YOUNG TERRORS MADE TO RUE MISSED CHANCES AGAINST ABERDEEN

The Under-18s suffered another difficult defeat on the road this afternoon as they fell to a 3-1 defeat away at Aberdeen in the CAS Under-18 Elite League.

The Young Terrors deserved more than Darren Watson's last-minute penalty to show for their efforts, but failed to capitalise on their numerous chances as the Dons scored either side of half-time to secure the win.

The forward line of Fin Malcolm and Watson proved troublesome for Aberdeen in the opening stages of the game, with young Watson being a fingertip save away from taking the lead in the 17th minute as his dipping shot was pushed over by the keeper with a fantastic save.

The Aberdeen stopper was on hand again to deny Kai Fotheringham, who returned to the 18s lineup following his loan spell with Falkirk, when he produced another excellent save to push the United attacker's stinging effort over the bar.

The Dons had their own chances in the opening 45 minutes, twice hitting the woodwork and Flynn Duffy keeping them at bay with a last gasp tackle, but they were able to find the breakthrough two minutes before the interval.

A low cross in from the right channel was only half-cleared by the United defence, and it fell perfectly for the Aberdeen striker to volley home from ten yards out.

The Young Terrors could've responded immediately as Lewis O'Donnell was unfortunate to see his 25-yard free-kick come crashing off the woodwork, while the keeper produced a fine double save to keep out Fotheringham and Malcolm.

Despite United's excellent number, and quality, of chances in the first half, poor finishing was costing them and that was only emphasised in the 52nd minute when Aberdeen doubled their advantage. A high-temp move down the right-wing ended with a curling shot fired towards goal, but Ruairidh Adams reacted quickly by turning the ball onto the post. Sadly for Adams, the rebound fell into the path of a red shirt which he slotted home.

The Aberdeen keeper was called on again to keep his sides lead intact when Watson's shot deflected in the opposite direction that it was intended, but the stopper held on to it well.

The young Dons put the game to bed with 16 minutes remaining on the clock as Adams was beaten at his near post by the midfielder's low curling shot. The hosts looked to add a fourth before the clock ran out, but it was United who would get the final goal of the game as Watson was brought down in the box and the referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot.

The young stepped up and converted the penalty, which was all but a consolation for the Young Terrors.

Next up for the Under-18s is an away trip to Heart of Midlothian on Friday 14th May.

Team: Ruairidh Adams, Adam Hutchison (C) (sub Layton Bisland), Jacob Comerford, Lewis Neilson; Flynn Duffy, Rhys Cave, Kai Fotheringham, Lewis O’Donnell, Miller Thomson; Darren Watson, Fin Malcolm (sub Dominik Naglik)

Unused subs: Sam Lovie, Shaun Brown, Lennon Walker.