03/12/2002
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Aberdeen |
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0 - 1 |
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Kilmarnock |
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| Kick Off:
7:45 PM |
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McSwegan (66) |
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| Attendance: 8,816 (Visitors: 174)
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| Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen |
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| Dons get those home sick blues |
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 Only 8,816 people braved the cold Aberdeen night to watch this SPL encounter. By the end of the match many will have regretted the decision as the Dons turned in another poor Pittodrie performance. There was little stylish football on show and the game was decided in the 66th minute when Gary McSwegan steered a Canero cross beyond the helpless Preece. Aberdeen huffed and puffed after this, but never looked like saving the game.
Kilmarnock enjoyed the lion's share of the possession in the opening five minutes, but the closest they got to Preece was when Canero took advantage of a Tiernan slip. Fortunately McGuire was able to mop up any danger. Kilmarnock won the first corner of the match in the 8th minute, but a foul on Preece halted the attack and a minute later the Dons won their first corner, but Deloumeaux failed to get his delivery beyond the first defender. His second attempt, three minutes later, was more successful as McGuire's looping header went wide of the target.
Kilmarnock should have taken the lead in the 14th minute when McSwegan broke on the right and delivered the perfect cross for the onrushing McLaren. Fortunately for the Dons the ball bounced off of the Kilmarnock man's knee and rolled harmlessly wide. In the 20th minute McGuire found himself bursting out of defence before delivering a tempting cross for Mackie. However Marshall was smartly off his line to collect.
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 We were treated to a rare piece of goalmouth action in the 26th minute when Michie broke on the left and his cross was cut back into the path of Deloumeaux. Unfortunately a wall of Killie defenders blocked his fierce drive. A minute later a poor Mackie cross almost sneaked into the far corner of the net. In the 36th minute Garry Hay picked up the first yellow card of the evening for taking Darren Mackie out of the game. Two minutes later Shaun Dillon collected the second, but in between these cautions Aberdeen had their best chance of the first half when Darren Young hit a fierce shot inches wide.
D'Jaffo had the ball in the net in the 40th minute, but not before he had been flagged offside. The game then stuttered towards half time with little happening on the field of play.
Kilmarnock started the second half with more purpose and forced an early corner, which the Dons scrambled clear. The pattern of play followed that of the first half as passes went astray and both sides struggled to create anything of note. After 53 minutes Leon Mike replaced D'Jaffo in an effort to ignite some action. The Dons won a free kick 35 yards out, but McAllister's effort deflected off the wall before Marshall scurried along the bye line to prevent the corner.
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 The Dons were improving and Michie went close in the 61st minute as Marshall was forced to tip an ambitious effort over the bar. Two minutes later Rutkiewicz got beyond the visitors defence and delivered a telling cross, but Referee Fyfe spotted an infringement and the chance was gone. Muirhead replaced Tiernan in the 65th minute and a minute later Kilmarnock took the lead.
Gary McSwegan was left in splendid isolation to steer a Canero cross beyond a helpless Preece. Aberdeen then made their final substitution, introducing Billio in place of Scott Michie. The goal stung the Dons into action as they tried to break down the resolute Killie defence. Unfortunately the guile and composure wasn't there and this looked a shadow of the side that had rallied against Rangers last month.
Kevin Rutkiewicz had the chance to earn a draw in the 87th minute when he was put clear. Unfortunately he hesitated and by the time he released his shot, Marshall was well positioned to save.
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Aberdeen Teamsheet:
Preece, Rutkiewicz, McAllister, McGuire, Anderson, Young, Tiernan (Muirhead 65), Deloumeaux, Michie (Billio 70), Mackie, D'Jaffo (Mike 53).
Unused Subs:
Bookings: |
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Kilmarnock Teamsheet:
Marshall, Shields, Locke, McLaren, Fulton, Dargo, Mahood, Canero, Hay, McSwegan, Dillon
Unused Subs: Di Giacomo for Dargo(89), Fowler for McSwegan(89), Boyd for McLaren(90)
Bookings:  Hay (36), Dillon (38), McLaren (63)
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| Referee: |
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Ian Fyfe |
| Related Links: |
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