Dons into Quarter Finals

Last updated : 06 November 2002 By David Maclennan
Leon Mike
Mike opens the scoring (pic courtesy of www.afc.co.uk)
ABERDEEN are through to the Quarter Finals of the CIS Insurance Cup after a comfortable win over Motherwell at Pittodrie tonight.

Dons boss Ebbe Skovdahl made two changes to the side beaten 7-0 at Parkhead on Sunday with fit again Peter Kjaer replacing David Preece in goal, and striker Leon Mike in for skipper Darren Young who dropped to the bench.

The Dons players, clearly out to make ammends for their weekend humiliation, attacked Motherwell at the start with Michie latching onto an Anderson through ball, before appearing to be fouled. Ref John Rowbotham didn't agree and waved play on. The Dons were dominant in the opening period with Derek Young and Scott Michie causing the Well defence plenty of trouble.

Motherwell should have opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Peter Kjaer spilled the ball to Kemas, who fired wide from 6 yards.

This sparked the Dons into life, and they forced a series of corners, however Motherwell dealt with all of them easily. The Dons took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when LEON MIKE netted his first goal of the season. After linking up with Derek Young, Mike made a powerful run and beat the defence to the ball before firing a low shot past Stevie Woods.

Just two minutes later and the Dons extended their lead through former Well player Eric Deloumeaux.
From a free kick the Dons played the ball to the Frenchman who fired a low 25 yard drive that Woods' failed to deal with to make it 2-0.

Deloumeaux has now scored twice for the Dons - both against his former club!

After that the Dons seemed to take their foot off the gas a bit, and Motherwell grabbed a lifeline in the 41st minute. After being awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal - former Dons player Derek Adams fired a superb free kick into the top corner of the net.

Hearts' Phil Stamp will be interested to hear that Adams was not booked for his celebration. The Well striker ran the full length of the pitch to the 140 Motherwell fans in the South Stand and jumped onto the barrier to celebrate.

Rather than allow Motherwell back into the game the Dons immediately renewed their 2 goal cushion.

A good ball played through by Mike was met by Scott Miche who rounded Stevie Woods to roll the ball into the empty net.

The Dons almost made it 4-1 just on half-time when Hammell cleared Derek Youngs net bound shot off the line.

Half-Time: Aberdeen 3 - 1 Motherwell

The second half was a somewhat dull affair - with not much happening at either end.

In the closing stages both Phil McGuire and sub Patrizio Billio came close to scoring.

Aberdeen Teamsheet: Kjaer, Rutkiewicz, Anderson, McGuire, McAllister, Fabiano, Bisconti, Derek Young, Deloumeaux, Mike, Michie.

Subs: Aberdeen : Darren Young for Derek Young (63), Tiernan for Anderson (68), Billio for Mike (75)