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Stranraer 0 Aberdeen 2
The first half saw few chances with the Dons perhaps having the bulk of the possession, although Stranraer did hit the post through Sharp and generally used their possession better than the Reds. The Dons played with more purpose after the interval and their pressure paid off in the 57th minute. Chris Clark delivered a cross from the left and Jamie Smith swept the ball into the net with his left foot. They almost doubled that tally on the hour mark when they won a corner and an Andrew Considine header was cleared off the line.
Scott Severin had started the game in midfield (hooray!), but dropped back into defence in the 63rd minute when Gary Dempsey replaced Considine. Four minutes later Aberdeen doubled their advantage when Steve Crawford fed Barry Nicholson in a reversal of Saturday's first goal; the midfielder heading past the keeper. In the 78th minute Aberdeen almost added a third when the former Pars, clearly relishing pairing up again, had shots blocked. Dempsey fired wide in the 84th minute then in injury time Esson ensured a clean sheet when he made a magnificent save from Moore.
That the Dons had 70% of the possession during the game tells its own story, but they never really got out of second gear and there is a feeling that there is still more to come from this team, particularly when the injuries clear up and there is genuine competition for places. Job done though, and here's to a decent draw in the next round.
Jimmy Calderwood was satisfied with the performance and result, and told RedWeb: "In the second half we were a lot better as Muirhead got forward more and we started to use him. Once we scored the first goal our confidence grew and the second goal was brilliant with Steve and Barry doing really well. It's good to be in the next round. There are some big teams at this stage so we just have to hope for a favourable draw."
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Scott Severin had started the game in midfield (hooray!), but dropped back into defence in the 63rd minute when Gary Dempsey replaced Considine. Four minutes later Aberdeen doubled their advantage when Steve Crawford fed Barry Nicholson in a reversal of Saturday's first goal; the midfielder heading past the keeper. In the 78th minute Aberdeen almost added a third when the former Pars, clearly relishing pairing up again, had shots blocked. Dempsey fired wide in the 84th minute then in injury time Esson ensured a clean sheet when he made a magnificent save from Moore.
That the Dons had 70% of the possession during the game tells its own story, but they never really got out of second gear and there is a feeling that there is still more to come from this team, particularly when the injuries clear up and there is genuine competition for places. Job done though, and here's to a decent draw in the next round.
Jimmy Calderwood was satisfied with the performance and result, and told RedWeb: "In the second half we were a lot better as Muirhead got forward more and we started to use him. Once we scored the first goal our confidence grew and the second goal was brilliant with Steve and Barry doing really well. It's good to be in the next round. There are some big teams at this stage so we just have to hope for a favourable draw."
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