Kilmarnock 1 - 3 Aberdeen
(SPL Under 21 match - Rugby Park, 5th January 2004, 7.00pm Kick Off)

For the second time in two days Killie were gubbed 3-1 by Aberdeen and just like the big team we were dishing out gifts. Killie started with Meldrum back in goals and Invincibile looking to stake a claim for a first team place.

The visitors should have gone in front as early as the second minute. A low Sheerin cross from the left found Mackie sliding into the six yard box but he somehow screwed it wide when it looked easier to score.

Five minutes later and Killie gave the fans some cheer at last by grabbing the opener. Hessey picked the ball up wide left, cut infield and from around 25 yards his deflected shot found the corner of the net. If you saw Gareth Barry's goal for Villa yesterday it was very similar.

It was shaping into an entertaining encounter with play flowing from end to end. In ten minutes Esson was quick off his line to deny Dodds before the Dons went up the other end only for Muirhead to waste a good opportunity from the edge of the box.

Killie should have doubled their lead after 28 minutes when a sweeping move ended with Invincibile firing straight at Esson from 12 yards. Two minutes later Tarditi had a clear chance to equalise but scuffed his shot over from close range.

The Dons only had to wait another 60 seconds before they were back on level terms. Sheerin's low cross found Hessey sliding in at the front post and guiding the ball past the helpless Meldrum. The Dons were lifted by the goal and a fine Mackie run ended with a low drive well saved by Meldrum.

The keeper was again Killie's saviour just before the break when saving a free header from Deloumeaux following a corner kick.

The visitors started the second half brightly and took the lead in 47 minutes, thanks again to an own goal. Mackie provided the cross this time and Fowler finished in similar fashion to Hessey. Fowler tried to make amends five minutes later when a driving run into the box brought a fine save from Esson.

The game was effectively over in 61 minutes when the pacy Mackie raced through the middle rounded Meldrum and rolled the ball into an empty net. Killie worked hard to get back into the game with Murray doing his best on the flank but the visitors held out a shade comfortably.

There weren't too many Killie players crying out for a first team place although Murray and Hessey displayed the right spirit. Invincibile was disappointing and is struggling to regain early season form following his injury. The visitors were best served by Mackie and Muirhead - Mackie is one of eight players being released by the Dons and I reckon we could do worse than offer him a deal to the end of the season. 

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Fowler, Hessey (Hamill 73), McLaughlin, McGregor, Canning, Dodds (Naismith 63), Gilroy (Johnstone 73), Invincibile, Di Giacomo, Murray.
Subs (not used): Bell, Boyle.

Aberdeen: Esson, Jones, McQuilken, Souter (McInnes 80), Higgins, Deloumeaux, Mackie, Sheerin, Zdrilic, Tarditi (Bucklay 48), Muirhead.
Subs (not used): Hutton, Donald, O'Leary..

Match Report © Sandy Armour
Match Photos © Sandy Ferguson