Tim reserves 1-1 Dons reserves

[mizer]

A strong looking Aberdeen side drew 1-1 this evening with reserve league leaders Celtic at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie. The Dons dominated for large sections of the game after the home side were reduced to 10 men. However it was Celtic who took the lead through McCourt midway through the second half - completely against the run of play. The goal though spurred the Dons on and they got a deserved equaliser minutes later. Jeffrey de Visscher finished off a fine move involving Sone Aluko and Chris Maguire. Aberdeen pressed for the winner but had to settle for a point.

 

John Bateman came into the side in goals to replace the injured Bossu who picked up an injury in training. 

 

After a fairly even opening period Celtic were reduced to 10 men just before the half hour mark. Simon Ferry hauled down Tommy Wright and as he was the last man referee Stephen Allan had no choice but to send him off. From the resulting free kick Chris Maguire hit a superb shot but it hit the bar.

 

Although the Dons were dominating possession, Celtic still had one or two chances. Bateman made an excellent save from a Ben Hutchison header.

 

After the break the Dons continued to dominate the game but then completely against the run of play Celtic took the lead. On 63 minutes Paddy McCourt made a strong run through a number of defenders before passing the ball into the bottom right hand corner from about 15 yards, giving Bateman no chance. Although it was a excellent goal, Sandy Clark will not have been pleased with the defending. Chris Maguire

 

The Dons however equalised only two minutes later. Sone Aluko played the ball up to Chris Maguire who chested it down into the path of Jeffrey de Visscher who finished well from 10 yards. The Dutchman had a superb first half and although he faded a bit in the second period he thoroughly deserved his goal.

 

Aberdeen continued to push forward and although they had a lot of the ball and were able to force a number of corners they did not create too many clear cut openings. Mark Brown made a good save from a Mulgrew free kick but that was about a close as the Dons came to getting a winner.

 

As well as de Visscher, Charlie Mulgrew looked good throughout playing in a midfield role. Chris Maguire put in a good shift but Jared Hodgkiss probably just shaded the man of the match. Another very impressive performance from the right back.

 

Sandy Clark Sandy Clark spoke to RedWeb after the game. "I was very pleased with the effort and commitment from the boys. It was just frustrating we could not break them down. It was a game we probably should have won but only took a point. Give credit to Celtic though, they reorganised when they went down to ten men and defended well, and at the same time still gave us a few problems."

 

"There were a lot of positives to take from the game. We played Charlie Mulgrew in a different position in the centre of midfield and he did well. John Bateman came into the side and put in a good performance. From a fitness point of view Andrew Considine got 90 minutes under his belt, as did Tommy Wright. Sone also got 90 minutes which he probably still needs at moment."

 

Team: Bateman, Hodgkiss, Stu Smith, McDonald, Crawford, Considine, de Visscher, Mulgrew, Wright, Maguire, Aluko

 

Subs: Bain, Clark, Pawlett, Stir Smith, Holm

 

Good to see Bateman getting a game, as Bossu is mice and should never play for us again.

[???]

Good to see Bateman getting a game, as Bossu is mice

 

You sound cheesed off about something?

[BobbyBiscuit]

You sound cheesed off about something?

 

Stop taking the Mickey.

[Sharpie]

Good to see Bateman getting a game, as Bossu is mice and should never play for us again.

 

I smell a rat.

[mizer]

I was just a whisker away from getting it right.

[manc_don]

According to one of the guys on MAD who went along to the game, everyone had a good game, bar our strikers. He said Maguire covered probably every blade of grass with no effect, and there was little surprise from Wright in regards to why Miller never breaks a sweat over his place in the team. He also said Hodgkiss and de Visscher linked up really well. Maybe he's the best way to get JDV playing well? Having an actual footballer behind him?

 

Anyway, good to see a few positives from the reserve team anyway.

[One Bobby Clark]

reserves?

 

That's almost the first team some weeks 

 

That's what I was thinking.

[sooth_stander]

Just watched the whole game on Sellic TV, and thought we knocked the ball about really well. Fairly strong AFC and not many first teamers in the Sellic team, but we moved the all around and with pace better than any of the first teams games that I've seen over the last season or two.

 

Was impressed with Stuart Smith at left back - pacey, good in the tackle and has a bit of dig about him.

 

JDV's goal was a carbon copy of the one he scored at Tynie last season.

 

Tommy Wright hardly seen, but if Maguire can keep up that type of perfromance, then he should be dislodging Mackie in the 1st team.

[BigAl]

Just watched the whole game on Sellic TV, and thought we knocked the ball about really well. Fairly strong AFC and not many first teamers in the Sellic team, but we moved the all around and with pace better than any of the first teams games that I've seen over the last season or two.

 

Was impressed with Stuart Smith at left back - pacey, good in the tackle and has a bit of dig about him.

 

JDV's goal was a carbon copy of the one he scored at Tynie last season.

 

Tommy Wright hardly seen, but if Maguire can keep up that type of perfromance, then he should be dislodging Mackie in the 1st team.

 

But we all know he won't as Mackie can do no wrong in JC's eyes