Aberdeen 3-0 FK Ventspils: Dons leave it late but take advantage in Europa League qualifier

Aberdeen left it late but took a 3-0 advantage from their Europa League second qualifying round first-leg tie against FK Ventspils.

Jayden Stockley, the 22-year-old striker who signed from Bournemouth this summer, notched his first goal for the Dons on 72 minutes when he headed home Jonny Hayes' cross from close range.

Adam Rooney, about to begin his third season at Pittodrie, slotted in the second four minutes later from Ryan Jack's ball into the box.

And another newcomer, Wes Burns, who has joined on a season-long loan from Bristol City, came off the bench to notch the third in stoppage time. 

Latvian side Ventspils started brightly and should have taken the lead after 24 minutes when Nikita Kolesovs found himself unmarked inside the box with the goal to aim for, but he could not control the ball.

Niall McGinn then had the hosts' best chance of the first half when the Ventspils 'keeper fumbled his shot on the line and needed Kolesovs to boot the ball clear.

Aberdeen looked more and more assured as the game wore on, and struck two blows to the away side within four minutes of each other through Stockley and Rooney, who was named the man of the match.

And Burns scored with his first touch in 92nd minute when he headed home a McGinn corner.