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Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 0 – Pittodrie Stadium 11.03.17

Mar 122017

By Red Fin Hall.

A quick return visit from the manager-less Steelmen, but a harder match was to be expected than the 7-2 drubbing we handed out to them on the previous occasion.
Being AFC Community Trust day, a large contingent of children and first timers were in attendance.

The club had said that the Merkland Stand had sold out, but there were enough empty seats to nullify this claim.

With Captain Ryan Jack back from injury, but Andrew Considine joining Mark Reynolds on the injury list, changes were inevitable. Graeme Shinnie slotted into the left back position, whilst Jayden Stockley continued in his up front position with Andrew Rooney.

After a rainy night and morning, it dried up, but it didn’t do anything to help the already sodden pitch.

Referee Euan Anderson blowed whistle as The Don’s kicked off towards the King Street end.

The first free kick of the game was awarded to the home team when Chris Cadden deliberately pulled down Jonny Hayes. Niall McGinn’s free kick was palmed away by keeper Craig Samson.

A good ball from Ash Taylor was received by Adam Rooney who was in plenty of space and had seemingly plenty of time, but the striker unnecessarily rushed the shot and the ball went out for a goal kick.

8 minutes into the match, McGinn collected a pass really well on the right side of the pitch. He then executed a perfect cross for Rooney, but his header was just off target. A minute later Motherwell were awarded the first corner of the game.

The centre pairing of Taylor and Anthony O’Connor were caught napping, but fortunately Motherwell were incapable of cashing in on the error.

The first booking of the game saw ‘Well defender, Ben Heneghan shown a yellow card for coming back onto the field without permission – after being on the sidelines getting treatment for a head injury.

The pattern for the afternoon was set for Rooney when he managed to steal the ball from Zak Jules and Carl McHugh, then had a shocking ‘un-strikerlike’ attempt at goal.

This bad luck / carelessness continued in the 18th minute, when, not for the first time this season, he attempted to find the back of the net with an overhead kick. This time he didn’t even manage to make contact with the ball.

With Shinnie taking over the left back slot, we were missing somebody at this juncture who could put their foot on the ball in midfield and hold play up for a moment or two to try and alter this tousy game.

Jules, in the spirit of their tactics, conceded a free kick when he clattered Stockley to the ground

Midway through the half, good interplay between Shay Logan, McGinn and Stockley saw Rooney taking the final touch. This time his sharp shot was much more positive, but still couldn’t find the net, the ball going marginal over the bar.

Ryan Bowman became the second player to be booked for deliberately taking down Shinnie after the defender had ran back 30 yards to tackle the ball away from ‘Well number 12, Cadden, who had broken away.

The defence was called into action next when O’Connor took the ball off of Scott McDonald as he was lining up to take shot. The ball was then worked forward to McGinn whose shot was on target, but well saved by Samson.

Motherwell seemed to have came with a plan to stop the Dons building a rhythm to the game, and it was working successfully. Jules, in the spirit of their tactics, conceded a free kick when he clattered Stockley to the ground 30 yards out.

The half drew to a close with Hayes, McGinn and Stockley nipping away and trying to break down the resilient Steelmen to no avail.

Half time 0-0.

With both teams unchanged from the first half, it was Motherwell who, within 4 minutes of the second, had the first attempt at breaking the deadlock when Scott McDonald, from just outside the goal area, chipped the ball over the defence. However, Joe Lewis was perfectly placed to catch the ball in his arms.

Good persistent play from Stockley saw the tall Englishman winning a corner. The end play from the set piece saw the ball enciphered at the feet of Taylor in a well forward position. The tall defender struck the ball from the left side of the goal mouth at a diagonal angle, going narrowly beyond the far right post near the crossbar.

Kenny McLean was having a really strong game, being involved in most moves. One minute bang in front of the goal winning a corner, next back helping with the defence.

21 minutes into the second half, the visitors made the first change of the game with Ryan Bowman being replace by Jacob Blyth, who was introduced I presume to add some spirit to the Motherwell play.

McLean was in action again in the 62nd minute when he slotted a great ball towards the far post which, with Shinnie just unable to make contact, went over for a goal kick. McLean had another unsuccessful attempt at goal just a minute later .

The final booking of the game, the sixth for the visitors, went to Cadden

Stephen Pearson became the next Motherwell player to fall foul of the ref when he was booked for holding back the pacy Jonny Hayes the Dons winger sprinted goal-ward.

Motherwell were content to waste time and settle for the draw.

Their fourth booking went to Hammel, Captain for the day, who chopped down McGinn.

