Motherwell 5 - 1 Aberdeen

A heavily depleted Aberdeen Under 18 side were condemned to a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Motherwell on Tuesday afternoon, after four first half goals for the hosts had the game virtually over by half time before Blair McKenzie was sent off in the second period and the 'Well added another before Brendan Hamilton got one back as the game wound down.
Aberdeen were without Findlay Marshall for the trip to Lanarkshire with the midfielder away with Scotland at the Under 17's European Championships in Hungary. Going forward the Young Dons remained without the attacking trio of Alfie Bavidge, Liam Harvey and Lewis Pirie, Fraser Mackie came in from the Under 16's for his first involvement with Scott Anderson's side. There was also a debut for Reuben Smillie in-between the sticks, the former Blackpool youth goalie took the place of Rodrigo Vitols, who dropped to the bench.
Lastly, there was changes to the backline: Finlay Murray and Timi Fatona came in, Jamie Mercer and Victor Enem those who made way.

Before two minutes was even on the clock Motherwell were ahead. Aberdeen were unable to clear their lines with the ball ricocheting into the path of Mark Ferrie, who was able to take the ball round Smillie and pass into the empty net for the opener.
After 13 minutes it was 2-0. McKenzie's headed back pass was intercepted by Ferrie, with Smillie delaying the centre forward couldn't believe his luck as he towered in on goal, he finished comfortably.
Aberdeen's chances going forward were limited. Cammy Wilson looked most likely to half the deficit; his shot wound up in the side netting after a positive run which left the Motherwell defence on their heels.
Up the other end, Ferrie completed his hat-trick as Motherwell added a third goal. The centre forward controlled a freekick from deep and was able to volley high and past the helpless Smillie. Even if the striker was given too much time and space inside the box, it was an impressive finish.
With five minutes of the half remaining Motherwell added a fourth goal through Dylan Wells from the penalty spot. Smillie guessed right and got a hand to it but was unable to keep the ball out.
Half-Time: Motherwell 4 Aberdeen 0.

At the interval Lewis Carrol was introduced with Finlay Murray, who was on a booking after an early yellow card, coming off.
Mackie was unlucky not to grab a goal after he rose highest to meet Timi Fatona's cross, his header was powerful but Josh Bogan made a strong diving save to keep his clean sheet intact.
With just under 20 minutes left McKenzie was shown a second yellow card, with the latter for a handball inside the penalty box. With an already stretched Aberdeen side down to ten men Richard Tambwe stepped up for Motherwell to make it 5-0 and pile on further misery for the Young Dons but Smillie produced a fine save, before getting back up in time to block the rebound.
It didn't take long for Motherwell to find a fifth goal. Arran Bone headed in from a corner just minutes after Aberdeen went down to ten men.
With a few minutes remaining Aberdeen grabbed a consolation goal through Brendan Hamilton, the Northern Irish youth international met Alfie Stewart's cross from a corner to power a header past Bogan.
An extremely disappointing afternoon for the Under 18's on the road as their league campaign begins to wind to a close. Attentions turn to a trip to Hibernian on Friday night for the penultimate game of the season.