Aberdeen 6 - 2 St. Mirren

Aberdeen Under 18s came from two goals down to defeat St Mirren on Tuesday afternoon at the Balmoral Stadium as they continued their good run of form.

Cammy Wilson and Fletcher Boyd delivered memorable second half performances that saw them involved with virtually everything going forward for the young Dons, after two early goals from the visitors saw them fall behind in the Cove chill.

There was one change to the team that defeated Kilmarnock last time out in the youth cup – Fraser Mackie returned to lead the line, replacing Alfie Bavidge.

The young Dons fell to defeat at the hands of their Paisley opponents at the start of the campaign back in August when they were defeated 4-2. There was no doubt Scott Anderson’s in form team were looking for a much improved result and performance this time out.

The game started at a ferocious intensity with both sides looking to assert some early dominance, but unfortunately for Aberdeen it was the Buddies who took an early lead.

After six minutes a turnover of possession in the Aberdeen half was capitalised on and St Mirren were through on goal leaving an easy tap in inside the six-yard box.

Aberdeen responded well to the goal but passed up a high number of chances to level. Findlay Marshall wove his way though the St Mirren side from kick-off and won a corner, Boyd’s effort eventually was straight into the keepers’ grateful hands. Victor Enem was next, his effort was a powerful drive on the angle and this one could only be palmed away to safety.

Ellis Clark, playing his first game since his red card after a minute against Kilmarnock in the cup looked assured and positive going forward but he could only drag a shot wide of goal.

Mid-way through the half things went from bad to worse. Mooney latched onto a weak back pass and calmly finished under Vitols. 0-2 to the visitors.

As Aberdeen looked to fight back Enem was unleashed down the right flank as the young Dons looked to counter but with nobody around him the young defender went down clutching his hamstring and had to be replaced by Timothy Akindileni.

With ten minutes of the half remaining the Dons had a lifeline. Alfie Stewart’s corner looked to come off the shoulder of Fraser Mackie and bounce off a St Mirren defender inside the box before eventually crossing the line and ending up in the back of the net to half the deficit. It wasn’t a pretty goal, but it was 1-2, and game on at Balmoral.

Mackie would be aggrieved not to have pulled his side level when he got on the end of Marshalls swinging cross at the back post but Aberdeen’s number nine's header on the stretch was high and over the frame of the goal.

Deep into injury time the young Dons found a leveller. If their first goal was somewhat scrappy, their equaliser was anything but. Brendan Hamilton’s cross was met on the volley by Boyd who was able to direct the ball over the head of Kelly and into the net.

HT. Aberdeen 2-2 St Mirren.

The second half was a magnificent showing from the Dons from start to finish which allowed them to claim the three points with great aplomb.

For a moment it didn’t look like they would have it all their way after St Mirren broke up the park at great pace, but Mooney’s effort was blazed over the bar.

Three goals in quick succession were just round the corner however, Cammy Wilson’s effort was spilled by the keeper and wound up at the feet of Mackie who was able to apply the finish it needed. A real striker’s goal as he showed great alertness inside the box to extend his team’s advantage.

Wilson was buzzing and was able to provide again just minutes later, this time for Boyd who got his second of the game when he was on the end of Wilson’s cross from the byline to poke home to finally give his side the lead.

Ellis Clark caught everyone off guard when he spectacularly added a 5th goal. His effort from the edge of the box couldn’t have been placed any better and wound up in the top right corner with the keeper frozen.

The side were really in their groove and as the game wound to a close took total domination of the match. Boyd played through Wilson whose attempt was saved before Mackie’s follow up effort was scraped off the line by a St Mirren defender.

Cooper Masson and Joseph Teasdale were introduced to see out the game in place of Wilson and Boyd, who were both greeted by a warm reception from the Dons dugout after an excellent display.

There was time for one more goal before the full-time whistle and it was the skipper, Alfie Stewart who’s shot from long range was fumbled over the line by the keeper to cap off a great comeback victory from the Dons.

Next up is a trip to East Kilbride to take on Motherwell this Friday, kick off 2PM.