The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Mackay-Steven and Stewart on the mark for Dons in Bosnia
Europa lEaguE: Aberdeen seal their place in third qualifying round
SIROKI BRIJEG 0 ABERDEEN 2 (1-3 ON AGG)
Greg Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven both netted their first Aberdeen goals as the Dons sealed Europa League progress with a 2-0 victory over Siroki Brijeg in Bosnia and Herzegovina last night.
Ryan Christie created both goals in the final 18 minutes to secure a 3-1 aggregate win and set up a third qualifying-round encounter with Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.
Aberdeen and the game itself only came alive in the final half hour and Derek McInnes’s side found the quality needed to avoid a hat-trick of instant exits for Scottish clubs in the competition following defeats for Rangers and St Johnstone in the opening round.
Joe Lewis was marginally the busier goalkeeper in the first half, seeing Ivan Kristanovic’s shot zip not far wide after an early corner and soon making what proved the only save of the half, comfortably catching a 25-yard strike.
The hosts committed 13 first-half fouls, skipper Josip Barisic the culprit on several occasions after his 25th-minute booking, as they frustrated Aberdeen.
Kenny McLean was well off target with a couple of long-range efforts and the whistle went for an obvious push when Andrew Considine hit the post with a header. There were no takers for Christie’s driven cross when the Dons finally got in behind their opponents just before the break.
Lewis dived to save a strike from Kristanovic before the Dons burst into life just before the hour mark.
Christie’s 22-yard strike was spilled before former Dundee star Stewart sliced the rebound wide, although he appeared to be fouled by Stipo Markovic in the process.
The game swung in Aberdeen’s favour moments later as Stewart was afforded some space in the channel to run on to Christie’s disguised pass and slot home with his right foot.
On-loan midfielder Christie was the provider again six minutes later with a brilliant angled pass to set up ex-Dundee United winger Mackay-Steven, who finished high into the far corner to send the Dons through.
Aberdeen: Lewis, Reynolds, O’ Connor,
Shinnie, Logan, Christie, McLean, Stewart (Tansey 75), Considine, Stockley (Maynarda 68), Mackay-Steven (Rooney 79). Subs not used – Rogers, Wright, Harvey, Storey.