Scottish Premier League - Saturday 11th September 2010
Tannadice Park, Aberdeen
A nightmare start for Aberdeen at Tannadice left the Dons with mountain to climb. A Daly goal in the 3rd minute, a Howard own goal in the 6th, and a Goodwillie penalty in the 9th, put Aberdeen three goals down before some fans had even found their seat! Vernon pulled a goal back in the 27th minute but it wasn’t enough and United ran out undeserved winners in what was a freak game.
Ironically, Aberdeen actually made the better start. In the very 1st minute, a ball over the top from Pawlett, found Maguire, who controlled it beautifully. And as the BBC ALBA cameras cut to a close up of Daly’s face, Bebo fired his shot straight at Pernis in the United goal.
The home side took the lead with their first attack, on the break in the 3rd minute. The ball fell to Goodwillie after a decent tackle on Conway, as the Dons defenders swarmed around the striker, his attempted shot broke to Daly who, unmarked, had a tap in from six yards.
Two minutes later, Howard made a good save, tipping over Goodwillie’s attempted lob. But from the corner Howard went from hero to zero, as he came to collect the cross, the Englishman fumbled, and managed to punch the ball into his own net unchallenged. McGhee was furious, feeling Howard was fouled in the build-up, Ifil possibly got in the keeper’s way as well. But it was certainly, and not for the first time in recent years, a horrendous error by an Aberdeen keeper against Dundee United.
In the 8th minute, the ref awarded a soft free kick for a foul by McArdle on Conway. United took it quickly, and as Conway broke into the box Hartley looked to have won the ball with a firm but fair challenge. But unbelievably, Mike Tumilty pointed at the spot. The incredulous Aberdeen players surrounded the referee as the home fans behind the goal went into raptures. As Goodwillie stepped up to take the spot kick, the ball seemed to be forward of the spot, but again the referee waved away Aberdeen complaints. Goodwillie shot low to his left; Howard got a hand to it but just couldn’t keep it out. Nine minutes gone, 3-0 down.
In the 12th minute, a Hartley corner was met by McArdle, but unfortunately his header was straight into Pernis’ arms. A minute later, a Considine long throw-in, delayed by a steward strolling in front of him, eventually found it’s way to Megginson, who drilled a shot just past the post. The 19th minute saw Folly try his luck from about 30 yards, his effort though, flew over the bar.
In the 27th minute, a long ball forward from Ifil, was flicked on to Vernon. The Dons number 9 took a great touch on his chest, then turned and volleyed spectacularly into the top corner. Three minutes later, Maguire had a good chance when he beat Douglas to the ball in the box. Douglas though seemed just to fall down, and the referee all too eagerly blew for a free kick.
In the 39th minute, as Hartley sent a free kick into the box, Kenneth was all over Diamond’s back, preventing the Aberdeen number 5 even getting off the ground. But once again the refree was happy to wave play on. Moments later McGhee kicked the ball away in frustration and was sent to the stand, hurdling the barrier with both grace and dignity as he went. As soon as play resumed, Kenneth was awarded a free kick for falling to the floor while backing into Vernon.
Howard made a good save in the 43rd minute, as Goodwillie charged into the box, looking to restore the three goal deficit. Seconds later a rocket from Severin from about 40 yards, produced another important stop from the keeper.
Kenneth had a headed goal disallowed in the 45th minute, possibly due to an infringement on Howard. As the half drew to a close, Aberdeen almost made it 3-2. A long throw from Considine almost finding it’s way in off Pawlett’s chest, Pernis was at full stretch to push it away.
In the second half Vujadinovic made his debut. Coming on for Ifil, twice, after being told to go back off to have his studs checked and wait for the fourth official to show the board. In contrast to the first half, both teams struggled to create chances early on in the second. Mackie replaced Pawlett, and Magennis replaced Megginson on the hour mark.
A Douglas free kick in the 64th minute, found the side netting, as most of the home support thought it was in. A minute later, Robertson found himself unmarked at the back post, but managed to sky it from 6 yards out.
In the 78th minute, a Hartley free kick from the edge of the D forced a great, one-handed save from the United keeper. In the 82nd minute, Goodwillie won his team a freekick by blatantly running into Considine and simply falling down, thankfully Douglas’ free kick sailed over the bar into the Shed. A minute later, Mackie headed across goal for Magennis, but the big striker just couldn’t get there and the keeper gathered.
With five minutes left, Aberdeen were running out of ideas. Considine tried a shot from 30 yards but it was straight at Pernis. In the 91st minute, Goodwillie almost added a fourth, his effort flashing past Howard’s right-hand post. The Dons showed little urgency in the last few minutes, already having accepted defeat, but in reality, the game was probably lost in the first nine minutes.
In summary then, this was probably a bit of a fluke result. Aberdeen didn’t play that badly at all and you could argue they deserved to win; losing by two goals was certainly harsh. Two lucky goals and a controversial penalty ended the game as a contest inside 10 minutes but the heads didn’t go down. The second half was much more low key, and the substitutions didn’t have the desired impact. On the positive side though, a cracking goal from Vernon gets him off the mark for the season; while other results keep us in 3rd place going into the game at Motherwell next week.
Ronaldanho
Danny McKay won RedTV's Junior Reporter competition: click here
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