Aberdeen 2 - 0 Rangers

This was the ultimate game of two halves with the difference being that Aberdeen took their chances and Rangers didn't. After a very even opening half hour Ferne Snoyl set up Jamie Smith for the opener in the 34th minute. When Steve Lovell added a second two minutes from break the Dons were playing some inspired football. The visitors then dominated the second half but they missed chance after chance due to some stout defending and some very poor finishing. With both Inverness and Motherwell dropping points Aberdeen now move closer to the top six.

Rangers kicked off but Prso was immediately penalised for a challenge on Russell Anderson. Neither side settled in the opening minutes as the game started at a terrific pace. Aberdeen forced the first corner in the 8th minute when a Snoyl cross was deflected wide. Smith delivered deep but the ball was easily cleared. Two minutes later Snoyl got on the end of a Nicholson cross but he steered the ball wide under pressure from Ricksen. Rangers then threatened in the 12th minute when Burke won a free kick wide right, but Lovenkrands delivery was poor.

Two minutes later Aberdeen threatened down the right when Nicholson's first cross was blocked then Severin delivered and Smith headed over. A minute later Smith was found free on the right but his cut back failed to find a colleague in the middle. At the other end Malcolm had a wild shot at goal then in the 18th minute Rangers won their first corner after Boyd was given too much space and nodded the ball down before it was scrambled clear. A minute later Langfield made a terrific block after Prso was given a glimpse of goal.

In the 24th minute Rangers dallied at the back and Kevin McNaughton nipped in cut inside but fired over from 25 yards. A minute later Smith set up Snoyl but Kyriakos blocked his shot from the edge of the box. Boyd almost escaped the Dons defence in the 27th minute but fortunately he fired wide as the snow started to float down. On the half hour mark Prso was allowed to continue despite looking offside but he was crowded out then a minute later Aberdeen had a penalty claim when the ball appeared to hit the arm of Andrews. Within seconds Lovell was almost released by Smith but a timely interception cleared the ball. At the other end Rangers won a corner and Andrews went close as he headed over.

Aberdeen then grabbed the lead in the 34th minute and it was new signing Ferne Snoyl who set it up. He beat a couple of players on the left before he found Smith inside the box and the striker fired the ball past Waterreus. Aberdeen went on to dominate the remainder of the first half and were rewarded with a second goal in the 43rd minute. Scott Severin floated a free kick into the box and Anderson was first to get his head to the ball as he steered it into the path of Stevie Lovell who made no mistake from close range. This was surely one of the best 45 minutes of the season.

Rangers made a double substitution at half time as they looked to get back into the match and they won a corner in the 48th minute but Langfield claimed the ball well. They should have pulled one back two minutes later when Burke did well before Ferguson pulled his shot wide of the target. Rangers looked a lot livelier and a Burke cross caused problems again in the 52nd minute. Another passage of great passing play in the 55th minute ended with Ricksen firing high, much to the joy of the red army. A minute later Smith almost broke but Murray was quick to recover.

Then in the 57th minute Burke escaped again and set up Ferguson but once again the Rangers skipper headed wide. The pressure was really building now and Lovenkrands missed a real sitter on the hour mark. Poor defending allowed Buffel to break forward and set up the Dutchman for an easy chance. Incredibly he screwed the ball wide when it looked easier to score. A minute later Langfield made a terrific double save as the Dons continued to live dangerously. Then in the 65th minute Anderson made a magnificent tackle and looked to release Snoyl but it hit the referee and put the Dons back under pressure.

Foster replaced Snoyl a minute later and then won their first corner of the second half. It relieved the pressure but was easily defended. Mackie then replaced Lovell in the 73rd minute as Rangers started to build up pressure again. In the 76th minute Anderson made a great challenge on Lovenkrands, as he looked set to score. Jimmy decided it was now time to shut up shop and Diamond came on to replace MacFarlane. Three minutes later Murray took a dive inside the Dons box but referee Underhill was not interested. Some lovely one touch football between Clark and McNaughton in the 82nd minute almost carved out a chance but the ball was scrambled clear.

Rangers frustrations continued in the 84th minute when Prso set up Burke and he looked sure to score but fired the ball into the side netting. A minute later Anderson made another magnificent challenge to deny Lovenkrands a certain goal. This had been a hard fought match but it wasn't until the 88th minute that the referee produced a yellow card when Prso was booked for persistent fouling. Foster was then booked for a late challenge on Buffel. The Rangers player lifted his hand to Foster but escaped punishment. Burke was then booked in the closing minutes for throwing the ball away in frustration.

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Match Stats:

		Dons	Gers
Goal Attempts		4	7
On Target		2	2
Corners		2	5
Possession		54%	46%

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