In the 73rd minute Rooney was replaced by Ryan Christie. Soon after, Hammel was substituted as Elliot Frear came on for Motherwell.

Meanwhile, in between these two substitutions, yet another Motherwell booking was given. This time it was David Ferguson who was the recipient, long overdue, for time wasting.

Stockley received a yellow card with 7 minutes to go. At the same time O’Connor was replaced by Miles Storey as Derek McInnes was determined to get a win. The Dons never-say-die attitude was needed now as time was ticking away.

The game was held up for a while as Stockley and Ferguson received treatment, the 2 players having cracked their heads together in a challenge.

The final booking of the game, the sixth for the visitors, went to Cadden who refused to release the ball for The Dons to take a throw.

It was looking like an undeserved draw was on the cards when fourth official Scott Millar indicated there were 5 minutes of time to be added on.

In the first of these minutes, Jonny Hayes shot the ball across the area from the left, to the right. McGinn ran into the ball and swept it into to the back of the net, shattering the hardworking but poorly skilled visitors, and sending the home fans into raptures as AFC move 9 points clear in second place.

1-0

The match sponsors bemused the crowd by awarding McGinn the man of the match, whilst ignoring the best player on the pitch, McLean.

Final score 1-0.

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Aberdeen 7 Motherwell 2 – Pittodrie Stadium 15.02.17

Opinion, Sport No Responses »

Feb 172017

By Red Fin Hall.

This rescheduled league game is Aberdeen’s game in hand over the rest of the league. It comes two days after defender Andy Considine became the third player to commit their future to the club, and Derek McInnes telling the media that still has a lot of unfinished business in the North East, and has no interest in The Rangers’ managerial position.

Being unable to field an unchanged team tonight due to the suspension of Graeme Shinnie, Ryan Christie stepped into the breach.

Referee Alan Muir got the game under way in fin not of a crowd of just over 10,600 on a clear and fine evening.

With Andrew Considine having just signed an new contract keeping him at the club for another couple of years, and Derek McInnes reiterating his desire to stay at the club, despite the (by now boring) insistence of certain sections of Main Stream Media that he is certain to be on his way to Govan, the good feeling amongst fans was running high.

That feeling was well and truly justified when the match was but a mere two minutes old when a shot toward Motherwell’s goal from Shay Logan was blocked. It fell to Adam Rooney whose shot also was blocked. The loose ball fell to Jonny Hayes who, from the edge of the area, shot into the goal past all the defenders from a tight angle to make it 1-0 – before some fans had even taken their seats.

Motherwell were awarded a corner in the 4th minute, but it troubled no-one.

Setting the tone of the game, Aberdeen were looking sharp and pacy as usual. With ten minutes having elapsed, Logan had a go from the right side of the pitch but his shot was more than wayward, and almost high enough to go over the roof of The Merkland Stand.

As the Dons pressed hard looking for more goals, even this early, Christie had himself in a good position just outside the box, but looking a tad unconfident, dithered about too much and the chance was squandered.

Some nice interplay between Niall McGinn and Hayes and Rooney followed, but the latter’s overhead kick went just wide.

With not even 15 minutes in the clock, Christie again had the ball at the edge of the box, This time he didn’t hesitate but his shot too went wide. Aberdeen were certainly looking hungry for more goals. This piece of action was swiftly followed by a very good pass by McGinn to Christie, who was running through. The ball was just a tad too long and fast for he youngster to reach.

Aberdeen were given he first free kick of the game when Hayes was tripped in his own half.

Still looking strong going forward, Christie became the provider and Hayes the receptor. Taking an example of Logan some minutes previously, he too blootered the ball high and wide. Nevertheless this pair were leading by example and, linking up well, another effort from the loan signing, Christie was the result of this partnership.

finally fulfilling his potential since signing from St Mirren a couple of seasons ago

Lee Lucas for the visitors tripped Kenny McLean. McLean took the kick himself, but it was too far out to cause any concern for Craig Samson in goal.
With even the home defence venturing upfield, an excellent ball in to Ash Taylor from Christie saw the tall Englishman head just wide. Desperately seeking a second goal, Hayes saw another attempt go just wide.

Lucas then found himself being the first player to be booked for committing a second foul; this time on Christie. From 30 yards out, the kick was taken by McLean who seems to be finally fulfilling his potential since signing from St Mirren a couple of seasons ago. He aimed the ball for Considine, but a corner was the only reward.

