Scottish Premier League - Saturday, 24th April 2010
McDiarmid Park, Aberdeen
Aberdeen had to settle for a point at McDiarmid Park this afternoon as an 89th minute own goal prevented them recording back to back wins. The north-east side took the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute, a tap in for MacLean, but the Dons went on to dominate the half and could have increased their lead. Aberdeen though, sat back for large parts of the second half and the equalising goal eventually came right at the death.
The Dons made three changes from last weeks win over Falkirk this lunch time. Aluko and Marshall were brought in in place of the injured Diamond and suspended Mulgrew. Stuart Nelson made only his second start for the Dons as Langfield dropped to the bench amidst rumours of a bust up with McGhee. St Johnstone flew out of the traps and forced Nelson into action inside a minute, the keeper tipping Millar’s effort round the post. The home side went close again from the resulting corner, MacKay’s shot having to be cleared off the line by Aluko. Samuel worked himself into space on the edge of the box in the ninth minute, but his shot was comfortably wide. It was all St Johnstone at this point and Aberdeen just weren’t in the game, until Mackie won a corner on 15 minutes. Marshall’s in-swinging corner was met by the head of Grassi, and the keeper, Smith, was only able to touch his header onto the bar. Mackie was first to react for the rebound, his header was on its way in, but MacLean was on the line and hooked it in to make sure.
The goal seemed to take the wind out of the Perth side’s sails as well as giving Aberdeen confidence; but it was St Johnstone again with the next chance. A well worked move saw Samuel break into the box, but Duff was quick to snuff out the danger. In the 28th minute, Davidson went in late on Aluko, the tackle went unpunished but sparked a wild few minutes with challenges flying in everywhere as tempers began to fray. Nelson came rushing out of his goal in the 36th minute and just did enough to stop Samuel as the Trinidad and Tobago international looked dangerous. The Dons then went straight up to the other end and nearly made it two; MacLean’s low cross almost finding Marshall. A minute later, Aluko cut inside and fired in a shot from just outside the box, however his effort drifted wide of the post. MacLean then came within inches of doubling his, and his team’s tally. A deflected cross fell perfectly for the on-loan striker who drilled his shot off Smith’s crossbar. Aberdeen finished the half strongly; MacLean going close with a long range effort after a neat back heal from Marshall, and Grassi putting a header just past the post before the referee brought the half to a close.
St Johnstone started the second half just as they started the first; Aluko again forced into a goal line clearance, this time from a Rutkiewicz header. A flurry of corners followed and Rutkiewicz went close with another header. In the 55th minute, a great pass from Samuel cut the Aberdeen defence wide open, but Millar elected an ambitious cross for Sheridan rather than a shot and the chance was gone. Three minutes later Mackie put Smith under pressure and the keeper sliced his clearance high into the air. Unfortunately though, the Dons striker was quickly crowded out by the Saints defence. Mackie was almost played in by Aluko in the 65th minute, the Nigerian international’s ball over the top was only just cut out by the defence. A midfield battle then ensued as neither team could create any clear-cut chances. Substitute Jackson nearly took advantage of defensive miscommunication as Nelson and Ifil both left a ball in the 74th minute; but Nelson recovered quickly and got down to smother the ball.
With 13 minutes left, MacLean was booked for a rash challenge from behind on Millar. The Dons goal scorer can count himself lucky he wasn’t shown an earlier yellow for a dangerous high foot on Grainger. St Johnstone’s desperation was showing through in the 84th minute, Craig attempting a spectacular overhead kick, but not making contact. Aberdeen were then pinned back for the remaining minutes, as the home side looked like equalising for the first time, both Deuchar and Jackson having headers saved by Nelson. Just when it looked as though the Dons had weathered the storm, in trying to clear the ball, Young caught Davidson in the face with his boot just outside the box. Nelson got a hand to Craig’s low shot from the free kick, but could only parry it back out into the crowded penalty area. The defence were then static as Jackson reacted, poking the ball off the post. There was nothing Nelson could do as the ball rebounded off the post, hit his arm, and bounced back into the net for an 89th minute equaliser. The Saints then went in search of a winner and nearly got it! Davidson flashing a powerful header over the bar, when he really should have scored in the 92nd minute. Foster played a last ditch free kick forward deep into stoppage time but it went straight behind for a goal kick and the referee blew for full time.
All in all, a draw was probably a fair result, although the manner of the equaliser makes it feel more like a defeat. In the end, Aberdeen paid the price for sitting back too much in the second half. There were certainly positives to take though, there was more fight shown by the players again, and Grassi and MacLean both had very good games. The Dons are now also mathematically safe from the drop. McGhee may look to blood a few more youngsters and experiment in the next few games as he begins his preparations for next season.
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.
