Queen of the South 0 - 5 Aberdeen
HT Score: Queen of the South 0 - 2 Aberdeen
23/09/2019 | KO: 14:00
Young Dons Impress at Palmerston
Report by Andrew Shinie
After kicking off their group with a fine 4-1 win against Ross County last month, the Dons were fancied to make it two wins out of two as they faced a Queens side who had lost heavily to St Johnstone in their opening tie.
Paul Sheerin's side lined up with Sam Jackson in goal, behind a back four of Lloyd Robertson, Luc Bollan, Luke Turner and Jack Mackenzie. Connor Barron and Seb Ross were in central midfield flanked by Ethan Ross and Chris Antoniazzi with Michael Ruth supporting David Dangana up top.
Former Don Michael Paton was included in the home starting eleven.
Aberdeen took possession of the ball from the kick-off and didn't give Queens a touch for almost two minutes when keeper Burns saved from Ethan Ross. On eight minutes, Jackson saved well with his feet to deny Frenchman Luissint.
Breaking from the corner Seb Ross fed his brother Ethan who forced a diving save from Burns.
The Dons should have been a goal up on 18 minutes when Ruth turned the ball in from the edge of the six-yard box, but he was deemed offside despite it appearing he was at least a yard behind the last defender.
Queens responded well and Paton forced a fine save from Jackson as he fired in a powerful twenty yard effort.
Ethan Ross was causing the home defence lots of problems and a foul on him by Paton led to the veteran picking up a yellow card. The Dons had forced six corners by the half hour mark but hadn't been able to make one count.
Dangana almost played Ruth in for a shot at goal but the ball just wouldn't run for the former Queens Park man. Aberdeen were playing all the football in the match but just couldn't get their rewards.
McCarthy was booked nine minutes from the break for a foul on Ethan Ross and when the free kick came to Barron, he delivered a fine left-footed delivery for Ruth to head powerfully past Burns. Justice for Michael after his earlier goal had been ruled out erroneously by the assistant referee.
Barron became the game's third booking a minute later after a hefty challenge in midfield.
Right on the stroke of half time, an Antoniazzi corner from the right was turned past Burns by Luc Bollan to put a more realistic sheen on the scoreline after an opening forty five which had seen the young Dons dominant.
Half time - Queen of the South Reserves 0 Aberdeen Reserves 2
Lyon had Jackson scrambling across his goal on 48 minutes, but the midfielder's shot went just wide. Ethan Ross sent Ruth through on goal, but a Queens defender got in a vital block to deflect the shot wide.
From the corner flighted in by Antoniazzi Luc Bollan powered a header past Burns to make it three nil after 54 minutes, a second goal for the big centre back.
Jack Chesser and Max Barry replaced Seb Ross and Barron on the hour mark and Barry's first involvement saw him deliver a fine cross which Bollan headed on to the post - so close to a hat-trick.
On 63 minutes it was four, Chris Antoniazzi firing the ball through the keeper's legs from ten yards. A third goal in a week for Canto, after strikes against Huddersfield Reserves and for Cove Rangers at Elgin.
Lewis Duncan and Kieran Shanks, who scored for the Under 18s on Friday, came on for the last quarter of the game as Antoniazzi and Dangana were withdrawn after weekend sub appearances for Cove Rangers and Stranraer respectively.
Shortly after, Tyler Mykyta entered the fray replacing Ruth and he should have made it five after being set up by Ethan Ross, his shot slipping just wide.
Ethan Ross brought a fine save from Burns after a foul on the wee man had seen Summerbee booked. Aberdeen were totally in control of the match and Burns produced heroics again to deny Ross as the clock edged towards ninety minutes.
With three minutes remaining, a magnificent ball from Mykyta saw Shanks touch the ball past the keeper to make it a nap hand despite home protests that the striker had been in an offside position when the pass was played.
Queens had battled hard but were outclassed by the Dons whose next Cup match will be against St Johnstone at Cove next month.
