20s end season with defeat

The U20s were beaten 2-0 by Aberdeen in the final Development League game of the season. A brace from Scott Wright secured all three points for the Dons against a Dundee side that featured David Mitchell, Kosta Gadzhalov, Danny Williams and Henrik Ojamaa.

Aberdeen started the game on the front foot, Dean Campbell brought a save out of David Mitchell after 10 minutes. Chris Antoniazzi then glanced a header just wide.

Scott Wright’s surging run after 21 minutes resulted in another chance for Antoniazzi, but the Aberdeen man didn’t test Mitchell with his shot. Henrik Ojamaa had the Dees first real chance after 24 minutes, but his volley was saved by Aberdeen goalkeeper David Craddock. 60 seconds later, the Dons took the lead.

Reigan Thomson bundled Connor McLennan over inside the penalty area leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Wright stepped up and sent Mitchell the wrong way as the ball nestled in the bottom right corner.

The Dons had a golden opportunity to double their lead three minutes later, but Antoniazzi was denied by Mitchell, before he sent his half volley off target.

With two minutes of the first half remaining, the Dons did get their second. The ball broke loose to Wright at the top of the box and the winger made no mistake as he rifled the ball past Mitchell from 15 yards.

Aberdeen looked to extend their lead in the second half, and nearly did so through substitute David Dangana. The striker won the ball on the edge of the Dundee box, but his effort was saved by Mitchell.

Dundee’s best chance of the match fell to Ojamaa just before the hour mark. The striker was sent in one on one against Craddock, but he didn’t connect with his shot and the ball rolled into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Mitchell had to be at his best late on to deny Aberdeen a third. The goalkeeper was at full stretch as he pushed away Bruce Anderson’s curling effort.

This result means that the young Dees finish the Development League season in 15^th place. Over the course of the season, regulars Calvin Colquhoun, Matty Allan, Jesse Curran, Josh Skelly, Matty Smyth, Conor Quigley, Kerr Waddell and Kyle Gourlay have all gained valuable first team experience in the lower leagues. This has allowed the likes of Ian Smith, Daniel Higgins, Callum Ferrie, Brian Rice, Mark Smith and Connor Coupe to gain valuable playing time in the Development League, while Finlay Robertson, Lyall Cameron, and Marton Hornyik have all had their first taste of the Development League. So, while the results haven’t reflected some of the performances this season, the signs are there that the Dees can finish higher in the league and progress further in the cups next season.   

Dundee (4-4-1-1): Mitchell, Dryden, Thomson, Gadzhalov, Quigley, Higgins (Hornyik 73), Moore, Robertson, I Smith, Williams (Cameron 59), Ojamaa (Berry 59) 

Subs Unused: Ferrie

Aberdeen (4-4-2): Craddock, Robertson, Wells, MacPherson, McKenna, Roscoe (Ross 78), Wright, Campbell, McLennan (Dangana 45(McKenzie 88)), Anderson, Antoniazzi

Subs Unused: Lennon

Goals: Wright 25’ (p), 43’

Report: Andrew Creegan