Aberdeen 3-0 Gretna

A troubled week for Gretna ended in defeat despite a spirited performance against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Black and Whites frustrated Jimmy Calderwood’s side for much of the game before two quick-fire goals put the result beyond doubt. 

They made the long trip north with somewhat of a depleted squad after the club went into administration.

Greg Fleming, Craig Barr, Chris Innes, Aurélien Collin, Mickael Buscher and John Paul Kissock opted to remain at home and they look set to leave the club.

Artur Krysiak, Rostyn Griffiths, Ben Wilkinson, Abdul Osman, Ryan Baldacchino and Henry Makinwa were promoted to the starting line-up in their place, while academy players helped fill the bench.

Despite the numerous changes, Gretna produced an organised display and withheld the early pressure from the hosts. 

Jeffrey de Visscher was first to threaten when he combined with Lee Miller on the edge of the box but his low drive failed to trouble Krysiak.

And following a contentious foul on the edge of the box, Chris Maguire curled a free-kick narrowly wide.

However, it was the visitors who should have opened the scoring when Baldacchino, making his first start in over two years, found Wilkinson in the box and his volley was parried by Derek Soutar and cleared to safety.

Aberdeen had struggled to break the resolute Gretna defence but they took the lead five minutes before half-time. Barry Nicholson capitalised on Kyle Naughton’s poor clearance and fed Maguire who stroked the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

The Dons pressed for a second goal after the break and skipper Scott Severin shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Gretna improved though, and enjoyed a good spell of possession without testing Soutar. The keeper was nearly punished for a momentary lapse however, when he tried to gather a high ball ahead of a cluster of bodies although he recovered just in time to prevent Baldacchino from taking advantage.

Both sides were lacking in creativity but Aberdeen doubled their lead midway through the half when Lee Miller was brought-down by Krysiak as he bore down on goal.

Referee Douglas McDonald wasted no time in pointing to the spot and Miller picked himself up to send the Gretna keeper the wrong way with the resultant penalty.

The Dons added a third just two minutes later when Barry Nicholson collected a pass from substitute Steve Lovell 20 yards from goal and arrowed an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

Gretna were under real pressure but respite almost came from substitute Nathan Taylor, who was handed his senior debut for the club.

The 17 year-old had a chance to mark his first appearance with a goal when Brendan McGill found him in space on the edge of the box but he dragged his shot wide of the target.

Aberdeen finished strongly as the game opened up and Lee Miller and Richard Foster both shot wide as they looked to add to their tally.

A touching gesture at the final whistle saw both sets of fans give the Gretna players a standing ovation as they left the pitch and given their response to the recent events, it was no more than they deserved.

Aberdeen: Soutar, Diamond, Severin (McNamara 76), Nicholson, Foster, Touzani (Aluko 46), Miller, Considine, Maguire (Lovell 46), De Visscher, Maybury. Subs not used: Langfield, Mackie, Mair, Walker.

Gretna: Krysiak, Griffiths, Naughton, Hall, Meynell, Wilkinson (Taylor 76), Osman (Skelton 46), Deverdics, McGill, Baldacchino, Makinwa (Hogg 65). Subs not used: Grant, Murray, Fisher, Shultz-Eklund.

Star Man: Danny Hall
The defender was handed the captain’s armband for the day and led by example with a determined display at the back. His experience was crucial in organising a young defence who performed admirably throughout and he produced several timely tackles, blocks and headers to help keep the Dons at bay.

Attendance: 9,025
Referee: Douglas McDonald