Aberdeen 2 - 0 Dundee United

The Young Dons returned to League action following last week's postponement as they welcomed Dundee United to Forfar. When the sides last met, Paul Sheerin's kids ran out comfortable 3-1 winners and they would start favourites again with the Tannadice second string languishing at the foot of the table with only four League wins to their name all season.
Striker Bruce Anderson was suspended after his red card against Celtic, while the injury picked up by skipper Dean Campbell at Cappielow ruled him out. David Dangana wore the number nine shirt while top scorer Seb Ross had the captain's armband.
Ethan Ross had the first effort on goal after two minutes forcing Donaldson into a fine diving save at his near post. From the resulting corner, the ball was played to Seb Ross who played a delightful ball into the box for Sam Roscoe to power a header high into the right-hand corner of the net. A fine start for the Dons and a fourth goal of the season from big Sam who is enjoying a very consistent campaign.
Aberdeen were knocking the ball around nicely and had a good shout for a penalty on 13 minutes when Seb Ross was bundled over in the box, but the referee waved play on. United's youngsters were struggling to make any impression, but they fashioned an opening down the left on 17 minutes but Inglis' header from Ritchie's cross flew over. Midway through the half a fine move down the left saw Dangana play Ethan Ross in but Donaldson touched his angled effort past the post. Seconds later a dangerous ball across the face of goal from Danny Harvie was inches out of the reach of Seb Ross as the Dons pushed for a second goal.
Harvie should have made it two on 26 minutes but he directed his header from Ethan Ross' corner just wide of the left-hand post. Donaldson produced a great save to deny Ethan Ross on 28 minutes after good work from McLennan and Dangana created the opening. Dangana then fired wide after fine work on the left from Antoniazzi. Aberdeen were in complete control of the game, the only surprise being they only had one goal to show for their efforts. Joe MacPherson made a great interception just inside the United half and strode forward to hit a fine thirty yard shot which Donaldson dived to his right to knock away. With eight minutes left of the first half, David Craddock was forced into his first save of the game tipping a decent effort from Ward over the bar.
Chris Antoniazzi came within a whisker of making it two in the 41st minute, racing into the box after Harvie had flicked on a long Craddock clearance but his left footed effort fizzed a couple of inches wide of the post. Miko Virtanen took a blow to the face a couple of minutes before the break and had to come off for treatment leaving the Dons to see out the half a man light. The lively Antoniazzi almost burst clear but United closed ranks at the back to see off the danger. A dominant first half from the Dons but, with only a single goal lead, the game was still in the balance. United's star man was undoubtedly keeper Josh Donaldson who had made several good saves to deny the Aberdeen attack.

Half time Aberdeen 1 Dundee United 0

Virtanen was able to resume for the second half and his forcing run almost created an opening for Dangana. Another fine attack ended with McLennan firing narrowly over from the edge of the area as Aberdeen started the second period very much on the front foot. A wonderful ball from MacPherson sent Ethan Ross scurrying down the right but his cross was narrowly out of the reach of both his brother Seb and David Dangana.
Aberdeen deservedly made it 2-0 on 57 minutes. A wonderful run down the right saw Seb Ross evade two challenges before firing the ball across for younger brother Ethan to rattle the ball into the net from eight yards. That's four goals in his last three games for Ethan who will join up with Scotland's Under 17s in Greece later this month. His uncle, former world squash champion Peter Nicol, was a very interested spectator at the game today.

United made a change on 62 minutes introducing Glass in place of Jones. Dangana picked up a yellow card on 65 minutes after a challenge on United skipper Davidson, rather a harsh decision as it was David's first foul in the game. A foul on McLennan led to Inglis being booked as the game went into its final quarter. McMeekin came on for Martin as United coach Dave Bowman tried to stem the tide of Aberdeen attacks. A powerful run from McLennan saw the Dons man run almost seventy yards before firing a powerful shot over the United bar. A terrific sixty-yard pass from Virtanen picked out the run of Dangana but Donaldson again saved well with his feet to deny the Dons striker before the keeper saved well again from Antoniazzi.
Miko, had missed the Youth Cup win against Ross County when he was on Under 19s duty with Finland was having a fine game in the centre of midfield. Ritchie became the game's third booking on 77 minutes after a clumsy foul on McLennan. Harvie came off aa minute later to be replaced by Toby Wells. United, who only had three substitutes, replaced Zata with Graham on 82 minutes while Tyler Alexander came on for Antoniazzi in the Aberdeen ranks.
Seb Ross came close again with a neat header before United's Ward curled an effort narrowly wide. Ethan Ross fired a late free kick just over then Craddock was forced into a rare save by United sub Glass. While the attackers had done their bit to ensure victory, David was determined to keep a seventh clean sheet. Toby Wells nearly caught the keeper out at his near post with a cute free-kick but the final whistle blew with the Young Dons very comfortable 2-0 winners.

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