Coming from the left side, McGinn took said corner kick. He too aimed his shot towards Consi. The defender was standing at the far post, he gratefully got on the end of the ball and headed it downwards and bouncing into the net for Aberdeen’s well deserved second goal.

2-0.

Great persistent play just a wee while later, by Hayes, after a mistake by Motherwell captain, Keith Lasley, as he failed to get the ball clear in his own area, saw the Aberdeen number 11 pass to Rooney, who was situated by the back post. He made no mistake and slotted the ball into the net.

3-0

Rooney was through on his own again a few moments later, after he gathered a slack ball from a Motherwell player , but a well timed tackle from Richard Tait prevented another goal.

With 41 minutes gone, McGinn took another corner. He passed the ball to nearby Hayes; he touched over to Considine, he then slipped to Christie who was badly marked just inside the opposition’s box, and with the outside of his left foot chipped it smartly into to top right corner of the net.

4-0, and potential goal of the month.

Two minutes later, a superb angled, long ball by McLean found Rooney who proceeded to sky it ala Logan and Hayes.

Just as half time was upon us, Christie, enjoying his first start, made a great run and cut the ball back to captain Ryan Jack. His shot went marginally wide.

Half time: 4-0. The players left the field as the whole stadium stood and gave them a rousing ovation. Well, apart from the few visiting fans.

The second half got underway, with no changes made by either side, and The Dons starting off just as the completed the previous 45 minutes, with Christie bursting through again. This time his pass found the ever willing Hayes but the Irishman’s shot went wide.

Whatever Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said to his players at half time, it certainly had an effect. For the next 10 -12 minutes they made a bit more effort to try and get something from the game, but without really causing Aberdeen any real cause for concern.

it took five tellings from the ref and the intervention of a police officer

Considine was booked for something unknown, as many fans were expecting the free kick to be awarded the other way for a handball. The resultant free kick was assuredly snatched out of the air by Joe Lewis and the ball promptly dispatched to Christie.

At the end of that move McGinn fired an absolute screamer from around 39 yards out. It was turned out for a Corner by Samson who was having a good game.

The referee then gave a free kick to Motherwell for another mysterious infringement.

On the 60 minute mark, Taylor was rightly booked for for a badly mistimed challenge on Ryan Bowman. Before the free kick was taken, the referee had to go over to the dug-outs and and deal with the Motherwell manager who, apparently was having a right go at the fourth official. He was then summarily dispatched to the stands – although it took five tellings from the ref and the intervention of a police officer before he made his way to a seat amidst of a bunch of Aberdeen fans.

Shortly thereafter, Aberdeen were awarded a penalty when Logan was bundled over in the box. Obviously Rooney stepped up to take it, and obviously he didn’t miss.

5-0

Motherwell introduced the first substitute of the evening in the 67th minute, when Elliot Frear was replaced by Craig Clay.

That didn’t help them though, as they hadn’t had a chance to get into the game, when another McGinn corner found Rooney, who netted his hat trick.

6-0

Rooney was then taken off and Jayden Stockley came on. McGinn also left the field of play, and Peter Pawlett took his place.

Mark Reynolds proceeded to foul Louis Moult, and a free kick was given.

Lewis then makes an uncharacteristic error and came off his line to try and pull the ball out of the air and missed. Bowman headed the ball over him and into the net.

6-1

Taylor then had a second of carelessness by passing the ball a few feet to Bowman, who, fortunately, didn’t manage to take advantage of the mistake.

Stockley, who has more to his game than just his height, made a great cross to McGinn who’s effort was saved.

There followed a great run by Hayes, who crossed the ball to the far post to Logan, who in turn passed it to Stockley. His overhead kick, like several attempts by others previously, went a tad wide.

Aberdeen made their final substitution of the game, when Miles Storey came on, and Christie went off to a standing ovation.

Motherwell went upfield on a rare foray, and were given a corner. The said corner was missed by every defender to get to the far post, where number 88 for the visitors, Stephen Pearson, scored.

6-2

Aberdeen weren’t finished yet. Enjoying their dominance, and perhaps aggrieved by conceding two poor goals, and with only 8 minutes to go, Hayes led the charge back up field. He slipped the ball to Pawlett, and the substitute put it away.

7-2

This goal was the 7999th goal to be scored since the SPFL was formed 3 1/2 years ago. Stockley had another shot saved by their keeper, who was the only player in their team who can hold his head up, despite the deficit.

He was called into action again, and quite spectacularly so, when Taylor picked up the ball just around his own half and set off on a run, before firing in a fantastic shot from about 35 yards out. Samson reacted brilliantly to what would have been goal of the game, if not goal of the month, and dived and palmed it away.

