Motherwell 1 - 0 Aberdeen

Desire the terrible conditions both sides tried to play football in the early stages. On eight minutes the Dons were almost penalised for trying to play their way out of defence but the Motherwell striker slipped just as he looked to be through on goal.

On 13 minutes Lewis Duncan found some space for the first time but the defence managed to scramble back. Duncan then played a brilliant ball for Jack Chesser, the midfielder had space to run into, instead tried to catch the keeper out with an early shot but never got good enough contact.

The Youth Cup game between the sides was an extremely tight affair and this looked like being the same.

Despite playing into a strong wind the midfield trio of Barron, Chesser and Barry were starting to get on top and Aberdeen were enjoying slightly more of the possession without creating anything of note.

Just before the hour mark a neat pass by the impressive Well Winger put 7 in and when he rounded the keeper he looked certain to score but Conor Power somehow managed to get back and clear the ball off the line. The Motherwell centre forward then had a free kick beaten away confidently by Mair.

After that the home side dominated.

The Dons defence looked to have done enough to see the game out till half time but on 42 minutes the left back whipped in a cross which was headed home by Liam Motherwell at the back post.

Aberdeen did enjoy some pressure in the final minutes before the interval and after Motherwell failed to clear a Barron free kick, Chesser missed a great chance when his reaction header went inches over.

The second half continued to be quite even although the home side probably had the only real chances, when again they put over a couple of dangerous crosses from the left. Then the weather became horrendous as driving rain made it difficult for the players to get any real rhythm into the game and it became very stop start.

Finally Aberdeen produced some real urgency in the final 20 minutes and lifted the tempo.

Substitute Michael Dangana was causing problems and won three free kicks in good positions. Tyler Mykyta put two of them just over the bar and the other set peice was floated to the back post which found Luke Turner?s unmarked run, but the Irish Youth International could not get a touch.

The Dons needed a spark from somewhere and very nearly got it on 80 minutes.

Captain Connor Barron produced a superbly weighted long ball which found Lewis Duncan. The winger got on the front foot and comfortably beat his marker before squaring the ball for Dangana. The striker had time but snatched at his shot and pulled it wide of the target.

As Aberdeen pushed forward they were leaving gaps at the back and Archie Mair made a very good save when the Motherwell player was one on one with the big keeper.

In the final minute keeper Mair came up for an Aberdeen corner, their first of the game. Archie in fact got his head on the ball but could not direct his effort goalward and the referee blew for full time shortly after.

There was not much in the match but in the end the Motherwell young side battled hard throughout and Aberdeen paid the price for a slow start to the game.