Manchester United loan star James Wilson fires Aberdeen to victory

On loan Manchester United striker James Wilson netted just six minutes into his first Aberdeen start to secure a 1-0 win over Motherwell.

It was an explosive Pittodrie debut for the Old Trafford centre-forward who returned from a hamstring injury to go straight into the starting line-up for the first time.

The 22-year-old former England U21 international left the pitch to a standing ovation from the Red Army when substituted on the hour mark.

Manchester United star Wilson was one of four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with St Johnstone .

Wilson partnered Sam Cosgrove , back into the starting line-up , in a two man attack.

Stevie May, the £400,000 signing from Preston last summer, dropped to the bench.

Also coming into the starting team were Dominic Ball and Mikey Devlin who had been ruled out of the Perth trip through suspension.

Aberdeen had been crying out for goals this seson and a scoring hero and it took just six minutes of his first start for  WILSON to emphatically hammer home that he could be that man.

Wilson lurked on the shoulder of the defender and then perfectly judged his run to collect a through ball from Niall McGinn.

He then unleashed a superb low left footed shot along the face of goal, beyond keeper Trevor Carson for an immediate impact.

It was the perfect start for Wilson and for the Dons against a team that had caused so many problems last season.

Motherewell knocked Aberdeen out of both the Scottish Cup and League Cup last season with damaging 3-0 defeats.

In the 21st minute Carl McHugh unleashed a vicious 25 yard shot that clipped the joint of the cross-bar and the post with keeper Joe Lewis beaten.

Motherwell were denied a clear penalty when Andy Considine took down Nick Frear in the box.

Considine appeared to make contract with Frear but referee Nick Walsh adjudged he had won the ball and awarded a corner.

It was a let off for the Dons.

Latching onto a Shinnie cross from the left Cosgrove headed across goal and wide in the 39th minute.

 

 

It the 51st minute Frear fired in a powerful drive from 35 yards and keeper Joe Lewis had to react quickly to block.

Goal hero Wilson was substituted just after the hour mark with Bruce Anderson coming on. It was a case of job done for the Old Trafford centre-forward.

Moments later Mackay-Steven drilled in a low 25 yard drive that keeper Carson fumbled and was lucky when it skidded wide for a corner.

Racing up-field with intent McGinn unleashed a low shot but it took a deflection that sent it spinning into keeper’s Carson’s grasp.

Aberdeen should have increased their advantage in the 77th minute when bursting upfield on the counter attack.

With Motherwell struggling to regroup Mackay-Steven slide a pass to substitute Bruce Anderson but the young striker fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

Keeper Lewis produced a superb diving save in the 90th minute to push a Chris Cadden effort around the post. It saved the win for Aberdeen.

ABERDEEN: Lewis, Logan, Shinnie, Considine, McKenna, Wilson, McGinn, Mackay-Steven, Cosgrove, Devlin, Ball.

Subs: Anderson (for Wilson 61), Campbell (for McGinn 82), Lowe (for Cosgrove 87).

Subs not used: Cerny, Forrester, Gleeson, May.

MOTHERWELL: Carson, Johnson, Hartley, McHugh, Aldred, Campbell, Donnelly, Frear, Bigirimana, Tait, Sammon.

Subs: Cadden (for Donnelly 46), Bowman (for Sammon 53), Turnbull (for Hartley 55).

Subs not used: Gillespie,  Grimshaw, Maguire, Taylor-Sinclair.

Referee: Nick Walsh