The match ended soon after with home crowd exceedingly happy with the unexpected result, and the few fans from Lanarkshire anything but. I expect some would have demanded their money back, if they hadn’t been given free admission due to the fact that Aberdeen decided, because of the floodlight failure in the original game, it would be unfair to charge them twice.

Full Time: 7-2

Up next for The Dons is an away trip to Ayrshire on Sunday where they will meet manager-less Kilmarnock. Since Derek McInnes took charge, we have played them 12 times and won every time.

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Aberdeen v Motherwell – No Lights, Early End Up Tunnel

Opinion, Sport No Responses »

Dec 162016

By Red Fin Hall.

Never mind the pitch taking a hammering, the pockets of the supporters will be too, with this bring the third home tie in the space of 8 days. Continuing the busy December schedule, The Dons faced Motherwell in tonight’s rearranged league match, hoping to close the gap on the pretenders to second spot, The Rangers.

A small crowd, smaller than last week, braved the grey and dreich conditions, wondering which Aberdeen team would turn up tonight. Hoping against hope it would be the same one that beat Kilmarnock a week ago.

As is his wont, Derek McInnes made a couple of changes to the starting line up from the team that started in Saturday, with Adam Rooney and Niall McGinn losing their places to Shay Logan and Jayden Stockley.

The game kicked off, and four minutes into the match, Andrew Considine was yellow carded for bringing down Scott McDonald.

Within a couple of minutes, a generator tripped, and some of the floodlights failed. After hanging around for a spell, the referee, Alan Muir, took both team off the field.

After around 14 minutes, play resumed when the problem with the electrics was resolved.

The game started again, and almost immediately a second yellow card was forthcoming. This time the Motherwell number 6, Stephen McManus found his name being entered in the referee’s book, when he brought town Peter Pawlett.

Lady Luck was not on anyone’s side tonight, when there floodlights failed again. This time the decision was made to abandon the game.

With a busy schedule in the lead up to the New Year, and then the winter break starting, and The Scottish Cup ties taking place in January, the rescheduling of the game may well be difficult to fit in.

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Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 1 – Pittodrie Stadium 24.10.15

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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.

In 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.

Aberdeen 2 Motherwell 1 – Pittodrie Stadium 13.03.15

Opinion, Sport No Responses »

Mar 142015

Aberdeen fought back from a goal down in a messy and sometimes bad mannered affair, writes Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

It was a snatch and grab for the Pittodrie side.

They gained two goals in quick succession from a Motherwell back line that made costly errors.

This undone the vital one goal lead the Steelmen gained very much against the run of play.

It was 35 minutes into the game that manager Derek McInnes sought change in his ranks, taking off Donervorn Daniels, replacing him with wing ace Peter Pawlett.

Their man, Lee Erwin, unleashed a shot from outside the box. Keeper Jamie Langfield, back after Scott Brown’s Parkhead display against Celtic, could only look on as Erwin’s teammate Scott McDonald pounced to make that all important touch to put it across the goal line.

0-1 Motherwell (McDonald) only two minutes after said substitution.

Come the second half the dynamics of game changed slightly.

Five minutes into the final forty five, 50 minutes into the game, Ashton Taylor was a free man as an in swinging corner met his head just yards from goal.

Their keeper was nimble yet somehow turned it into his own net.

1-1!

Things went from bad to worse for Motherwell as the Reds, two minutes later, found the back of the net.

This was via some opportunistic poaching from Adam Rooney, punishing some slack defending as confusion reigned between the hapless keeper and his four charges.

2-1 Aberdeen!

Barry Robson replaced David Goodwillie on the 78 minute mark. Twelve minutes later substitute Pawlett was himself taken off, in favour of comeback kid Clark Robertson.

Aberdeen could’ve pushed for that decisive third goal, though it never came.

Having said that, it was refreshing to see them go a goal down and recover.

Perhaps they’d become too accustomed to winning outright and simultaneously grinding out clean sheets. Maybe it shows the diversity in their methods for victory; their versatility.

Final score: 2-1.

Last-gasp McGinn Keeps Dons in

Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport No Responses »

Dec 032012

I know I should perhaps show more empathy towards my injury-stricken Dons, but I felt at times they were hopeless if not gutless, reports Andrew Watson, from snowy Pittodrie.

The laughs came thick and fast, and often they were at the expense of my own team. What can I say? I wasn’t brought up on a diet of Scottish Cup and League Cup victories, let alone title wins and raids on European football’s superpowers.

