

Down the other end of the pitch keeper Danny Ward was twice forced to come out between the sticks. First to lump out the ball from danger, and second for a hasty catching of the ball.

Back up again Adam Rooney, via throw in, reached Kenny McLean but the latter was snuffed out before he could progress into the danger area.

Shaleum Logan was then chopped down for a free kick. Jonny Hayes floated in the ball too close to United’s keeper, who grasped for safety.

Later Graeme Shinnie came in with a driving run but lost ball. Play continued via teammates and the ball really should’ve been in the back of the net.

Willo Flood, as ever it seems in this fixture against his former team, showed battling spirit to earn a deflection and goal kick for his side.

Not long after, a Dundee United attack was smothered just before one on one with Ward.

After sixteen minutes of play, there was a minute’s applause for 16 year-old Bailey Gwynne.

Then Tangerines’ stopper Michal Szromnik caught a potentially costly deflection.

Shinnie then got a ball into the opposition’s box, going out for a corner.

Aberdeen, generally speaking, seemed to be focusing on possession rather than incision. Passing the ball sideways and backwards and just happy enough to keep the ball.

Ex- Arabs’ man Flood tried one from distance, but no cigar.

Someone with a bit of hunger, Logan, was seen patting away the linesman, as the latter harried him to take his throw on the right spot. His ball then went out for a corner.

The Tannadice men then had a dipping effort go out for a corner.

Flood conspired with Hayes for a set piece. The former put in a good ball, but to no end.

Aberdeen, in attacking terms, were seeking to control the ball in tight situations instead of going for the first touch. That combined with a counterproductive emphasis on possession made for some frustrating viewing.

Captain Ryan Jack was caught looking for a foul, and with play continuing Aberdeen were fortunate to diffuse the ensuing attack.

Not long after they then had to clear their lines and were fortunate, in turn, to not be a goal down.

Flood was unlucky with some determined work into the box, but was caught with a key, intercepting tackle.

There was then a big cheer in the away end as Dundee United earned one of their first corners of the game. Then they were almost one on one, but shot wide.

It became McLean’s turn to seek a foul and claim unsuccessfully. The potential ramifications though weren’t as grave as that of Jack’s instance.

Halftime was called right as the Dons delivered into their New Firm rival’s box. The Red Army were left wondering why time wasn’t called when the ball was in a more neutral position.

Come the second half Hayes persisted as danger man. His cross starting the half, however, was caught by Szromnik.

His defence mopped up a subsequent corner.

The Dons defence was then lucky that the recalcitrance of former skipper Mark Reynolds to make a challenge was rewarded with a poor headed effort by United.

The moment the Reds were hoping for finally came with Rooney exploiting a busy box. This shut up a very rowdy Tangerines’ crowd.

1-0 Aberdeen after 52 minutes!

Afterwards Hayes sent in yet another perfectly weighted and dangerous ball, almost resulting in a second goal.

Later Aberdeen broke free, but were eventually shut down.

Dundee United almost foiled the home side with a low drive just past the hands of Ward and his post on the bottom corner.

McLean lofted a ball to Shinnie, but the latter’s first touch controlling the ball was a poor one.

Not long after he also seemed to go down a bit softly, earning a free kick. The opportunity, however, was left unexploited.

Dundee United were making hard work of Aberdeen’s bid for a second goal, and an instance of their defending in the box was exemplary. Talk about putting your head on the chopping block. Kamikaze commitment was one way of putting it.

Again, Aberdeen were scared of first touch; not knowing when to pull the trigger.

United then had a close one in the attack. This one almost shaved the opposite post, this time.

Another away attack was staved with a Peter Pawlett header. A subsequent attack, however, wasn’t deal with so good. Confusion and hesitance were in abundance, and still they were let off the hook.

Hayes responded with a superb run right down towards the box of the opposition, driving a low and powerful shot into the bottom far corner.

2-0 Aberdeen in 73 minutes!

He then had a little disagreement, back outside his own box, with Shinnie as to who should be marking who. They left a free man, but thankfully didn’t pay for it.

