Red-hot Dons earn perfect Cup boost
RUTHLESS Aberdeen showed no mercy to 10-man County and ensured they will take the hot form of four consecutive league victories to Hampden for next weekend’s Betfred Cup semi-final against Championship side Morton.
Same personnel, same result as before the international games. Aberdeen dismantled Kilmarnock two weeks ago and did not break stride as James Maddison and Jonny Hayes tormented the visitors here to inspire another four-goal success.
Hayes, Shay Logan, Niall McGinn and Jayden Stockley shared the goals around as full advantage was taken of a 21st-minute red card shown to County’s Tim Chow.
‘Since we won that Dundee game late on, we’ve had that killer instinct about us,’ said manager Derek McInnes. ‘We’re enjoying winning, the players are working extremely hard and the individual form of some of them has certainly gone up. In fact, it has been excellent.
‘That was a good day’s work in difficult conditions for both sets of players. It was good to score four goals against a good team. When the semi-final draw was made, I said it’s important that the Cup goes to one side, but important that we get good league form going into it.’
The only sour note McInnes had to report was that Ash Taylor is a doubt for next weekend with a thigh injury. A scan tomorrow will determine how long the Dons will be without their centre-half.
Mark Reynolds replaced the Englishman after six minutes and had few problems on a day that Aberdeen’s action men dominated.
County secured stalemates at Ibrox and Tynecastle on successive Saturdays last month. The prospect of a hat-trick of hard-fought draws on the road was blown apart midway through the half. Losing a goal then a man within a couple of minutes caused irreparable damage.
Marcus Fraser’s outstretched leg caught a chunk of the ball as Hayes fired across goal from the left. The touch deceived keeper Scott Fox to give the Irishman a third goal of the season.
Before a semblance of composure could be regained, Chow’s dangerous two-footed challenge on Hayes right in front of referee Craig Thomson handed Aberdeen a personnel advantage. A furious Graeme Shinnie gave Chow a push. Thomson gave the County midfielder a red card.
There were no complaints from his disappointed manager. ‘It was a silly challenge and he’s got to learn,’ said Jim McIntyre. ‘He jumped in with two feet and you can’t do that. He has apologised. We have some good honest lads here.’
That was the third dismissal for a County player in the last five league games. The extra man was perfect for Aberdeen’s schemer Maddison.
Perhaps they do not have wind and rain in Norfolk since Maddison was prepared for a grotty day by sporting a set of gloves that he ditched at half-time.
His sublime touches, combined with the movement of Hayes and McGinn, hinted at a horrible afternoon for the visitors long before they fell behind.
And fair play to the teenager for staying on his feet when contact in the box from Fraser could easily have earned his team a penalty.
His reward was a delightful part in the second Dons goal as, following his sweet exchange with Shinnie, Maddison remained upright in the area. When County failed to clear his delivery, Logan tucked home at the back post.
A Hayes set-piece then rattled the crossbar as Aberdeen could smell blood. They would need to wait until after the break to make the kill.
County had scored only seven goals in this league campaign and the man who accounted for six of them was nursing a knee knock.
With Liam Boyce absent and Alex Schalk joining him on the sidelines, Craig Curran led the line.
And it was just before half-time that County rued missing chances which could have knocked some off the swagger out of the hosts.
A bustling run and fierce left-foot drive from Michael Gardyne brought a fine save out of Joe Lewis and the same player cracked the crossbar.
‘Taking just one of those chances at the tail end of the half could have energised us but with the type of players Aberdeen have, they are always going to create,’ said McIntyre. Warnings handed out, Aberdeen ensured they were careful with possession in the second period.
With Maddison probing and Hayes always on the move, it was only a matter of time before County crumbled again.
Shinnie released Logan down the right flank. McGinn peeled off to welcome the cutback, then crafted an angle to slam the ball past Fox.
The odd man out, strangely, was top scorer Adam Rooney. In the first half alone, the Irishman had a goal disallowed, could not keep a header down when meeting a perfect McGinn delivery and then saw Fox bat away another header.
What did McInnes tell us in the summer about providing more options and support for Rooney? He was true to his word. Now Aberdeen
do not rely on their No1 marksman to plunder a winning goal.
Rooney’s replacement on 71 minutes, Stockley, added the fourth when pouncing on a loose ball in the box.
Credit to Stockley, said McInnes, for his graft during the international break. He trained with the Under-20s while his more illustrious team-mates were away and his boss added: ‘I was delighted to see him come on and score, that’s his reward. Our subs are making an impact.’