You could say I revel in mediocrity, if not utter shambles. Sometimes I actually find it funny.

Although the teams I can just about remember from the mid to late 90s were awful, they were full of hatchet men and gap-toothed tough guys who gave their all. Remember firebrand ginger Kiriakov spitting at the opposition, mad Deano and ‘old head’ Leighton? Only the likes of Jess and the late Zerouali ever provided a more cultured side to our game.

I fear that perhaps it’s gone too far the other way, now – passing the ball around on the edge of the box, pretending to be Arsenal, and a lot of smart footwork with little end product. Hardly anyone has the audacity to shoot from distance anymore, not even from just outside the box.

I was therefore more than pleased to rise to my feet early on in anticipation of lightning striking via a Hayes shot from far out. He’s good at his footwork, too. The ‘keeper was lucky!

As said, sometimes comedy was the only respite from an otherwise drab game, a damp squib, or rather a frozen one, until referee Willie Collum drew burning anger from fans. To those familiar with Collum’s reputation at Pittodrie, this didn’t take very long at all. His tendency to award soft fouls – often in favour of the opposition – and be card-happy is well known to most there.

You’ll understand why, then, a member of the honourable Lanarkshire press sitting beside me could barely contain himself. He looked on in wonder as a man spreading mirth and all-round festive cheer declared, ‘ET phone home’, but I couldn’t possibly comment on a match official’s personal appearance.

Tom Hateley, son of Rangers’ legend Mark, was getting a torrid time from the home support, too. Once again, de-tractors in red were ploughing (ha!) his downfall, but it had little do with his supposed lineage to a certain Germanic emperor of days gone by, forename Attila. This time it was donkey noises.

More than once he struck a crap corner, barely lifting them off the ground, let alone into the box.

Ironically, it was Jamie ‘Clangers’ Langfield who set the example of how his teammates should have been playing

The recurringly-disappointing Fallon, a far cry from the man who scored that volley against Hibs in the same competition last year, even fell on his arse mid-tackle. I laughed out of exasperation because this was typical of the fare being played out before me. Too often, players got in each other’s way, both at the back or in attack, and clashed.

Ironically, it was Jamie ‘Clangers’ Langfield who set the example of how his teammates should have been playing. He was head and shoulders above the rest, pulling off last-ditch miraculous saves. If he kept Aberdeen in the game at Easter Road last week, he certainly did the same here.

Half-time, and it was a goalless stalemate.

The only remarkable thing about the second half was the Motherwell goal. Pulling in from the wing, the Steelman cracked a 20-yard bolt towards the top right-hand corner. Unfortunately, the effort was beyond even the heroics of Langfield.

0-1 (Murphy) after 80 minutes.

Dead in the water; out of both cups. Well, we’re not going to win the League, are we?

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

Cue palpable relief ten minutes later when Aberdeen did something rather alien to themselves – the unexpected. In two instances. Father-figure Anderson, defensive stalwart, was replaced by Cammy Smith after 88 minutes. Maybe the impetus for…..

…with barely a minute on the clock, Considine crossed the ball into Motherwell’s box with Niall McGinn rising to the occasion.

1-1 after 90 minutes!

Game over, thankfully. I couldn’t have been done with extra time. A replay it is, then.

It was an encounter similar, at least in outcome, to the 3-3 draw secured against the Fir Park side earlier in the season, when Magennis scored at the death.

How will this struggling team cope with a midweek game away from home, especially if injuries leave us with another makeshift side? Hopefully progress delayed will be time made in re-instating some currently crocked players.

Final score: 1-1.

McGinn Puts Niall In Dundee Coffin

Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport No Responses »

Oct 292012

After it ended a goal apiece at Tannadice last weekend, I dare say it was assumed by a fair number of Dons fans that a thrashing of United’s ‘inferior’ neighbours was imminent. However, the Dens Park side have avoided Pittodrie defeat since October 1993, when Dons legend Duncan Shearer scored the winner. Perhaps a home victory was not so inevitable after all? Andrew Watson reports.

Aberdeen were quick off the mark, and a rampant Fraser was displaying a forward-thinking bloodlust not seen in an Aberdeen attack for a long time.

Vernon seemingly had the cheek to criticise the wee man’s delivery after fluffing an excellent chance to put his side ahead early on.

The opening goal, when it came, was partly thanks to a deliberate fluff by Vernon.

After receiving, again from Fraser, the Englishman dummied the ball and allowed Irishman Niall McGinn to fire the ball into the roof of the net. Heard the one about the Scotsman, Englishman and Irishman?

