Matthew Henvey’s late goal salvaged a point for the U20’s in their opening Development League fixture with Aberdeen. Jimmy Boyle made 5 changes to the side that were beaten 2-1 by Cove Rangers in the Irn Bru Cup at the beginning of the month. David Mitchell, Sam Dryden, Calvin Colquhoun, Nicky Low and a trialist were all brought in, replacing Kyle Gourlay, Sean Gallacher, Greg Warwick and Josh Skelly who all dropped out completely, while Kyle Clark was on the bench. Aberdeen fielded a strong starting 11, featuring the likes of Neil Alexander, Callum Morris and Craig Storrie, were dominant in the opening exchanges and lead by 2 goals to nil early in the second half but Dundee reduced the deficit half way through the second period with Mark Smith’s header. In the dying minutes of the game, Henvey headed the ball past Alexander to rescue a point for Dundee.
Both sides began moving the ball well, but neither could play the final pass. Mark Smith and Taylor Berry both got on the end of crosses but neither were able to trouble Alexander.
The Dons were beginning to dominate and with half an hour played they took the lead. Frank Ross picked up the ball and drove at the Dundee defence. The forward slipped the ball into Bruce Anderson who drilled a low shot past David Mitchell in the Dundee goal.
Mitchell was called into action minutes later, this time saving a tame effort from Dylan Thomas. Dundee’s best chance of the half came courtesy of a mix up between Aberdeen defender Toby Wells and Alexander which saw the defender knock the ball past the goalkeeper, but the fullback managed to get the ball away from danger.
Aberdeen were nearly two to the good on the stroke of half time as a mix up in the Dundee defence allowed Connor McLennan in on goal, but the striker sent his effort straight at David Mitchell. It was a half in which Dundee had done little to trouble the Aberdeen goal, and were perhaps fortunate to only be trailing by one goal.
The Dons started the second half as they had finished the first, and Anderson doubled his tally on 48 minutes. The Aberdeen forward controlled a low cross from Scott Wright and fired the ball past Mitchell.
Taylor Berry was replaced by Kyle Clark on the hour mark. This would prove to be an inspired substitution by Jimmy Boyle as just 5 minutes later Dundee would find the net. Clark picked out Sam Dryden on the overlap and the right backs cross was headed home by Mark Smith.
Dundee were beginning to cause the Aberdeen defence more problems, thanks to the pace of the wingers Coupe and Clark. Coupe linked up well with the trialist, but his shot flew over the crossbar. Nicky Low would have Dundee’s next chance, but the midfielders free-kick from the edge of the penalty area was also off target.
David Mitchell was called into action after 80 minutes. The Dundee stopper did well to deny Aberdeen substitute Joe Nuttall. Six minutes later Mitchell was called upon again to keep out Nuttall’s low drive.
With the game nearing its conclusion, Matthew Henvey replaced Mark Smith. As the game entered injury time, Dundee were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. The ball broke to Connor Coupe on the right wing and his deflected cross was headed in by Henvey.
This was very much a game of two halves for the Dark Blues. In the first half they were far from their best and perhaps fortunate to only be one nil down at half time. The second half of the second half was a different story. Kyle Clark brought more pace into the Dundee attack and linked up well with Sam Dryden down the right hand side. On the left, Connor Coupe was impressive again as was Connor Quigley at left back. Despite this not being the Dees best performance, the late goal should give them confidence ahead of next week’s game against Hibs.
Aberdeen (4-2-3-1): Alexander, Omolokun, Wells, Thomas, McKenna, Morris, Wright, Storie, McLennan, F Ross, Anderson (Nuttall 71)
Subs Unused: Norris, Robertson, Dangana, S Ross, MacPherson, Craddock (GK)
Goals: Anderson 30’, 48’
Dundee (4-2-3-1): Mitchell, Dryden, Waddell, Smyth, Quigley, Berry (Clark 60), Colquhoun, Low, Coupe, Trialist, Smith (Henvey 88)
Subs Unused: Ferrie (GK), Gibb
Goals: Smith 65’, Henvey 90+1’
Report: Andrew Creegan
