Aberdeen got the best possible start to the game as they could have wished by opening the scoring within the first two minutes. McGinn played the ball to Pawlett who was in a central position within the County half. Pawlett looked to skip past Kettlewell however the County man ha other ideas and took the young Don out of the game. McGinn, Jack and Low who was making his first start for Aberdeen stood over the ball. It looked to be the usual McGinn strike but instead he dummied a shot and left it for Low. Low stepped up and superbly curled the ball with his left foot into the net. No chance for keeper Fraser.
Ten minutes later McGinn once again looked to turn provider. He found himself in a wide left position and with good vision spotted the run of Pawlett into the Ross County box. McGinn picked him out and skimmed a pass right into his feet. Pawlett controlled the ball well and then was once again taken down by Klok this time inside the box. The referee despite taking his time about it, pointed to the spot. In the absence of Robson, Vernon stepped up to take the spot kick and looked to have struck a beauty buy the outstretched arm of Fraser reached up and turned the ball behind. A good penalty from Vernon but an even better save. This situation seemed all to familiar, one goal up and cruising then a missed penalty! Would the game turn on it's head just as it did against Hearts?
McGinn was creating good chances for Aberdeen and another came when once again the Northern Irishman cut inside and played a low ball into Vernon who had his back to goal. The big striker first time flicked the ball past the defender and first time tried to curl and effort in the far corner. However the ball just had too much spin on it taking it wide of the target. The Dons now had the game by the scruff of the neck and it was proving to be one of the most one sided Premiership matches in a long time. County were offering absolutely nothing going forward and were struggling to keep up with the fast but tidy style of play by Aberdeen. Another good move should have led to another penalty for Aberdeen however the referee was having none of it. One touch play from Reynolds to Flood to Hayes allowed the winger to drive down the left hand side. Just as it looked as if he was going to cut back he was taken down on the edge of the area as the ball dribbled out of play. Somehow the man in the middle came to the conclusion it was a corner kick.
The second half did not prove to be any richer in chances for the Staggies. As play got back under way the same pattern of play as the first reformed, Aberdeen attacked and Ross County defended. Low bursting with confidence from his early goal attempted another shot. He struck it with his laces to try and get it to dip and that it did but just too late as it dipped over the bar. McGinn also had an effort from just outside the box on the hour mark after good play by Shaughnessy. He skipped past left back Gordon, and laid the ball into the path of McGinn but just like Vernon's first half attempt the spin on the ball took it just too far past the post. Aberdeen just couldn't find that second breakthrough to put the game to bed. Substitute Cammy Smith had a driving run at the centre of the Ross County defence but his shot was directly at the keeper who comortably saved. McGinn tried to get on the scoresheet with a free kick also but it curled just past the post. Despite not being able to win the match comfortably the Dons saw the game through with ease claiming all three points.
FT: Aberdeen 1-0 Ross County
Aberdeen
- 01 Langfield
- 02 Shaughnessy
- 18 Low
- 08 Flood
- 27 Hector
- 06 Reynolds
- 16 Pawlett (Smith - 77' )
- 22 Jack (Robson - 73' )
- 10 McGinn
- 09 Vernon (Magennis - 84' )
- 11 Hayes
Substitutes
- 04 Anderson
- 14 Smith
- 15 Robson
- 17 Wylde
- 20 Weaver
- 21 Magennis
- 25 Shankland
Ross County
- 20 Fraser
- 22 Saunders (De Leeuw - 66' )
- 03 Gordon
- 16 Cooper (Maatsen - 80' )
- 05 Boyd
- 21 McLean
- 08 Brittain
- 18 Klok Booked
- 09 Mustafi (Glen - 45' )
- 04 Kettlewell
- 23 Carey
Substitutes
- 01 Brown
- 06 Micic
- 10 Quinn
- 11 De Leeuw
- 14 Maatsen
- 15 Glen
- 19 Luckassen
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