Aberdeen vs St Mirren. Scottish Premiership.
Pittodrie.
Report and match highlights to follow as Aberdeen and St Mirren draw 0-0 in the Scottish Premiership; high winds caused havoc as both teams struggled to create chances at Pittodrie; Derek McInnes' side have only won one of their last nine league games
Saturday 13 February 2021 20:40, UK
Under-pressure Aberdeen and St Mirren played out a goalless draw at a weather-affected Pittodrie, with neither side able to overcome the testing conditions.
Aberdeen, who are now without a win in five games, handed a start to deadline-day signing Florian Kamberi after his paperwork barriers were finally cleared almost a fortnight after the Dons announced his capture.
But it was St Mirren, playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, who had the best of the early stages, and Ryan Flynn saw an early effort come off the chest of Aberdeen 'keeper Joe Lewis from point-blank range.
The wind, combined with a difficult pitch, made neat football a near impossibility, and anything in the air largely turned into catching practice for the two goalkeepers.
However, Lewis had to be alert to tip an Ilkay Durmus free-kick over the bar midway through the first half as his intended cross swung towards goal.
The hosts were being reduced to efforts from distance, but Fraser Hornby could perhaps have done more to make contact with a left-wing cross that just evaded him after 25 minutes.
Kamberi had an effort that drew a save from Jak Alnwick, albeit of the comfortable variety as his 20-yard strike proved easy meat for the former Rangers man.
There was some concern for St Mirren on the half hour as a stray boot from Hornby caught defender Conor McCarthy full in the face, but after lengthy treatment the Irishman was able to continue.
With chances at a premium, a goalless half-time scoreline always seemed likely, and so it would prove, and the second half did not get much better.
Hornby sent a 30-yard free-kick sailing well wide of the target after 54 minutes following a foul on Matty Kennedy, but again the conditions prevented either side creating clear-cut chances.
Both sides threw caution to the wind in the final 10 minutes, with Buddies substitute Kyle McAllister testing Lewis with a 20-yard free-kick.
Aberdeen immediately responded with a Ross McCrorie cross from the right causing mayhem in the visitors' box, but ultimately some desperate defending saw the danger cleared.
And Saints had another chance, Dean Campbell's foul allowing Cammy MacPherson to send a free-kick to the back post, where Jon Obika's header saw Lewis scramble to claw the effort away.
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes: "It was tough conditions for the players. That was pretty close to being unplayable at those times. In those types of games it was about the concentration levels
"Both sets of players adapted well and did as well as they could. Chances were at a premium and the longer these games go the harder they get.
"We're trying to change the flow of the season, to get more goals and today wasn't the kind of day to be judging that."
St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin: "It was a horrendous game of football. It was always going to be difficult, never going to be pretty.
"We told the players it would be a test of character and both sets of players handled it well. There was no lack of commitments but it wasn't a great spectacle for those watching at home.
"Wednesday night [against Celtic] it was disappointing to lose the four goals and I was really disappointed. It's a great reaction today. It was a really professional performance right throughout the team."
What's next?
Aberdeen travel to Glasgow on Wednesday night to face Celtic in a 6pm kick-off, while St Mirren host Hamilton at the same time.
