Aberdeen 3 - 1 Dundee United

A first half-hat trick from the outstanding Alfie Stewart was enough to ensure Aberdeen Under 18s defeated Dundee United by three goals to one on Tuesday afternoon at Cormack Park, despite finishing the clash with ten men.

The Dons led 3-0 at the interval before United pulled a goal back in the second half and proceeded to pass up on a few opportunities to really make a game of it. Aberdeen also had Rodrigo Vitols to thank for some impressive goalkeeping that avoided any dramatic finishes.

There was just the one change to the XI that beat Ayr on Friday to reach the Youth Cup Final: Lewis Carrol returned; Alfie Bavidge not involved.

It didn’t take long for the Dons to get on the goal trail.

Stewart gave his side the lead after eight minutes when he applied the finishing touch onto a lovely piece of combination play between himself and Findlay Marshall, with his midfield partner providing the perfect one two to cut open the United defence and leave him to apply a classy finish.

Aberdeen held the lion share of the possession during the first half, but they had to wait until just before the half hour mark for the second goal to arrive.

Cammy Wilson passed up on a golden chance to grab a second for his side, a wayward cross field Dundee United pass allowed the young winger to race through on goal, his effort was wide.

The goal did indeed come with Stewart and Marshall at the heart of the action again. United were having difficulties playing out from the back and the young Dons took full advantage of their troubles: Marshall pickpocketed a United defender who was caught on the ball, he nudged the ball forward to Fraser Mackie who slipped through Stewart to add both a second goal for himself and his team.

The one-way traffic continued for the second portion of the half. Fletcher Boyd danced around a Dundee United defender and picked out Marshall who had a shot saved; Ellis Clark pounced on the rebound which produced a fine reaction stop out of Haldane.

There was a spell of Aberdeen corners to close out the half that were beginning to look like they would all come to nothing as we headed towards the interval.

Stewart had other ideas, and the captain produced a third goal direct from a corner kick with a looping effort that caught out both the United defence and goalkeeper to put his side three nil to the good and claim a first half hat-trick in the process.

HT. Aberdeen 3 Dundee United 0

The second half showing would have been one that would have been a disappointment for the young Dons after such a successful first 45, but the first half showing meant any hopes of a United comeback were out of reach.

Wilson forced another strong save out of Haldane near the start of the half, which was the closest the Dons got to adding to their goal tally.

On the hour mark there was a double change that meant Stewart and Marshall got a well-earned rest after a mightily impressive 60 minutes of action. Christovie Kondolo and Cooper Masson came on in their place as Scott Anderson and Stuart Duff shuffled their pack.

Just a few minutes later Cameron pulled a goal back for Dundee United when a quickly taken free kick gave the number eleven a chance to curl an effort past Vitols and into the back of the net.

The chances were ramping up for United with the majority of the game now being played in Aberdeen’s half. Vitols made a strong save to deny a long-range effort before Bertie rose highest as he attacked a Dundee United corner – thankfully his header over. MacLeod looked sharp for the visitors, and he rattled the inside of the Aberdeen post as they turned their attacking intent up a gear.

A spanner was thrown into the works when the Dons were forced to finish the game with ten men after Kondolo received his marching orders for a second yellow card, the latter offence an industrial challenge in the middle of the park that left the referee no option but to reach into his pocket.

Thankfully there wasn’t much left of the game for Aberdeen to navigate and after MacLeod’s effort was deflected behind for a corner which the Dons were able to eventually clear, they were able to get to the final whistle with the lead still intact and claim an important three points as the young side enter a very busy section of their league season with the games coming thick and fast, next up the visit of Hamilton Academical on Friday evening.