1-0, after fourteen minutes. Ha ha ha!

Jokes aside, this really should have been a demolition job in the first half. Chance after chance came, and Dundee were lucky to hold on to even the remotest of chances of staying in the game. It should have been well out of reach for them by the break, with an ebullient Aberdeen, prey in sight, knocking the ball into their opponent’s box for fun.

Come the second half, there appeared to be a change of tack by Dundee. They were determined, disciplined and even began to get behind the Dons defence for the first time. Admittedly, Aberdeen were the better side, though it couldn’t quite yet be taken for granted that a victory would come their way.

Then a rather peculiar thing happened. An absolutely awful free kick by substitute Jonny Hayes, on for Clark after 65 minutes, unlocked a dithering Dundee defence at the 74 minute mark. A low shot, hit with little power, ended up in the back of the net. Without exactly setting the heather alight, Hayes proved his worth and raised realistic hopes of a comfortable home victory.

2-0.

Not much of note to report after that. A perfectly legitimate consolation goal for Dundee, which was disallowed, was about it, to be honest.

Final score: 2-0.

There appear to be murmurs of a title challenge for Celtic, in the form of this current Aberdeen side. Undoubtedly they have one of the stronger squads outside Parkhead, if not the strongest.

With St. Mirren in the League Cup quarter finals on Tuesday night, chances of some silverware seem higher than usual. No Aberdeen fan wants to jinx perfectly realistic ambitions, though most surely salivate at the thought of reaching at least one semi-final this season.

Wait, scrap that. Make that one final this season. Maybe they’ll be drawn against ‘Rangers’ at some point, too. A victory at Ibrox, a cup paraded on an open-top bus down Union Street…

Second place in the league. Really?

When you’ve got a good thing going, perhaps being too ambitious is a recipe for disaster. Modesty, never underestimating your opponent, and application are key!

No Place like Home: Dons 2 Hibs 1

Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport No Responses »

Sep 302012

Andrew Watson celebrates a victory at Pittodrie.

I was still devouring my Smarties cookie ( not courtesy of Todder’s rip-off refreshments counter … my pal, meanwhile, mid-bite, had a Pittodrie Pie in his moo – watch out, Angus!), having barely sat down, when Aberdeen opened the scoring against vistors Hibernian.

Vernon, fresh from proving his worth as ‘super sub’ with a late winner at East End Park in the League Cup earlier this week, sensed blood; looking set to beat the keeper – and was thwarted. But not to worry, Niall McGinn slotted home the rebound!

1-0 …

… sorry, still rustling my sweetie wrappers!

As an aside to the proceedings, and having returned to the Merkland Stand after a one game stint in the Dick Donald monolith, the atmosphere on our patch was loud.

Kids! At least they do you proud, chanting in remarkably broad Doric (as if the chest couldn’t heave heartily enough), “Aberdeen!” as fervently as the Kincorth youth used to – apparently – extol the virtues of the Labour Party on the streets at election time (the SNP sensing, over the course of time, that support for independence was improving as the stones thrown their way got smaller).

Hopefully their dedication, as young troops of the Red Army, wills on the weary legs of our industrious young midfield maverick Fraser, who took the sort of hiding you’d expect to result in a straight red card.

Ah well, yellow better than nothing. Needless to say, that very challenge was probably the reason for Fraser’s second half exit, replaced by Irishman Magennis after fifty-four minutes.

However, having managed to restrict my naming of Motherwell players to just one famous son last weekend, an earlier instance, in the thirty-third minute, necessitates a mention for one particular Hibee.

Striker Eoin Doyle’s goal, hammered into the net from twenty-two yards catching goalkeeping League Cup hero Langfield unawares, courtesy of a deft turn that left Reynolds in the shade of the South Stand, is something to behold. You might catch it on the BBC website, if you’re … ahem … sadomasochistic enough to want to watch it!

1-1

Some tense stuff, at both ends, before the end of the first, and commencement of the second, half.

About fourteen minutes into the last forty-five, with Fraser swapped for Magennis, Aberdeen were now pressing for a second, decisive goal.

The added physical bulk (as tough a mite midfielder Fraser is) in the last third was hopefully going to be the difference between half-chances and a winning goal. Ideally ‘goals’ plural – but hey, we’ll take anything at this point!

After some hard work, and some hairy moments in the ‘wrong’ half, Magennis unlocked a besieged, but stubborn Hibs defence with a low cross scrambled into the net by Gavin Rae after seventy-one minutes.

2-1!

