Shankland goal hands Dons victory

Peterhead 0

Aberdeen 1 | Shankland 61'

Pre-Season Friendly | Balmoor Stadium | 1pm | Full Time
 

Match report

One goal was enough for Aberdeen as they defeated League 2 champions, Peterhead at Balmoor in a dull game, devoid of too many chances.

The first half was a largely uneventful affair. Aberdeen dominated possession and had the better of what opportunities there were. Nicky Low had to receive treatment in the early stages after a hefty challenge. A short time later, Crag Murray tried a curling shot from the edge of the box which went just wide of the right hand post. On 22 minutes Jamie Masson's attempted effort at goal was well held by Graeme Smith in the Peterhead goal. After that, Declan McManus tried an ambitious shot which went well over the bar and a few seconds after that, Masson had another effort at goal- this time a powerful shot which was well headed clear by the Blue Toon defence.

On 31 minutes, Peterhead created their first real sight of goal when they won possession in midfield but Fraser McLaren hit the ball wildly over the bar. 6 minutes later, Craig Storie tried a long range shot which was well held by Smith and a few moments before the half time whistle, Nicky Low's free kick defected off a Peterhead player and into the arms of Smith as the first period ended goalless.

The Dons didn't make any personnel changes at half time and the game carried on in the same pattern however former Don, Jordon Brown did try a long range effort from the centre circle which dipped towards Scott Brown's goal but it had too much on it and bounced wide of the post.

Scott Wright replaced Craig Storie on 59 minutes and 2 minutes later The Dons took the lead. After working the ball into the box, Cammy Smith sent the ball across and Lawrence Shankland's touch caught Graeme Smith out and trundled over the line. Shankland then sent a header wide of the post after a good cross into the box before he was replaced by Scott McKenna on 74 minutes.

The Dons continued to dominate possession but didn't create too many other chances after that and the game ended 1-0. Not a classic.

Aberdeen team | Brown, Murray, Shaughnessy, Taylor, Considine, Storie (Wright 59'), Masson, Low, Smith, McManus, Shankland (McKenna 74')

Substitutes not used | Rogers, Rose, Campanile, Norris, Orsi