Young Dons into Aberdeenshire Cup Semi-final
Aberdeen FC's Emerging Talent Squad began their defence of the Aberdeenshire Cup with a quarter-final tie away to Keith. The young side lined up with Nick Suman in goal, a back four of Jack Searle, Jamie Mercer, Lewis Carrol, and Joel Okhuoya. Cooper Masson and Aaron were the two sitting midfielders with Andrew Fasanya, Zak To, and Findlay Marshall ahead of them and Joesph Teasdale upfront.
Heath Duncan and Max Pocklington, both on loan at Kynoch Park this season, had to watch this one from the stand. The first attack of note came on five minutes, a good run by Searle set up Fasayna who created room for the shot but his effort on goal was weak. At the other end, Nathan McKeown hit the target but Suman made a comfortable save.
Ten minutes in, Aberdeen forced the first corner, which was cleared at the near post. Then Marshall broke from midfield before sliding his shot across the keeper but just wide of the target. Two minutes later, a cross from the right was picked up by Zak To, he found space and pulled his shot inches past. A second corner followed on the 14-minute mark, which saw Teasdale blast over the bar from the edge of the area.
On 20 minutes, a great run by Fasayna off the right wing, but his cross was pulled behind all the runners. The same player might have had a penalty shortly after, but a goal kick was given. Aberdeen were on top at this stage with a lot of possession but credit to the Highland League side who were well organised.
And on 26 minutes, they almost took the lead, McKeown showing good strength before firing a shot at Suman, the keeper doing well to push the ball to safety. From the corner, Ryan Roberston looped a header onto the roof of the net. Just before the half-hour mark, Aberdeen took the lead. It was great thinking and awareness from Zak To who took a quick throw-in down the left. He found the run of Marshall who galloped into the area before coolly slotting the ball past Craig Reid.
A few minutes later, Searle curled an effort just over. Then To again was the provider, this time producing a lovely pass for Teasdale who hit the target but Reid did very well to get a hand on it. It was not all one-way traffic. Jordan Cooper and Ewan Clark were both making life as difficult as possible for the Dons' defence.
Half-time Keith 0-1 Aberdeen. During the interval, Findlay Marshall was replaced by Sam McLean. Fasanya and To both forced the keeper into saves early in the second half, and Teasdale volleyed over. The same player then should have scored from close range after great work by Fasanya but pushed his shot past the post.
After 56 minutes, Zak To, who had a very impressive game, went on the mazy run and he forced Reid into another fine save. On the half-hour mark, Cooper Masson was replaced by Kai Gauld. Teasdale then curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area. Would Aberdeen be made to pay for not taking their chances?
With fifteen minutes to go, the game was starting to become more stretched and Keith were continuing to battle for every ball. They were unlucky with a couple of shots which were blocked from a corner then Callum Robertson forced Suman into a fine stop. Although a goal kick was given, it looked a fine stop. With ten minutes to go, Fasanya had another really good run into the box before putting a shot just wide of the far post. Fasanya then set up Teasdale but he fired over.
The closing stages saw Keith push hard for an equaliser but Aberdeen held on for the win. Aberdeen FC's Emerging Talent Squad will now face the winner of the other quarter-final tie in the semi-finals of the Aberdeenshire Cup.
Aberdeen FC are currently 8th in the Premiership, with 33 points from 33 games, and a goal difference of -15. They are 37 points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian. The Dons have scored 33 goals this season and conceded 48.
