Aberdeen 1 – 0 Motherwell
27/04/2024 19:29
Ten-man Motherwell came away from Pittodrie empty-handed after a 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen.
A closely-fought encounter in the Granite City ultimately edged in favour of the hosts following a decisive straight red card to Motherwell striker Jack Vale, with Aberdeen netting the opener immediately from the resulting free-kick.
Keen to mathematically secure their Premiership status, the visitors started firmly on the front-foot and came close to capitalising on their early momentum within the opening phase of play. Dogged wing-play by Jack Vale enticed the overlapping Stephen O’Donnell but his low shot was diverted clear by the feet of Kelle Roos.
Aberdeen responded with a chance of their own, as Junior Hoilett wrong-footed the Motherwell backline, cutting in off the left-wing, but the forward couldn’t apply the finishing touches from the curling right-footed attempt.
Neither side could establish a rhythm as the first-half progressed, with both trading possession in either third of the pitch.
Dons’ American midfielder Dante Polvara nearly gifted his side the opener shortly before the break, but his ambitious strike fizzed narrowly above the crossbar, ensuring both sides went into the half-time break goalless.
The home side flooded the Motherwell penalty area within the opening minutes of the second-half, as Peter Leven’s side chased the opener and their efforts were almost rewarded, but for some heroics from Lennon Miller.
Angus MacDonald pushed forward for a corner and executed a perfectly-struck volley which sailed beyond the reach of Kelly but Miller was on hand to head clear on the line.
Moments later the game turned on its head as the Steelmen were reduced to ten-men. A cross-field ball sailed over Jack Vale’s shoulder and as he went to volley clear, Jack MacKenzie muscled into the close pocket of space catching the studs of Vale who initially made contact with the ball.
Despite the adamant pleas of the Motherwell players, the referee dismissed the visitors claims, leaving Vale to head back to the dressing room.
Things went from bad to worse from the resulting free-kick, as Aberdeen’s Stefan Gartenmann headed home from a floated delivery across the face of goal.
10-man Motherwell toiled in the second-half, with chances from Bair, Ebiye and Spittal all coming close, but the demand of playing against 11-men ultimately decided the contest, with Aberdeen retaining the three points.
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