Aberdeen manager Alex Miller's already precarious position was placed under
serious threat tonight by a total capitulation against Kilmarnock at Rugby
Park.
Life goes from bad to farce for Aberdeen who were comprehensively outplayed by
a Killie side who illustrated their title credentials with an assured showing.
But it was the relegation potential of the Dons that was most telling as they
fell behind as early as the sixth minute to a fortunate Ally Mitchell effort.
It was an unlucky break as Mitchell benefited from a kind rebound, but
thereafter Miller's beleagured troops made life difficult for themselves through
inept defending.
Mitchell struck his second after 34 minutes before Jerome Vareille made it 3-0
ahead of an interval that could not stem the tide, Paul Wright's penalty
sidefooted in for a resounding 66th minute fourth.
Miller recalled transfer-listed John Inglis in a vain bid to bolster his
struggling defence with summer capture from Dundee United Mark Perry making
way.
Both teams were involved in 0-3 scorelines last week, but while Kilmarnock won
by that margin at Dunfermline to stay second, Aberdeen remained ninth after a
home reverse to Dundee United.
Mike Newell was demoted to the bench by under-pressure Miller who offered
youngster Dennis Wyness a rare start as the Dons tried but failed to improve a
record that now reads 11 wins in their past 43 games.
The Aberdeen support stayed behind to vent their anger at Miller last week,
today the majority of the Pittodrie faithful stayed at home with a low
travelling contingent.
The Dons might have moved ahead in the opening minute when Eoin Jess' flick
released Robbie Winters on the right, but his angled drive was beaten away by
Gordon Marshall.
Yet after just six minutes Kilmarnock were ahead, an Ian Durrant pass finding
Gus MacPherson on the right whose cross picked out Wright.
The striker mishit his effort but the ball spun over the head of Jim Leighton
and against the bar before the rebound fell kindly for Mitchell to nod the home
side 1-0 up.
Wright sent an ambitious chip just wide of the angle after 15 minutes as
Kilmarnock settled into a rhythm that Aberdeen appeared unable to contain.
After 23 minutes, the stylish Durrant fired narrowly wide from distance with a
first time strike that had veteran Leighton scrambling to cover.
Aberdeen midfielder Pepper might have done better after 27 minutes when he
miskicked a through ball from David Rowson that invited a connection from close
range.
Pepper needed treatment on the half-hour after being struck by a powerful Mark
Reilly shot from the edge of the area with a Kilmarnock appeal for handball
rejected.
Mitchell struck his and Kilmarnock's second goal after 34 minutes after
Vareille burst down the right battling past Derek Whyte before squaring for his
colleague to rifle home.
After 38 minutes, Kilmarnock incredibly made it 3-0 when Inglis lost
possession to Wright and Durrant set up Vareille who clipped the ball over the
advancing Leighton from a fine angle.
It capped a woeful first-half for Aberdeen whose under-performing players
seemed unable to respond to Miller's promptings to the point where Kilmarnock's
task was made all too straightforward.
Aberdeen, a dismal 3-0 down at half-time, took off the ineffectual Wyness and
put on Russell Anderson as they sought respectability at least from the
contest.
Kilmarnock's confidence was embodied just two minutes after the restart when
MacPherson volleyed just wide of the mark from a full 25-yards.
On the hour mark, Mitchell's industry worked him into a position to find
Durrant on the opposite flank, but Leighton was equal to a well-struck shot from
the former Rangers man.
With the match effectively won, Kilmarnock were able to relax, their only
danger complacency, and from a Martin Baker cross, Vareille volleyed wide
without breaking stride.
Kilmarnock moved a stunning 4-0 in front with a Wright penalty after 66
minutes given for Winters' needless push on Holt following a deep cross from
MacPherson.
With 15 minutes remaining, Aberdeen spurned a gift from keeper Marshall whose
miskick presented Winters with an open goal he scooped his strike over the bar.
Kilmarnock even allowed themselves the luxury of a triple substitution with
Durrant offered a standing ovation for his inspirational role in a one-sided
triumph.
The question now is whether the Aberdeen board will keep patience with Miller
who after a year in charge has been unable to take the troubled team forward,
indeed they remain firmly in reverse.
Teams
Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Montgomerie, McGowne, Reilly,
Holt, Wright (Roberts 80), Durrant (Mahood 80), Mitchell,
Vareille (McCoist 80), Baker.
Subs Not Used: Bagan, Strain.
Goals: Mitchell 6, 34, Vareille 38, Wright 66 pen.
Aberdeen: Leighton, Whyte, Pepper (Good 81), Inglis, Smith, Jess,
Dow, Buchan (Newell 81), Rowson, Wyness (Anderson 45), Winters.
Subs Not Used: Stillie, Hart.
Booked: Pepper, Smith, Jess.
Att: 9,875
Ref: H Dallas (Motherwell).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook