Kilmarnock 4 - 1 Aberdeen

Despite taking an early lead Aberdeen Under 18’s were well beaten by a strong Kilmarnock side at Rugby Park on Friday afternoon by four goals to one.

There were two changes to the team that defeated a strong Hibs side at Cormack Park last Friday – Rodrigo Vitols was available again and returned in goal, and Christovie Kondolo came into the reshuffled starting XI. The Dons continued to travel light with just three outfield options named to call on from on the bench.

An early flashpoint saw Zander Craik bundled to the ground inside the area after a mix up at the back. To the relief of the Dons defence, play was waved on.

Despite the early half chance for Killie, it took Aberdeen less than five minutes to open the scoring in Ayrshire. It was Fletcher Boyd’s effort from the edge of the host’s penalty box that got the better of Dylan Brown and found its way into the back of the net. 0-1.



The young Dons did have a brief spell following the goal where they found themselves in the ascendency but ultimately it was a short-lived period. Cole Burke, who was attacking Aberdeen’s right-hand side looked lively and a real threat, his first attempt at goal narrowly sailed wide of the near post, before his second just a few minutes later produced a good save out of a full stretched Vitols, his defence scrambled the danger away from goal.

Just before the half hour mark Burke got his team level. His effort was on the angle and low, similar to the one that went abegging minutes prior, however this time it squeezed under Vitols. It was a bad goal for the young Dons too lose, with Elis Clark being shoved off the ball just seconds before the Kilmarnock winger took aim.

Aberdeen almost saw an instance response up the other end, Brendan Hamilton’s cross was met by the head of Boyd, but he was unable to generate the level of power needed from his arial effort, and it was comfortably saved.

On the 38th minute Kilmarnock scored again and pulled in front. With an in-swinging ball arriving from a corner kick Aberdeen failed to deal with the set piece and after the ball pin balled around the six-yard box it eventually was pushed over the line to make it 2-1 to Kilmarnock going into half time.



HT. Kilmarnock 2 Aberdeen 1.

Five minutes into the half Kilmarnock added a third goal, Daniel Devlin was alert and on hand to side foot a well worked move that resulted in a simple cut back into the back of the net.

Things went from bad to worse just minutes later after a hopeful long ball through the middle of the park was met by the galloping Craik, his physicality was too much for the Dons defence to deal with and he finished with aplomb to put his side 4-1 up.

Aberdeen was spared from conceding a fifth goal after Craik again found himself one on one with Vitols, this time the keeper stood tall and denied the forward.

With 20 minutes to play Cooper Masson came on in place of Elis Clark.



The afternoon got worse when Findlay Marshall was withdrawn through injury just a few minutes after the first change. Joseph Teasdale was introduced. With two minutes to go Fraser Mackie was replaced by Jack Searle at the top end of the pitch.

There was to be no more pain for the young Dons and the referee’s whistle ended up being a very welcome one after a difficult game on the road. Attentions now turn to a trip to Alliance Park in Bellshill next Friday to take on Caledonian Braves as Scott Anderson’s team look to bounce back and begin another Scottish Youth Cup campaign.