Recap
The Dons returned to action following the international break with an emphatic win against Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon, despite a continued host of injuries and suspensions.
Derek McInnes was forced to make five changes to his starting line-up from the team that drew with Hibs a fortnight ago. That ultimately put Twitter into meltdown again – formation bingo was the order of the day to figure out what the formation would be. The answer, a 4-2-3-1.
Lewis Ferguson and Curtis Main were suspended for this one. Dean Campbell and Ryan Hedges were on the bench and Ethan Ross was dropped from the team, but it did see a welcome return to the bench from long term absentee, Stephen Gleeson.
In came to the starting line-up was Zak Vyner, James Wilson, Jon Gallagher, Niall McGinn and Mikey Devlin.
Both teams came out of the block with all guns firing, but our opening period could have turned sour fairly quickly after Motherwell were awarded a penalty after Joe Lewis tripped Chris Long. It wasn’t a penalty, but Euan Anderson decided otherwise. Luckily James Scott’s spot kick was saved by Joe Lewis after tipping the shot over the bar.
Ten minutes later, Sam Cosgrove scored his 15th goal of the season after picking up a Greig Leigh through ball which he put beyond Mark Gillespie.
Motherwell tried everything to penetrate the Dons defence through the remainder of the first half but it wasn’t to be, equally we were quick on the counter attack when those moments opened up for us.
Niall McGinn celebrated his 80th goal with for Aberdeen have putting the Dons 2-0 up in the 53rd minute putting his shot in the top right corner of the net.
Then to top the afternoon off, Zak Vyner scored a third on the hour, firing his shot from 25 yards out and into the Well goal.
Andy Considine came close towards the end of the game, however the threat from Motherwell petered out as the game ended with a win for Aberdeen.
It’s an encouraging start and much needed win for Derek McInnes following the international break, with Celtic next up at Pittodrie next Sunday.