A subsequent substitution for the Hibees five minutes later also threatened to make an impact upon the score-line, again in the ‘wrong’ half!

Reynolds, at fault for Doyle’s super strike, caught wasting time claiming offside, redeemed himself with a fine goal line clearance – Langfield having been already beaten.

The welcome return of midfielder Milsom, in for Vernon at the ninetieth minute, added padding to the middle of the park, stifling Hibs in typical Aberdeen fashion. That being not very well, sometimes!

Credit where credit’s due, the backline of Anderson, Reynolds, Jack and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – Considine, availed themselves for the majority of the game.

However Langfield, at one point totally exposed by lax marking, must have counted his, albeit mixed, blessings when a Hibs ‘hotshot’ proceeded to blooter the ball well over the bar. Rugby, anyone?”

Final score: 2-1.

So, Craig Brown has achieved a winning display at home. Unusually enough, a home win has proven more elusive than an away win with points taken from St Johnstone a few weeks earlier. We did it!

One can’t help but feel – how shall we put it – guarded optimism about this team and the season ahead. Hopefully a League, or Scottish, Cup Final? The tenacity is there to progress and winning ugly seems to me, on the whole, to be a good sign. Hopefully, moreover, we’ll get some silverware?

Second place in the league, too?

Definitely getting ahead of myself!

Aberdeen 3 Motherwell 3 – Pittodrie Stadium 23/09/12

Aberdeen City, Sport No Responses »

Sep 242012

Had he not envisaged covering this game for Aberdeen Voice, Andrew Watson would have perhaps not bothered staying until the end of the game!

All in all it was thrilling to watch – particularly the last ten minutes or so.

Having handed out leaflets prior to the game, in support of the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), my pal and I, far from the comfort of our seats in the Merkland Stand, found ourselves with fellow pamphleteers in the lower tier of the Dick Donald Stand.

The view was better than usual, and we were treated to an early goal, initiated by Hayes, and delivered by Gavin Rae.

We had barely taken our seats when Rae glanced a beautifully manoeuvred header into the bottom-right corner of the Motherwell goal, after about six minutes. 1-0.

The banter (abuse) in the Dick Donald was markedly better than the Merkland, as Motherwell soaked up early pressure, courtesy of the our wee marauding midfield maestro, Fraser; seemingly willing, these days, to put himself where it hurts and come back for more.

The defensive fare from the Steelmen was nothing short of the fisticuffs you’d maybe see at a heavy metal concert, and our fellow Dons fans seemed more than keen to get on the pitch themselves and act as minder for Fraser. We all know he’ll need one to remain injury-free for the rest of the season.

Even Clangers Clangfield, without his redoubtable Dunfermline mentor Tinkerbell Blunderwood to act as foil for his occasional stupidity, got a foot in the midriff for his trouble, after quite rightly soaking up a Motherwell advance with surprisingly firm hands.

Would he spill the milk later on, in spite of such noted bravery? Surely not…yeah, maybe. Yes. Yes, he would.

Anyway, back to the banter: Tom Hately, son of Rangers legend Mark, seemed telepathically willed to fluff his corner by large sections of the home support; loudly reminding him, rightly or wrongly, of his lineage to a certain Germanic emperor of days gone by, forename Attila.

Did the ball even get onto the pitch when struck? Your erstwhile reporter here, though never engaging in such horrid antics, admittedly giggled with glee.

Not being a Motherwell fan, the game from this point onwards wasn’t exactly pretty (pretending to be Arsenal, passing it into the net, would come later) or funny. Aberdeen barely held together as the Fir Park natives rampaged through Pittodrie’s so-called defensive stalwarts, a la Anderson and company; the last in line, holding fort…and failing miserably.

1-1.

Half-time, and the only respite was the Aberdeen youth team parading their trophy on the touchline to muted applause and little fanfare. When will we see the sight for, ahem, real, ? You can’t help but ask.

Second half.

1-2, after three minutes.

1-3, after another, torturous, thirty-four minutes. Cue mass exodus from Pittodrie.

Sticking around ‘cos I’m a true red, ken? To be honest, I can’t say I’d much faith. Never mind, this is where it gets kind of interesting.

2-3, TWO minutes later! Who said hope dies when you watch Aberdeen? Niall McGinn making a perfect comeback as super sub! Good man.

Wait, maybe, perhaps … impetus gained. Petering. Petering. Gone.

…

…..

Impetus regained. Free kick. Last kick of the ball. Shot. Saved. Rebound.

…….

Magennis, you’re a defender. And today, a bad one at that!

GOAL!

