Robinson: Young side will learn
MOTHERWELL ............... 0 ABERDEEN ..................... 3
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson put the defeat to Aberdeen down to the youth of the Steelmen.
James Scott should have opened the scoring from the penalty spot at Fir Park, but Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis produced a top save to keep‘Well out.
Sam Cosgrove then netted his15th goal of the campaign while centre-back Peter Hartley was off the park receiving treatment.
Niall McGinn scored his second of the season and Zak Vyner completed an impressive showing for Derek McInnes’side.
The Fir Park gaffer felt the contest hinged on two massive early incidents.
Robinson said:“We dominated the first half and missed a penalty which gave them a lift.
“They took advantage when we were down to 10 men then our centre-half makes a poor decision for the goal.
“We could have been playing for the next 20 days and not scored. It was one of those games.
“We had young boys who made individual errors and will learn from it. We haven’t lambasted our lads. We’ll just get on with it.”
The Dons survived a scare before storming ahead. Shay Logan misjudged a backpass and Chris Long got to it before Lewis and went to ground.
With Long racing to intercept, Lewis’attempt at clearing the ball only succeeded in bringing down the‘Well striker and concede a penalty.
Lewis argued there was no contact and the keeper thrusting up an arm to divert James Scott’s effort from 12 yards over the bar.
James Wilson then tested Mark Gillespie with a powerful drive from 30 yards, which the‘Well ‘keeper comfortably beat away from his goal.
A minute later a similar thumping effort from Wilson crashed off Peter Hartley’s head forcing the ‘Well captain off the field for treatment.
Unable to continue and before Bevis Mugabi could take his place, Aberdeen had punished the 10 men to open the scoring.
Peter Hartley was off receiving attention to a head knock when Leigh set up Cosgrove to dink the opener past Mark Gillespie in 15 minutes.
Long hit a post from a tight angle before the Dons added a decisive second eight minutes after the break.
The Northern Irishman mugged Allan Campbell and set off towards Gillespie before curling into the top corner.
The Dons were in total control and Vyner made sure of the points on the hour when he turned beautifully 30 yards out and thundered in via Gillespie’s right-hand post.
‘Well continued to push as Devante Cole got the better of Scott McKenna, but Lewis was again the hero from six-yards out.
It was then Gillespie’s turn to produce a fine save low to his left, to deny Vyner a second goal and a fourth of the day.