Deveronvale 1 (Harris 51) Aberdeen U20s 0  – Scott Fraser Testimonial Match – Tuesday 19th July 2016

A slightly disappointing game in Banff saw the Young Dons lose out to a second half Gary Harris goal in the testimonial match to honour Deveronvale stalwart Scott Fraser.

Paul Sheerin’s side showed five changes from Saturday’s starting eleven at Inverurie. Sam Robertson, Toby Wells, Joe MacPherson, Joe Nuttall and Bruce Anderson were all drafted in to a powerful looking lineup.

Both teams started the game brightly, pushing forward at every opportunity. Testimonial man Scott Fraser was in the thick of the action showing some no nonsense defensive skills as the Dons probed for an opening.

After 16 minutes Toby Wells sent in an inviting cross from the left but it was just too far in front of Joe Nuttall at the far post. Shortly afterwards, Bruce Anderson was inches over with a powerful drive from 20 yards.

There were loud shouts from the large home support for a penalty after Craddock and Ballard clashed as they went for a long ball but the referee wasn’t interested.

Ballard was forced off after suffering a hand injury when he collided with the keeper.

Former Don Kevin Souter was inches away from breaking the deadlock in 35 minutes when his 15 yard left foot effort slipped narrowly past Craddock’s right hand post.                

Frank Ross was a constant threat to the home defence and he shot just wide before creating an opening for Nuttall but the striker couldn’t keep his effort down.

Gary Harris scored the game’s only goal six minutes after the break. Scott Fraser won a header at the back post following a left wing corner and, after a couple of efforts were blocked, the striker, on the ground, stuck out a foot to divert the ball into the net.

The game was extremely competitive for a testimonial match and a clash between Forbes and Nuttall saw both players yellow carded.

Kevin Souter forced a brilliant save from Craddock just after the hour mark as the keeper dived full length to his right to keep out the midfielder’s 20 yard piledriver.

Referee Proctor angered both dugouts with some of his decisions, booking Harvie, Souter and Sutherland in quick succession as Vale fought for every ball in determined fashion.

Despite late pressure from the Dons, the home side held firm to claim a notable scalp and make it a night to remember for Scott Fraser.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, coach Paul Sheerin said ‘We weren’t tuned in properly for the game and never really got going. It is important the lads use this as part of the learning process. No games are easy and we have to apply ourselves at all times.’

Teams:-

Deveronvale – Blanchard (Pennet 46), Manson, Forbes (Aitken 73), Blackhall, Scott Fraser (Archibald 86), Steven Fraser, Cowie (Krobot 67), Souter, Ballard (Sutherland 22), Harris (Keith 74), Watt (Ross 46).
Unused substitutes – Duguid, Begg.

Aberdeen XI – Craddock, Robertson, Wells (Harvie 64), Thomas (Norris 82), Roscoe, MacPherson, McLennan, Henry, Nuttall (Dangana 61), F Ross, Anderson (Hutchison 61).
Unused substitutes – Mair (GK), S Ross, Antoniazzi.

Referee – Alan Proctor.