Aberdeen U19s 0 Cove Rangers 2

An Aberdeen U19 side went down 2-0 to Cove Rangers this afternoon in an entertaining game at Balgownie in front of a large crowd.

Although it was a very young Dons side and their first pre-season game they put in a very encouraging performance against the Highland League Champions.

The Dons were without Scott Ross and Stirling Smith who travelled with the first team to Austria. Ryan Jack, Anthony Bolger, Paddy Barrett, Nicky Clark and Conor Devaney were all unavailable due to injury.

Trialist Michael Dunlop was given a chance to impress as he started in central defence.

The first half was very even with Aberdeen having the better of the chances. Mitch Megginson came closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the bar.

In the second half the game continued to be very even. Jack Grimmer was unlucky with a superb long range effort which smacked the bar with the keeper beaten. Nicky Low and Fraser Fyvie both had chances from the rebound but the defenders just managed to clear the danger. Nicky Low then weaved his way past everyone in the box but his shot was cleared off the line.

On 66 minutes came the games turning point. Callum McRobbie was fouled not once but twice in the box. Even although young Callum appeared to be rugby tackled the referee said no penalty and Cove went up the other end and scored. Stephen hitting a good shot which went in off the post, giving stand in captain Scott Bain no chance.

Towards the later stages both teams made a number of changes and the game lost a bit of momentum. Cove grabbed a second on 80 minutes when substitute Heads also hit a shot in off the post.

After the game Neil Cooper spoke to RedWeb "I thought the boys done very well. Cove are a good side so it was a good test for us. I was delighted with the performance, the shape, the passing.

"It was the first time some of the guys have played together so it was encouraging to see the way they linked up. We have a number of players carrying small knocks so we brought in the likes of Michael Dunlop on trial who did well in defence. The back four did a good job and I have no complaints with them over the two goals as they were both good goals.

"Jack Grimmer is still at school but he did very well for us, as he did when he played last season. His performance levels are always high and he has a good attitude. I would have no qualms about putting him in the side this year."

Aberdeen: Bain (Lukasik 80), Jarvis, Robertson, Fyvie, Shaunghnessy, Dunlop, McRobbie (Gibson 74), Hansson, Grimmer (Masson 59), Megginson, Low (Brown 74)