McLean was then substituted seven minutes after goal. He was replaced by Barry Robson. Niall McGinn then came on for Pawlett.

Hayes then attempted a top corner effort, though unsuccessfully. Later he was callously shoved off the ball after outplaying his opponent with a fine piece of skill.  He deservedly won Man of the Match.

United came in late with a laughable, speculative shot on goal. They skied it.

The home side, in the latter minutes, mopped up an advance rather poorly and were lucky to get away with it.

Aberdeen then made their third and final change after 90 minutes. This was to take off Hayes and bring on Liverpool loanee Ryan McLaughlin.

Final score:  2-0.

Oct 252015
 

Aberdeen couldn’t capitalise on the luck they had going ahead in this game, and ended up with only one point, remarks Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

pittodrieIn the build-up to the game it looked like miserable weather for a potentially miserable spectacle.
Fortunately the conditions warmed and cleared up slightly.
Aberdeen almost threatened early on, with winger Jonny Hayes delivering an inviting cross into the box, but beaten by a good diving defensive header.

Conversely, it took a sliding Shaleum Logan to deny Motherwell a good chance on goal.

There was a good cross put out for a corner for the Reds, though Motherwell cleared for an unsuccessful counter attack.

Some lax defensive work almost saw Adam Rooney snap up the ball just outside the Motherwell box, but keeper Connor Ripley recovered the fumbled ball and picked it up.

Down the other end, Aberdeen’s man between the sticks, Danny Ward, then made an excellent diving effort as a shot just went wide.

Dogged defending by the Steelmen denied Peter Pawlett as he launched a powerful run into their box.

There was also some good linkup play from the Dons, but Logan’s cross into the final third fell short.

Motherwell came agonisingly close afterwards, beating an outstretched Ward but still going just wide.

The aforementioned Logan was unfortunate not to get a free kick for high feet. Credit to him, though, no complaints.

The Fir Park men broke free, but the ball was put out.

Hayes threatened, doing well to beat his man. However, he seemingly opted for an impossible shot at an impossible angle, instead of simply making the pass with a cutback.

Again Hayes was involved in the next run of play, with some good linking with Niall McGinn. The latter making an incisive pass to the former, only for the former to overcook his finish.  Easily best chance of the game so far.

Switching halves, Ward almost undid his good work leaping for a high ball by dropping his save. Thankfully picked it up in time, though.

The stalemate was then broken, with Logan winning a free kick due to a poor challenge. Rooney headed down a ball that then deceived the keeper with a wicked bounce that went in for a goal.

1-0 Aberdeen after 43 minutes!

Captain Ryan Jack then had an impressive half volley effort go above the crossbar by not too great a height. Not much happened between that and half time.

Opening the second half was a Motherwell attack, though this was only a tame headed effort saved comfortably by Ward.

Pawlett then comfortably shrugged off ‘Well’s captain Keith Lasley but the Dons were then dispossessed. The latter was then taken off.

Aberdeen came close, just over the bar. Motherwell came close, just chalked for offside.

The Reds then got painfully close with good play between Rooney and Hayes, the former playing provider instead of taker. Hayes had it bobbling just past the post.  Agonising.

The ball did eventually cross the line, but Mark Reynolds’ effort was deemed offside.

Motherwell’s Scott McDonald then came on the pitch. This was to prove decisive towards the game’s conclusion. Until then, the Red Army marvelled at Pawlett’s spectacular overhead effort that just went over the bar.

It became apparent that Ashton Taylor was struggling with some form of back pain, but was soldiering on. However, Paul Quinn came on for Taylor come the 70 minute mark.

Pesky Pawlett then got almost clear on goal, his low driving effort just wide.

Three minutes after that substitution, Motherwell hit back. McDonald dived to head past Ward. He turned to the Main Stand, goading the Aberdeen support.

1-1.

Not long after this Aberdeen had a good effort almost take a fortuitous deflection, but the errant ball was caught by Ripley.

After 80 minutes Pawlett came off for David Goodwillie.

