Co-operative Insurance League Cup - Wednesday 22nd September 2010
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Aberdeen came out on top this evening after a hard fought 3-2 win over Raith at Pittodrie. A Hartley penalty put the Dons the ahead, but the visitors came back to lead 2-1 in what was a poor first half for the Reds. However, Vernon secured Aberdeen’s passage to the quarter-final with a second-half brace.
The Dons were handed a dream start when Rory 'McCafu' McArdle was brought down in the box after a decent run down the right, and the referee pointed to the spot. Hartley duly slotted home his fifth penalty of the season to put his team 1-0 up after just 10 minutes. The home support were claiming for another penalty just three minutes later, when Murray seemed to handle in the box, but the referee was not interested.
In the 24th minute Rovers drew level after some calamitous defending. Langfield came to the edge of his area to claim a cross, but spilled it in the crowd. The defence then scrambled to clear, but couldn’t get it away, leaving Mole with a simple finish.
A decent passing move put Derek Young through on goal in the 30th minute, but the midfielder snatched at the chance, lifting his shoot over the bar. Five minutes later, Raith could have gone in front when Folly found himself wrong side Tade. The troublesome striker fired a ball low across goal, luckily nobody could reach it for the tap in, and it was blasted high over the bar at the back post.
Raith did go ahead in the 38th minute though. Jamie Mole went past Ifil on the wing before playing in Tade for an easy finish. The first division outfit finished the half strongly as Aberdeen went to pieces, unable to string two passes together. As the half time whistle went to a chorus of boos, “It’s Not Over Yet” – Klaxons was played over the tannoy system, and how right that would prove to be.
Mackie replaced Megginson at the start of the second half, but this had little impact at first. Raith picked up where they left off, having four good chances in opening 10 minutes of the half. Vujadinovic came on for Andrew 'Maiconso' Considine, who had taken a knock in the 56th minute, and immediately Aberdeen equalised. Hartley sent a free kick into the box and Vernon diverted it past the keeper with a fantastic header.
This was the turning point of the game, sparking a flurry of Dons chances. In the 59th minute, a great cross from Folly found Vernon, whose header needed a superb save from McGurn. Maguire burst into the box three minutes later, but completely sliced his effort wide. Maguire and Vernon linked up again in the 63rd minute, Maguire driving down the right before squaring to Vernon whose shot was just blocked.
Aberdeen kept up the pressure, a dangerous ball in from Bebo just needed a touch in the 72nd minute. A worrying sight for Dons fans in the 75th minute though, as Hartley limped off to be replaced by Ryan Jack. The support cheered up three minutes later however, when Aberdeen went in front. Young did well on the left to beat his man and send a great ball into the middle where Vernon was waiting to pounce: 3-2.
Raith pushed for an equaliser and almost got it, a header flashing just past Langfield’s post. In the 87th minute, Vernon set up Mackie with a sitter one-on-one, but the Dazzler (who had made a decent impact after coming off the bench) somehow skewed his shot wide in comical fashion - but only because the score was 3-2. Aberdeen held on for the last few minutes to claim a spot in the quarter finals.
A much improved performance in the second half then, was enough to see off first division high flyers Raith. After going 2-1 down, it is questionable whether the Aberdeen of recent seasons would have had the resilience to come back fighting and earn the win. But what’s not questionable is this side’s fighting spirit and solidarity. With Vernon sitting on four goals in his last three games, and Maguire in fine form too; you can’t help but think what they might do to Grandad Weir & Co come the weekend. So it’s full steam ahead to Sunday!
Ronaldanho
Danny McKay won RedTV's Junior Reporter competition: click here
Aberdeen-Mad - written by the fans for the fans. Together we can make a difference.
