Scottish Premier League - Saturday 28th August 2010
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Aberdeen were brought back down to earth with a bump this afternoon as they slipped to a surprise home defeat to Kilmarnock. To make matters worse, the solitary goal came in the 92nd minute after a defensive mix-up.
The game was largely even, but the Dons never looked like scoring, while their opponents always did, creating the better chances of the match and taking a deserved three points.
Aberdeen started the brighter of the two sides; Magennis firing an early chance straight at the keeper after the Killie defence had failed to clear. In the eighth minute, some dodgy defending presented Magennis with a chance. The ex-Cardiff forward cut the ball back, but Pawlett and Maguire both went for it, resulting in neither of them getting it, as the defence did it’s job.
Kilmarnock had their first chance in the 10th minute. Dayton found himself in acres on the left and cut inside into the box, his shot though, was well blocked. Considine won his side a free kick in the 18th minute. Paul Hartley took it, sending a low, awkward ball into the box; keeper Bell fumbled it but did well to block the follow-up shot from McArdle.
The 19th minute brought another shot for the visitors. Jamie Hamill was given the freedom of Pittodrie as he waltzed down the right unchallenged. The Dons defence were awake though and his shot was blocked. Killie went close again in the 26th minute, when Dayton played a dangerous free kick into the box. It just needed a touch, but bounced all the way through for a goal kick.
In the 33rd minute, Magennis flicked a long ball on to Mackie, who took a superb first touch and looked set to score before Hamill made a great challenge to save Kilmarnock. Five minutes later, Conor Sammon was put through on goal. The striker’s low effort somehow went through Howard and was going in until McArdle stepped in to clear off the line.
Sammon was proving dangerous, having scored a hat-trick on Wednesday in the cup, he was clearly looking to pick up where he left off. Just two minutes later, he was in again, a last-gasp Zander Diamond tackle ending the move this time. Half-time could not come soon enough for Aberdeen, who by this stage were struggling to string two passes together.
The Dons started the second half in improved fashion. Mackie did well in the 49th minute, losing three defenders and getting a shot away which was deflected behind. In the 53rd minute, Mackie was involved again. The Dons No10 met a Hartley free-kick at the back post, unfortunately he could not direct his header on target.
McGhee switched things round in the 58th minute, bringing Vernon on for Magennis, and Megginson on for Maguire. Sammon was put through on goal again in the 70th minute, a great pass from Silva splitting the Dons defence right open. It was Howard to the rescue this time though, the keeper making an impressive save low to his left. Diamond’s clearance however, went straight to a Kilmarnock player, who put in a cross for Sammon. McArdle was alive to the danger though and did well to head clear, picking up a knock for his trouble.
In the 73rd minute, a Hartley free kick into the box was deflected high into the air. McArdle attempted a spectacular overhead kick as it came back down but his effort sailed comfortably over the bar. Howard helped his defence out again in the 76th minute. Killie were breaking in numbers, and the Aberdeen goalkeeper rushed 25 yards out of his goal to beat Sammon to the ball.
Hamill drew another great save from Howard in the 82nd minute. An attempted lob from 25 yards had the keeper at full stretch to touch it over. This was the first in a flurry of chances for the visitors. Mackie cleared a header off the line from the corner, then moments later, Pascali sent a volley just over the bar.
McArdle threw himself in the way of a Silva effort in the 86th minute, as both teams looked for a winner. Then in the 92nd minute, Aberdeen conceded their first goal in over 450 minutes of competitive football. A nothing ball forward from Killie seemed routine, until Megginson tried to leave it for Howard who was rushing off his line, but got nowhere near it. Hamill pounced, and fired the ball home into the unguarded net. The referee then blew for full time about a minute early, but to be fair, Aberdeen could probably have played all night without scoring.
So the dream start is over, first goal conceded, and first defeat of the season for the Dons. A lot of the passion and hunger seen in the Hamilton game was still there today, but an inability to put a few passes together and a rather toothless display upfront cost us dear.
On a more positive note, Howard made some fantastic saves once more, while Ifil was impressive in a defence that did a reasonably good job. It’s all part of the learning curve for youngsters like Megginson, who will probably never make that mistake again. Aluko was certainly missed today, so the international break has come at a good time, as he will hopefully be back in time for our next game.
Ronaldanho
Danny McKay won RedTV's Junior Reporter competition: click here
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