Full time - Queen of the South Reserves 0 Aberdeen Reserves 5
"It was a pretty even game at 0-0 and probably more open than I would have liked, in terms of being end to end. Their number 10 (Luissint) was giving us a few problems with his positioning. Our centre backs were letting Connor Barron or Seb Ross mark him but I felt they could have thrown them out of there and been a bit more adventurous with the press. But once we sorted that we did very well.
"Some of our play was very pleasing on the eye.
"We could have been a bit more clinical around the 18-yard box but in the main, up to half time our forward play was very good and we were quite disciplined within our shape which was pleasing. The goals were excellent on top of that as well."
The goals
"For the first goal it is a brilliant ball in by Connor Barron initially for the first goal from the free kick and then he goes and backs that up with a great ball in for Michael to score. The first cross was his right foot and the second his left. His range of passing is so good. It was a good header from Michael, it was good to see him in the middle of the goal.
"We had two strikers up front (Michael Ruth and David Dangana) and it was good old-fashioned striker play at times. The way they linked up was very pleasing.
"Then Luc Bollan added a couple of goals and I was delighted for him, getting on the end of the corners from Chris. Luc was also really unlucky with an effort that hit the post.
"Queen of the South then changed it at half time and went to a diamond shape and put more bodies in the middle of the park which made it a bit more frantic. The pleasing aspect was standing up to that at 2-0. We then get a third goal which dents them a wee bit and we are able to enjoy the game from then on in."
Chris Antoniazzi
"Chris has now scored three goals this week, two for us and one for Cove on Saturday. It is something we have spoken about and something he needs to add to his game. Some of his work, such as when he comes inside and links the play in very very good so for him to add goals to his game is massive really.
"Hopefully he will continue to get an opportunity at Cove and then he can top up his minutes with us and we will certainly reap the benefits of that."
The U18s
"For the last goal two of the substitutes, both U18 players linked up well with Tyler Mykyta crossing for Kieran Shanks. Kieran has now scored in his last two games after netting on Friday for the 18s.
"Tyler was flying in pre-season but then got a shoulder injury which was disappointing. I thought he was outstanding on Friday for the 18s and like Connor his range of passing is very good. He looks for runs beyond and Shanks invited him to play the pass. More often than not Tyler will find his man if you are willing to move. It is a great ball and Shanks produces a very good touch. So pleased with that goal as well.
"Tyler's left foot is really cultured, I would let him win that battle with me! He is also a bit more mobile!!
"His range of passing is great and he sees things. When I watched him on Friday he absolutely dictated the whole football match against Hearts. He deserved his little opportunity today and they have to keep taking these opportunities. Tyler, Kieran and Lewis Duncan all did that this afternoon and Connor Barron is absolutely flying.
"So it is pleasing that these younger ones are pushing the reserve squad as well."
Brentford
"As I mentioned last week it is refreshing to have a different opposition and to come up against a team playing a different way.
"Again like the Huddersfield game it is a bit of the unknown but the boys responded to that last week really well and that result will have given them a lift.
"I keep harping on about the shape of the team and we are showing real discipline at the moment.
"The like of Ethan Ross and Chris Antoniazzi, it is maybe not natural to them and you are asking them to maybe do things they are not used to - for example play a bit narrower when we are defending the ball then break in our shape when we get it back and they have been doing that really well. That is pleasing from a coach's point of view.
"Yes it is a different test, yes it is an unknown, but another challenge that we will relish on Sunday."
Burns, McKie, Newbould, McCarthy (Douglas 76), Gordon (C), Summerbee, Paton (Potts 76), Lyon (Florence 76), Irving, Luissint (McMahon 64), Vezza (McMonagle 64) Unused substitutes:- Sheppard, Ferguson (GK)
Bookings:
Paton 26, McCarthy 36, Summerbee 83.
Referee: Ross Hardie
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen AB24 5QH