Aberdeen 0
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

For the first match of the new year John Clark took over from Miodrag Krivokapic in defence with Hamish French coming back to the attack after injury whilst Darren Jackson dropped back into midfield. Until Aberdeen's win at Tannadice in November, there had been a growing trend for the home side to come off best in the 'New Firm' derbies. Although we have a very good record at Pittodrie we hadn't won in the Granite City since February 1989. After the high scoring affair at Tannadice, both sides reverted to a more systematic approach. Billy McKinlay tried a long range effort from John Clark's tap inside and then Alan Main saved Alex McLeish's header from a corner in the opening exchanges. Hamish French soon won our first corner and it brought us instant reward. McKinlay's corner found Darren Jackson in space, he hit an angled drive which Snelders saved but couldn't hold and Christian Dailly popped over the line. A minute later Darren Jackson shot just past as we kept up the momentum after a shot from MixuPaatelainen was blocked. Snelders then comfortably held a header from Mixu Paatelainen. Five minutes from the interval Alan Main saved well from Irvine in one of the few direct shots on goal by the Dons. Christian Dailly had two efforts early in the second half. The first was a long range effort, but his grounder was easily collected by Snelders then the youngster hit a shot from an acute angle, but it was a shade too high.

It was during a five minute spell midway through the second half that Aberdeen had their best attacking spell. First Irvine shot past the near post from a Jess cross. Then Mason snatched a shot past the near post from a low Gillhaus cross. A netbound shot from Mason was stopped by Maurice Malpas with Alan Main beaten and then Van De Ven turned over Gillhaus's cross as Aberdeen continued to squander their chances. At the other end a Christian Dailly shot was blocked after Jimmy McInally created the opening. Ten minutes from time, a timely block by Freddy Van Der Hoorn prevented Bett from scoring at the near post. Before the end, however, Darren Jackson found himself homing in on goal, but lost control and Snelders collected the loose ball. So the New Year got off to an excellent start and this win brought us to within a point of Aberdeen who occupied second place in the table.