McGinn and Pawlett goals seal victory for the Dons

Aberdeen 2 | McGinn 50′ Pawlett 60′

FC Twente 0 |

Pre Season Friendly | Pittodrie Stadium | FT | 7.30 K.O. | Att: 7,336

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RedWeb match report

Aberdeen defeated Dutch outfit, FC Twente on a bright and warm Friday evening at Pittodrie in front of a crowd of 7,336. The visitors dominated the first half and created several great chances but the Dons got themselves more into the match in the second period and scored two good goals through Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett. New loan signing Michael Hector- who only completed his deal earlier in the day- made his debut at centre back alongside Mark Reynolds.

And he could have got his Aberdeen career off to a flying start inside just 2 minutes. The Dons won a corner down the right which was swung in dangerously by Johnny Hayes and Hector got his head to it but saw the effort crash off the upright and cleared to safety.

The early stages of the game then fell into a bit of a lull with a clear pre-season feel to it but around 20 minutes in, FC Twente upped the pressure on the home side and came close after the ball had bounced around the box with players frantically trying to get a touch. At the other end the Dons did manage the occasional foray into the Twente box. On 28 minutes good play by McGinn set Magennis in behind the Twente defence but as he bore down on goal the visiting goalkeeper came rushing out to put him off and a defender nipped in to clear the danger.

It was Twente who continued to attack for the next while and they missed a glorious chance on 31 minutes- Castignos somehow contriving to miss from 5 yards out. A few minutes later new signing Hector saved the Dons as he diverted a dangerous cross over the bar when danger was lurking behind him. 7 minutes later Gutierrez shot just over and just before the half time break Dario Tanda curled an effort round the post as Twente ended the first period on top.

HT 0-0

The Dons made a couple of substitutions at the interval with Peter Pawlett and Barry Robson replacing Nicky Low and Jamie Masson. The changes made a real difference and within 5 minutes Aberdeen were ahead when Clark Robertson sent in a looping cross to the back post which Niall McGinn did superbly well to head againstthe inside of the far post and into the net, despite leaning backwards.

A short time later, Aberdeen broke again when neat play from Ryan Jack found McGinn who stepped through the defence and ran in on goal but was thwarted by the Twente keeper who palmed away for a corner.

The home side weren’t to be denied for long though and on the hour mark doubled their advantage when Peter Pawlett picked up on a loose clearance from the Twente defence, raced into the box and fired the ball into the far corner of the net.

After the second goal the game remained an entertaining affair with a few half chances for both sides. Joshua John fired just over the cross bar as Twente looked to get themselves back into it before both sides made a raft of substitutions. Wylde, Vernon and Murray all came on for the Dons replacing Hayes, Magennis and Hector.

McGinn then forced the Twente keeper into another fine save before Craig Storie replaced Ryan Jack. Lawrence Shankland came on for Niall McGinn with a few moments left to make his Pittodrie debut but there were to be no more goals and the Dons ran out 2-0 winners over a good FC Twente side to end their pre-season campaign on a high.

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RedImages | please click here

Quotes from the press room | click here

RedTV | The goals | click here

RedTV | Derek McInnes reaction | click here

RedTV | New signing Michael Hector | click here

RedTV | Theo Snelders | click here

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Aberdeen | Langfield. Shaughnessy, Robertson (off- 87′), Hector (off- 65′), Reynolds, Jack (off- 81′), Masson (off- 45′), Low (off- 45′), McGinn, (off- 89′) Hayes (off- 65′), Magennis (off- 65′),

Subs: Weaver, Robson (on- 45′), Wylde (on-65′), Vernon (on- 65′), Shankland (on- 89′), Storie (on- 81′), McKenna (on- 87′), Smith, Murray (on- 65′), Pawlett (on- 45′), O’Neill, Rumsby, McManus

FC Twente | Marsman, Koppers, Wisgerhof, Bengtsson, Janssen, Castaignos, John, Rosales, Gutierrez, Promes

Subs | Boschker, Kuiper, Pelupessy, Zschusschen, Bouma, Breukers, Roseler, Fillinger, Mannes, Vida, Born