Aberdeen 3 - 0 Falkirk

Highlights available on RedTV on Monday.

After an exciting first 45 minutes at Pittodrie the second half could be filed in the 'instantly forgettable category'. It mattered little as the game had already been won in that opening spell when they raced into a three-goal lead. The first two came from Jamie Smith with a sweet volley in the 3rd minute and well-placed shot from the edge of the box after 22 minutes. Clark added the icing in the 33rd minute with a fierce low drive from the edge of the box. Falkirk had more possession after the break but neither side looked like adding to the scoring.

Falkirk kicked off and started strongly with Russell Latapy showing some of his silky skills on the wing. It was Aberdeen who struck first however when Lovell won the first corner of the match in the 3rd minute. Muirhead's delivery was only half cleared and Smith drilled the clearance into the net from 18 yards to claim his second Dons goal. Three minutes later Aberdeen went close again when Clark released Muirhead on the left. Unfortunately his cross fell behind the strikers and the danger was cleared. At the other end O'Donnell had Esson at full length with a fierce shot from distance.

McNaughton should have done better in the 12th minute when he released Jamie Smith and made his way into the penalty area to collect a return pass before drilling the effort wide. A minute later Glennon pulled of a great save to turn a net bound Scott Severin shot over the bar. Falkirk were still playing some nice football and McBreen went close with a snap shot in the 15th minute. Two minutes later they forced a corner and O'Donnell went close with another decent attempt. In the 20th minute Smith had a shot parried by Glennon that fell to Lovell in an offside position. Aberdeen then doubled their lead in the 22nd minute with another goal from Smith. The striker was given far too much space on the edge of the box and picked his spot before firing past Glennon.

Falkirk looked to have pulled one back in the 29th minute but their joy was short lived when the far side assistant raised his flag for offside. Aberdeen then rubbed salt in the wounds as they added a third in the 33rd minute when Clark collected a McNaughton pass, stepped to one side and drilled the ball low past Glennon from the edge of the box. Smith went close to claiming his hat trick in the 38th minute when strong play by Lovell saw the striker pull the ball back to Smith who delayed before drilling the ball inches wide. A minute later Lovell had his own opportunity 9 yards out but was eventually penalised as both he and the defender ended on the deck. Severin had another dig from distance in the 45th minute and it wasn't too far over the bar.

Unlike the opening period, the first five minutes of this half produced no goalmouth action although Aberdeen continued to dominate. More worryingly was the fact that both Severin and Diamond picked up early knocks although both were able to continue. Lima tried from distance in the 56th minute but it was well off target. Aberdeen immediately broke at the other end where Smith released McNaughton on the right and the full back attempted to chip the keeper, but sent the ball over the bar. A minute later Severin had another dig at goal and was only inches wide.

On the hour mark Clark made a telling tackle to deny Thomson and from the resulting corner Esson was in position to hold a fierce shot from the same player. Falkirk were now enjoying a lot more possession without causing too much concern at the back. After soaking up a lot of pressure Aberdeen carved out a wonderful chance in the 69th minute when Smith did well on the right and rolled the ball into the path of Severin who forced a fine save from the keeper. Two minutes later Dempsey replaced Lovell in an attempt to freshen things up. Winter then replaced Severin in the 82nd minute. In truth the second half never came close to reaching the level of the opening period, but the points were secure with Aberdeen not back at Pittodrie on league duty for another month.

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Match Stats:

		Dons	Falkirk
Goal Attempts		11	8
On Target		5	2
Corners		5	4
Possession		51%	49%

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