Hayes drove into the box but the angle was too tight to beat Ripley.

The only joy post-Rooney-goal for the Dons support was when Graeme Shinnie put McDonald on his backside with a gamely shoulder barge. They erupted with derision.

Ripley reared again with an amazing fingertip save, catlike reflexes. His opposite number, Ward, pulled off similar heroics, too.

Near the death McGinn was substituted for youngster Ryan McLauglin.

Ward then made another decisive stop, earning his side a point. It’s all they deserved.

With the last chance of the game Hayes almost turned things around, though nobody tagged onto his searching pass.

Final score:  1-1.

Oct 042015
 

When Aberdeen clawed one back it looked to be an exciting game ahead, but they went on to lose heavily to St Johnstone, reports Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

merkalndpic2It was notable that ex-Don Joe Shaughnessy didn’t receive a frosty reception when his name was called out for the starting eleven. Maybe he enjoyed a level of anonymity only finally unveiled when he scored that second goal, mind.

The first came only after five minutes. To be fair, it was a good diving effort by keeper Danny Ward.

He dived full body, the goal seemingly passing between his two outstretched hands.

0-1 (Brian Easton).

The aforementioned shocker delivered by ex-Red Shaughnessy came only five minutes later. It was from close range and unceremonious, amidst a busy penalty box.

0-2.

Thankfully Aberdeen quickly got one back, and all didn’t seem so lost anymore. Saints’ keeper fumbled the ball for a corner. Big man Ashton Taylor leapt for a powerful header 12 minutes in.

1-2.

After this both teams came close to scoring, and just over fifteen minutes later the Perth men capitalised on yet another chance.

1-3 (Liam Craig) after 30 minutes.

It’s around about this time that the game began to get a little bit bad tempered.

Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack was seen in a spat with a couple of Saints’ players, who were doggedly setting about play when the ball had already gone out for a throw in. Then there was a free kick.

The Pittodrie side just couldn’t cut it. The opposition, if defending in their box, were the first to every ball; out of any danger.

There’d been a lot of action, so this necessitated an extra minute’s play at the end of the first half.

During the interval it was telling the Red Army were in no singing mood, and the expected response of Peter Pawlett Baby to Human League’s Don’t You Want Me Baby never came.  Instead, they were immersed in the walking football half time entertainment.

They also had little truck for Danny Cool, adapted from Boney M’s Daddy Cool. Apparently this is a tribute to the cool head of Danny Ward. Maybe lack of reciprocation was to do with the fact he was having a stinker.

And it was to get worse, too.

The Dons defence had barely kicked off for the second half when ex-Dandy Steven MacLean was allowed to sneak a weak header which only just bobbed over the line.

1-4 two minutes into the second half.

Aberdeen made their first change 49 minutes into the game, with Pawlett replaced by David Goodwillie.

Probably the most satisfaction the Pittodrie faithful had was when the McDiarmid Park men blootered the ball for a rugby conversion.

That was short lived when MacLean nicked his second of the game. The crowd had already given up a goal prior, but this was now desolation.

1-5 after 51 minutes.

The away support were in raptures, even cheering every successive pass their team made.

To rub salt into the wounds Aberdeen then missed a sitter.

Aberdeen made their final change 67 minutes into the game, with Barry Robson replacing Kenny McLean; and Jonny Hayes replaced by Scott Wright.

These changes made little difference and Aberdeen would’ve had the fans going absolutely ballistic at them for their lack of urgency, had one of the Saints’ not had to be taken off.

There were further derisive cheers from the home crowd when St Johnstone’s Simon Lappin was booked.

Goal number six almost arrived when Ward spilled the ball, but he was saved embarrassment.

It was actually surprising the lack of response there was when ex-Aberdeen MacLean came off to be substituted. Perhaps they were now beyond caring. Aberdeen had one last close chance, and that was it. Finished.

The only other incidents of note were Graeme Shinnie gesturing to the linesman about a perceived infringement, and a very frustrated Robson booting the ball off the roof of the Main Stand at the final whistle.

Final score:  1-5.