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matches

Aberdeen 2 - 3 Celtic

HT Score: Aberdeen 0 - 2 Celtic

SPL Under 21
Aberdeen scorers: Muirhead, Prunty 82.
Celtic scorers: McGeady (21), McBride (45), Lawson (53)

12/04/2004 | KO: 19:00

Late show not enough for Dons

An experienced Aberdeen side were given a lesson in the art of finishing by a young Celtic team this evening before the home side produced a late flurry. Celtic showed composure in front of goal and the finishing was first class as McGeady and McBride fired them into a two-goal lead at the interval. When Lawson added a third in the 54th minute it looked game over. The Dons had other ideas and a quick double from Prunty and Muirhead brought them back into the game. Despite a late onslaught the Dons were unable to grab an equaliser.

Both teams made a positive start and a fine McGovern block denied Hinds as early as the 4th minute. The ball broke kindly for the Dons, but they attempted to walk the ball into the net and the chance was gone. Tosh then had a half chance in the 10th minute and two minutes later Quinn was gifted a free header at the other end, but sent his effort high over the bar. The Dons went close again in the 17th minute when a delightful lob from Sheerin missed the target by inches with McGovern well beaten.

The visitors took the lead in the 21st minute when McGeady was given far too much time and space as he ran unchallenged for 20 yards before hitting a low shot past Hutton from outside the penalty area. Aberdeen had a great chance to level in the 40th minute when Prunty brilliantly took down a great pass from Hinds. The striker evaded his marker but was denied by a fine block from McGovern with the rebound being forced wide of the post. Celtic added a second in the 45th minute when McBride fired in a low shot from the edge of the box.

The Dons had an early chance to pull one back after the break, but McGovern was out smartly to deny Hinds. Celtic almost made it three in the 53rd minute following some fine build up play. Fortunately Gardyne headed wide of the target from 10 yards. The third was only delayed for a minute however as the Celtic side once again displayed crisp finishing in front of goal. This time it was Lawson who cut in from the left and hit a low shot beyond an exposed Hutton. Aberdeen then carved out several good chances but unlike their opponents they could not find the composure in front of goal to convert them.

Aberdeen carved the Celtic defence open again in the 73rd minute, but once again the finish was poor. This time it was Prunty who screwed his first time effort well wide. Minutes later the ball rolled agonisingly across the face of the Celtic goal, but once again there were no takers. The Dons finally got their goalsoring act together when Prunty scrambled the ball over the line in the 83rd minute and 30 seconds later Muirhead hit a tremendous 25-yard drive into the roof of the net to give the Dons some hope. Unfortunately time ran out as the Dons pressed for the equaliser.

Aberdeen Teamsheet
Hutton, Buckley, Morrison, Higgins, Diamond (O'Leary 64), Souter (Foster 46), Tosh, Sheerin, Hinds (Stewart 72), Prunty, Muirhead.

Unused Subs: Jones, Blanchard.
Celtic Teamsheet
McGovern, Irvine, O'Dea, McBride, Cuthbert (Mulgrew 86), McManus, Gardyne (Grant 88), Lawson, Quinn (McGlinchy 33), McGeady, Wallace.
Attendance: 920
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: Colin Brown