Pittodrie, UEFA Youth League, 23/10/24
Me still 325
Aberdeen Football Club
Founded – 1903
Nickname – The Dons
Where to start with this. Worth nipping in as I was passing but it was a very tough watch. Over the years the Wee Man and myself have watched the young Dons on numerous occasions, with them lovingly being named “the Dons Babies” by junior. But to be honest it was probably a blessing he was not in attendance as it was not a good night. Without trying to be too critical of the loons it was pretty poor stuff on show. But there were circumstances to take into consideration. One which I think is ludicrous if true. The SFA do not allow players out on loan to represent their parent club in the UEFA Youth League. This bizarre considering they can play in the Youth Scottish Cup. The countries own governing body is hampering it’s own teams prior to a ball being kicked. This led to no Alfie Bavidge, nor Findlay Marshall and also Blair McKenzie. Three players who would most likely have started. But this does not excuse some of the play on show. It really was pretty grim. Which was a shame as I was quite looking forward to something a bit different on a Wednesday night. The first few minutes saw the teams trying to work each other out but it became apparent that despite the equally shared possession the Hungarians looked lot slicker and better with the ball and their first big chance proved this as the cut the Dons back line apart allowing Artem Tyshchuk in but his effort which beat Vitols rattled the post and away to safety. Then came a weird decision from the ref. As a Dons defender cleared the ball it hit the front of the Main Stand roof. The Puskas player went to take the throw but the ref called for a drop ball. What it was for seemed to be he thought it did not go out of play due to hitting the roof, which is clearly NOT overhanging the pitch. Strange stuff. But back to PA, the post effort had clearly got their tails up and on a few occasions soon after they seemed to get in behind with ease but without testing the Dons keeper Vitols. Eventually the goal came and it was a flukey shite of a goal at that, when wee winger Vekony fired a cross into the box which Dons full back Victor Enem slid in to cut out but stuck into the bottom corner of his own net. To be fair to Aberdeen this did not faze them and they were soon back on level terms when Fraser Mackie fired in from ten yards after a cross from Alfie Stewart. But it was a false dawn as unforced errors in their abundance crept in the Dons game and the young reds were blown away by a far better team. The second goal form the visitors was a poor one to give away. A corner was sent into the box and two players unmarked stood waiting and it was big defender Umathum knocked it in unchallenged. The Dons defence had switched off completely. It was three before the half time break and again, an avoidable goal again. Akindileni looked to his keeper Vitols to come and collect at the edge of the area but he seemed to hesitate before diving down, and that moment allowed Kevin Mondovics to nip in and steal the ball to round the keeper and tap into an empty net. This had the potential of an incoming do-in
HT – 1 v 3
A do in it was to be too. Kevin Mondovics added a fourth early on when he struck home from inside the box. But again avoidable as Vitols misjudged coming off his line allowing himself to be rounded and the striker was on hand soon after to grab a hat trick when he tapped in a rebound unopposed ten minutes into the second half. The game was over at this point. It died on its arse too in truth, Aberdeen looked shell shocked and PA looked like they knew they were in the next round, despite there still being a second leg to go. The only thing of note left in the game was watching the visiting full back Orján taking throw ins. He just cant take a legal throw, it was laughable and I have never seen the likes. However, it was not as laughable as the referee’s inability to award the foul throws.
A tough night for the babies. I was feeling sorry for them by the end. The final whistle was the fitba equivalent of youthansing a dog. But they will learn from this. They are still just loons at the end of the day
Entrance – £10
Attendance – 2001 (Official)
Pie – £5.80, Coffee and AFC Rock
Pint – £4.20, Tennent’s, Red Lion
FITBAWBAG 