Aberdeen 1-0 Kilmarnock
Pittodrie
SPFL 12/09/20
Ross McCrorie scored his first goal for Aberdeen in front of three hundred fans who were part of a test event to allow supporters back into stadiums.
Ross McCrorie finished superbly from Scott Wright’s cross in the only goal of the game.
Alex Dyer’s side will feel hard done by coming away from Pittodrie empty handed. Kilmarnock created a host of chances, the closest being a Rory McKenzie shot that Scott McKenna did well to clear off the line.
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No glitches in supporter’s return
It seems the return of supporters at both Aberdeen Kilmarnock and Ross County Celtic went off without a hitch.
There were numerous rules set in place to ensure the safety of six hundred fans lucky enough to attend the games in person.
Track and trace and temperatures were taken, and supporters weren’t allowed to chant or shout during the match.
Top four emerge after Saturday’s round of fixtures
Aberdeen weren’t as richly rewarded as they would have liked having stretched their win streak to four in a row in the league and five in all competitions.
Even though the Dons picked up maximum points today, all their nearest rivals also picked up three vital points in what looks like an enthralling top four breakaway developing at the head of the league.
Rangers, Hibs and Celtic all recorded heavy wins to reaffirm themselves in their positions; first, second and third respectively.
McInnes: “It was important the fans saw us win”
Derek McInnes has now led his side to five wins on the bounce.
The Dons manager said you can start to see the confidence in the players as the momentum builds, but more important than that the win was dedicated to the three hundred fans who were allowed to enter the stadium and watch Aberdeen from the stands.
McInnes told the BBC after the game: “Firstly an appreciation to the supporters who were here. We knew they were in the ground from the off. I think they appreciated a lot of the good play that we had and the real speed of our team.
“It wasn’t lost on us today the importance of letting the fans see us win. After waiting so long it was good to give them the three points.”
Alex Dyer rued the chances his side missed having seemingly turned a corner with his team when they bagged their first win of the season just before the international break, beating Dundee United four-nil.
Dyer said of the game: “I thought we played well enough to get something. We had them on the back foot a bit but just couldn’t capitalise and finish off the good work we did.”
Killie haven’t scored against Aberdeen in the league for almost two years
If you were a betting man you would have put your money on the Dons today.
The last time Killie won at Pittodrie was over two years ago (a two-nil win on the 1st September 2018).
Killie haven’t scored against Aberdeen in the league since November 2018. It’s now 7 games the Ayrshire giants haven’t hit the back of the net against the Dons in the SPL.
Aberdeen have won 63 of the 109 times the two sides have met at Pittodrie and 110 of the 226 times the sides have played all together.
Dons were unbeaten in last eight in the league against Killie and ten in all competitions coming into the match.
Whilst the Don’s won, the game didn’t produce the fire works of the Scottish Cup replay in February when Aberdeen came away from Rugby Park 4-3 winners.
That aggregate score was one off matching the record between the two sides set in the 1932/33 season when Aberdeen beat Killie 7-1.
Man of the match: Ross McCrorie
Referred to as a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a player by his manager last week, the Rangers loanee is settling into the Aberdeen team with assurance and aplomb.
Aberdeen, 3-4-3: Lewis (c), Hoban, Considine, McKenna, Hedges, Hayes, Ferguson, Wright, Kennedy, McCrorie, Watkins
Subs: Cerny, Logan, Ojo, Main, McGinn, Taylor, McGeouch, McLennan, Anderson
Kilmarnock, 4-4-2: Rodgers, Millen, Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters, Burke, Tshibola, Dicker, Kiltie, Brophy, Kabamba
Subs: McGowan, Haunstrup, Dikamona, McKenzie, Whitehall, Rossi, Doyle, Pinnock, Cameron
Goals: McCrorie 16’
Up next
The Dons are back in Europa League action on Thursday, heading across to Stavanger to face FK Viking in the second qualifying round for the group stages of the Europa League. 1930 KO.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 