3-3

Josh Magennis, you beauty!

Perhaps manager Craig Brown has silenced his critics today with this goal-scoring display. Yet taking Vernon off, our poaching talisman, but not exactly a lone striker in the mould of Wayne Rooney – nor Lionel Messi! – was his best tactical shift of the ninety minutes.

However, early on, we looked set to win the game easily. Realistically, alternately, this was Motherwell, riding high in pole position, and being 1-0 up wasn’t exactly a fair representation of the game after the initial first fifteen minutes or so. We did well to come back from a two-goal deficit, which was very un-Aberdeen.

A draw, one which we didn’t really deserve, snatched from the jaws of defeat?

Oh well, it is Aberdeen we’re talking about here!

Resolutions Carried, Revolution Not On Agenda

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Featured, Information, Sport No Responses »

Dec 212011

A £15m debt? Plans to move to new premises that have not convinced the customers and neighbours? Under-performing product? Surely such an organisation’s AGM would see calls for change at the top, summary dismissals, a new financial model? Normally yes, but this is football where normal capitalist business practice is forgotten. David Innes reports from the Dons AGM held on Monday 19 December.

This was, Chairman Stewart Milne declared, the 108th AGM of Aberdeen Football Club. It is the sixteenth of these since the first major share issue of 1996, but whereas the 1996 meeting had to be held in the Capitol to accommodate the hundreds who attended, the 108th meeting quorum was comfortably contained in just one half of Pittodrie’s Europa Lounge.

The systemic stuff, in the form of seven resolutions, was over in a trice. The three directors – Messrs Fraser, Little and Matheson – retiring by rotation were re-elected without opposition, the appointment of two new directors in Colin Welsh and Ian Jack were ratified and the boring accounts drollery was nodded through.

So, to the main course and questions from the floor.

As expected, directors were asked for information on views on debt, Loirston, public relations, the team’s under-achievement, the onfield disciplinary record and the possibility of introducing standing sections in the new build.

There is still an admitted funding gap in the budget for relocation, but we were assured that the bank-demanded milestones relating to this were achievable and that initial construction work was expected to start, on target, in April 2012. The funding needed for the new ground will not affect the football budget which Craig Brown publicly admitted was the fourth best in the SPL and certainly less than his budget when he was Motherwell manager.

On the £2.5m loan extended to the club by the companies run by Milne and fellow director Hugh Little, the latter was blunt in his assessment. This loan, he said, helped Aberdeen retain its football budget at planned levels whilst income had not reached targets, in a time when rivals in Dundee, Edinburgh and elsewhere are cutting theirs.

He mentioned administration as a consequence of living beyond a club’s means. One imagines he had in mind Motherwell’s administration which now sees them in a European place in the SPL, having paid only a percentage of its creditors’ bills post-administration, with morally-suspect consequences for local suppliers. Or perhaps he was thinking of Hearts, where currently payment of staff wages seems to be a monthly option rather than a contractual obligation.

negative press and broadcast publicity from certain media outlets and individuals was difficult to counter

The manager told shareholders that if there were complaints about performance and league position, they should be addressed to him, as the board had accepted his every request for stretching the bounds of his budget, including the recruitment of full backs a year ago and the signings of Chalali, Fallon and Gonzalez.

The responsibility, quite clearly, was his.

On disciplinary issues, nobody disputed his analysis of the sendings off to date in 2011-12. He admitted that his orders to players not to appeal decisions may have cost them dearly and that referees may well “mistake kindness for softness”. Willie Miller conceded that football has radically changed in terms of tackling since he was the nemesis of strikers and that referees were now almost unable to leave unpenalised a “hard but fair tackle”. The big girlies.

The directors and manager agreed too that negative press and broadcast publicity from certain media outlets and individuals was difficult to counter but that the only alternative is to improve the playing record.

That sums it up. Whether or not they are shareholders, fans are only interested in the so-called “football operation”, business-speak for “fitba”. Home games can be held in surroundings replicating the Nou Camp or the old Linksfield, but we don’t care as long as the Reds are fighting like young tigers for the cause we share. We could have the best or worst corporate facilities in the whole of Scotland and it matters not a whit if we’re scoring one more than our opponents.

That was best illustrated by the largely-unexpected easy ride given to those in charge. We’ve just beaten St Johnstone and Hibs and have the good old collective sense of injustice on our side again, following some rather rum refereeing decisions.

Football fans don’t ask for much more, but one wonders if next year the club’s custodians will get it so easy if results remain the same and stadium development and other “non-football operation” activity takes over as priority.

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