Caledonian Braves 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Two goals, one in either half, ensured Aberdeen defeated Caledonian Braves by two goals to nil on Friday night to advance to the fourth round of the SFA Youth Cup, with Joseph Teasdale and Findlay Marshall on the scoresheet. An impressive goalkeeping performance from Alexander Young prevented the young Dons from adding more to the scoreline and making the win more comfortable.

Scott Anderson named two changes to his side that were well beaten at Rugby Park last Friday. Timothy Akindileni made way and Findlay Marshall, who played 90 minutes and scored the winning penalty in the shootout on Wednesday against Fraserburgh in the Aberdeenshire Shield, took a spot on the bench. Lewis Carrol returned to the team alongside Joseph Teasdale for the game in North Lanarkshire.

Aberdeen got the early goal they were looking for that would allow them to assert their dominance on the tie on the 7th minute mark. After a few spirited Caley Brave blocks, it was Teasdale who eventually slotted past Young from inside the box for the opener.

Just minutes later Fraser Mackie did well to peel away from his marker to score a well-placed header, but the linesmen’s flag was raised well in advance, and the young Dons had to settle for just the one goal from the opening ten minutes.

It was Mackie who was next in line to be denied by the linesman’s flag after he got on the end of Ellis Clarks cross and headed home, but like his teammate prior he had a chance to wheel off in celebration.

Midway through the half Mackie was spectacularly denied by Young at full stretch after the Dons centre forward weaved his way into a shooting position inside the box, but the keeper produced a first-class effort to keep it at 0-1. Aberdeen were dominating the game which was being played almost exclusively in the Caledonian Braves half, but still only had one goal to show for their efforts.

Wilson had a shot, from a dangerous area on the edge of the box, saved with ten minutes of the half to play. Prior to that Alfie Stewart sent a free kick goal bound from distance but it was well held by Young, who had looked solid throughout the half.

Up the other end the Braves had a half chance of their own before the half was out, Leo Hannah smashed a half volley towards Rodrigo Vitols but it was comfortable enough for the Dons keeper to hold into his chest.

HT- Caledonian Braves 0-1 Aberdeen

The second half started with Brendan Hamilton flashing an inviting ball across the goal mouth which landed up at the back post where Ellis Clark was lurking, but there was a Caledonian Brave defender alert and in the way who was able to push the ball behind for a corner, which was eventually cleared.

On the 57th minute mark a deep Caley Braves free kick evaded everyone in both navy and red and came clattering back off the woodwork as the Dons defence watched on, and then listened to the piercing sound of the ball clattering the Aberdeen frame. It was a reminder that their work was far from done, and this was still very much a cup tie up for grabs.

Just after the hour Marshall was introduced to the fray, replacing Clark. After the free kick scare Aberdeen had a few chances of their own but were again foiled by the continually impressive Young.

Marshall’s introduction was felt immediately, and he latched onto a through ball from Fletcher Boyd to strike past Young after he found himself one on one with the keeper to finally double Aberdeen’s lead. 0-2.

Following the goal Aberdeen continued to create chances aplenty. Teasdale and Mackie were working hard up the top end of the pitch and Young pulled off a few more stops to really prevent the young Dons sending the result beyond any doubt.

Jack Searle was the second introduction from the Dons bench: he came on in place of Wilson to see out the closing exchanges.

There was to be no more goal mouth action and the contest was brought to a close with Aberdeen securing what they were after: A spot in the fourth round of the cup.

FT – Caledonian Braves 0-2 Aberdeen

REACTION- Scott Anderson
‘In the cup you are just looking to get into the next round, and we did more than enough to ensure that. The only frustration is probably that we were just lacking a little bit of quality in the final third, which could have seen us put the game to bed sooner. That being said, we’ve scored two good goals and kept a clean sheet, so off the back of last week we are pleased.

“Credit to Caledonian Braves. They stuck in, showed a good spirit about them and their goalie made one or two good saves, so credit to them, they made it difficult. I said to the players before the game, this is an important competition for us. The club view it as an important competition for this age group, so we want to get as far as we can. We want to keep building on these performances, and try and do well in both the league and the cup.’