BBC SPORT | SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE (original) (raw)

Wednesday, 21 February, 2001, 23:24 GMT

Stavrum sees off St Mirren

Arild Stavrum scores Aberdeen's first penalty

Aberdeen 3-0 St Mirren

An Arild Stavrum hat-trick sealed the points for Aberdeen in this basement battle.

Stavrum's first came after a mistake by St Mirren keeper Ludovic Roy just before half-time.

The Norwegian striker added two penalties in the second half to secure the points for the Dons.

St Mirren enjoyed large parts of the possession, particularly in the first half, but, as so often this season, they had no cutting edge.

Within 90 seconds former Don Ricky Gillies was booked for a nasty challenge on Aberdeen full-back Kevin McNaughton.

Rowson and McNaughton challenge Fenton

Aberdeen missed an excellent chance on 12 minutes when Robbie Winters' corner caused chaos in the box and David Rowson's attempt was blocked on the line by Gillies.

Saints began to create some chances of their own, Gillies shooting wide.

A long kick-out from Ludovic Roy found its way through to Graham Fenton and the former Blackburn man's volley produced a fine save from Ryan Esson.

The Aberdeen defence were struggling to deal with St Mirren's threat from set pieces, but continued to ride their luck throughout the first half.

In a largely lacklustre match, Aberdeen were next to threaten when Winters made a strong run down the flank but Arild Stavrum's effort from his cut-back was blocked.

Penalty awards

With the home crowd starting to get restless, Aberdeen took the lead on 43 minutes.

Rachid Belabed fed Winters down the right this time, and when Roy fumbled his cross with Darren Young in close attendance, Stavrum leaped highest to nod the ball home in the resultant scramble.

Just after the restart McNaughton seemed to collide with Fenton when the St Mirren forward was in a dangerous position, but St Mirren's faint appeals were waved away.

McNaughton produced a fine save from Roy midway through the second half and then Belabed shot wide after some nice approach work.

But on 68 minutes Aberdeen got the killer second goal.

Winters was pushed by Scott Walker as he seemed set to latch on to a McNaughton cross, and referee George Clyde had no doubt about the penalty award.

Rachid Belabed clears in spectacular fashion

Stavrum coolly converted the kick, sending Roy the wrong way in the process.

Aberdeen continued to press to extend their advantage, and they almost got the third when Winters flicked a Rowson cross past Roy, only to see it rebound from the post.

On 84 minutes Aberdeen finally got a third goal, and it was a personal triumph for Stavrum, who recorded his first hat-trick in an Aberdeen shirt.

Again it came from the penalty spot. Winters broke from his own penalty box and fed Stavrum who was halted just inside the box by Roy.

Referee Clyde adjudged it a penalty and Stavrum picked himself up to knock the ball in the same spot past Roy, who had guessed right but could not prevent the goal.

Aberdeen: Esson, McAllister, Solberg, McGuire, McNaughton, Winters, Belabed, Darren Young, Rowson, Stavrum, Derek Young.

Subs: Peat, Guntveit, Lilley, Clark, Mackie.

St Mirren: Roy, Kerr, Baltacha, Walker, Nicolson, Murray, McKenzie, Gillies, Rudden, Fenton, Yardley.

Subs: Scrimgour, McGarry, Dagnogo, McGowan, Quitongo.

Referee: G Clyde

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