Jim's Fringe Festival

Nov 4 2007 Euan Mclean At Pittodrie

Patchwork Dons Get A Euro Boost

ABERDEEN 2

DUNDEE UTD 0

BEAMING Jimmy Calderwood praised his patchwork Dons for a massive win that sets them up perfectly for Thursday's big UEFA clash with Lokomotiv Moscow.

Goals from Sone Aluko and sub Lee Miller sealed a deserved win over a United side whose miserable day was capped by late red cards for Lee Wilkie and skipper Barry Robson.

But while United looked a shadow of the side that beat Rangers last week to romp to joint second in the SPL, Aberdeen were unrecognisable themselves with EIGHT first-team regulars ruled out with injuries.

The fringe players put together an impressive performance that whetted the home fans' appetite for Thursday - and gave food for thought for the Lokomotiv spy in Pittodrie's main stand.

Calderwood said: "It couldn't be any better preparation given the massive problems we had.

"It was difficult enough forme to pick a team so the man from Moscow will have a bigger problem trying to predict our side for Thursday's Cup clash.

"United are quality and playing well this season so to win 2-0 without eight big players says a lot about my squad.

"I was looking for answers and got them. It sets us up great and now I have difficult choices to make."

Most of the injured regulars should be fit for the Moscow test but surely goal hero Aluko and Jeffrey de Visscher have done enough to keep their places after excellent performances yesterday.

Injuries have resulted in a stuttering start to de Visscher's career at Pittodrie but the Dutch winger was a stand-out.

He was inches from grabbing a third-minute lead for Dons with a wickedly deflected shot off Jordan Robertson.

But he was guilty of squandering a great chance in the 27th minute.

Bursting forward in a three-man break with Aluko and Chris Maguire he selfishly blasted high and wide from a tight angle to the fury of his team-mates.

United almost punished Dons as Wilkie rose to bullet Robson's corner but Jamie Langfield pulled off a good save.

However, Aberdeen were in control and their swift one-touch interplay in midfield started to click.

Good work by de Visscher and Aluko released Maguire on the right and his cross was headed inches over the bar by Derek Young.

Then de Visscher turned delivery man to tee up Lee Mair - but United keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski made a superb block from close range. The Arabs were under pressure and Dons finally broke them down three minutes from half-time.

Young squared the ball for Aluko as he surged towards the box. His deft touch inside Darren Dods put him in the clear to smash a deadly finish past Szamotulski.

It was a cracking goal but United should have answered back moments later.

Morgaro Gomis slid the ball through for Robertson but he screwed his shot across goal and wide. A half-time switch saw United midfielder Willo Flood make way for Steven Robb and he was followed 10 minutes later by Mark Kerr in place of Gomis.

Two bookings, Karim Touzani for fouling Robson and Andrew Considine for felling Wilkie, summed up a spell when the Dons struggled to contain the visitors.

But they resumed control and twice came close to extending their lead inside 10 minutes.

First Aluko's floated cross to the back post found de Visscher diving in but again Szamotulski was there to block. Then there was a moment of brilliance from the Dutchman whose dazzling mazy run took him past two men and into the area - but his shot smashed against the bar.

Aluko pounced on the rebound but was blocked and crocked by the keeper and had to be replaced by Miller.

He was followed soon after by Jackie McNamara for Karim Touzani and United played their last card, defender Gary Kenneth for Robertson, while pushing stopper Wilkie into the striker's role.

All hell broke loose in the closing stages.Robson launched into a 77th-minute scything tackle on Maguire and as players waded in Wilkie and Barry Nicholson were booked.

Robson's dangerous two-footed lunge was given the straight red it deserved.

And Wilkie wasn't far behind him as a stupid second booking for persistent fouling sealed his fate three minutes from time.

As if United's day couldn't get worse Miller sealed the win with a rifled 25-yard effort that flashed low across Szamotulski and inside his right post.

KENNY CLARK atoned for a handful of frustrating calls to deliver the goods when the key decisions came up. The whistler was bang on when he issued red cards to United duo Barry Robson and Lee Wilkie. The Arabs should now look at the pair's indiscipline rather than vent anger at the match referee. Rating: 7/10.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 5

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 18

CORNER 5

BOOKINGS 3

SHOTS ON 2

SHOTS OFF 7

OFFSIDE 3

FOULS 19

CORNER 5

BOOKINGS 1