Forfar Athletic 2-1 Aberdeen Development Side Station Park The KDM Evolution Trophy | Matchday 4 Tuesday 23rd September 2025
An Aberdeen XI travelled to Station Park to take on Forfar Athletic in The KDM Evolution Trophy. The hosts sat 8th in the newly formatted competition following their 4-1 victory against Dundee B earlier this month. Meanwhile, the Dons came into this one in search of their first points in the revamped tournament.
The Dons named a young squad with a mix of first-teamers. Marko Lazetic, Mitchell Frame, and Kristers Tobers started for the Dons tonight, as well as Nicky Devlin, who was given minutes to keep sharp following his league suspension.
The Dons went into half-time trailing after Stuart Morrison’s early strike, but Joseph Teasdale’s smart finish shortly after the restart brought them back level. Kieran Inglis restored the hosts’ advantage on the hour mark, and while Aberdeen pushed hard in the closing stages, forcing Forfar into some resolute defending, they were unable to find the equaliser at Station Park.
Report:
The Loons were awarded the first chance of the evening with an early free kick on the edge of the box in the first minute. Scott David Shepherd stood over it but could only strike straight into the hands of Theo Simpson.
Aberdeen’s first opportunity began with Sam McLean’s determination to win back possession in his own half before laying it off to Dylan Lobban, who drove up field and slipped through Joseph Teasdale. The forward curled his effort just wide after seven minutes.
It was end-to-end stuff in the opening 20 minutes with both sides finding themselves in each other’s boxes but lacking the final touch to make it count.
Marko Lazetic was inches away from breaking the deadlock, volleying just over Lobban’s cross. The Dons were made to rue the missed opportunity as Forfar struck first with the next chance of the night. Stuart Morrison found space from Mark Whatley’s corner and poked home right on 20 minutes.
Morrison nearly doubled his tally minutes later. Angus Mailer rose highest to meet the second ball, nodding it down into the path of his centre-half, who unleashed a thunderous volley that spun wide of Simpson’s post.
Aberdeen struggled to fashion any clear-cut openings after the setback, with their play breaking down in the final third. It wasn’t until the closing stages of the half that they began to threaten again. Teasdale’s clever flick nearly caught out Neil Stafford before being forced behind for a corner. From the delivery, Nicky Devlin’s header drew an instinctive save from Stafford, sparking a scramble inside the six-yard box. Lazetic showed composure to wriggle his way past three Forfar defenders, but his shot bent agonisingly wide as the Dons went into the break trailing.
Half Time: Forfar Athletic 1 – 0 Aberdeen Development XI
Aberdeen began the second period much as they had closed out the first. This time, they found the finishing touch. Joseph Teasdale’s curved run in behind was picked out with a delightful clipped pass. Spotting Stafford off his line, the forward showed great awareness to loft the ball over the keeper and into the net from just inside the box, tying the score in the 49th minute.
Following the equaliser, the game became stop-start with both sides needing some medical attention. Unfortunately, Stuart Morrison’s evening ended early following a collision.
Kieran Inglis breathed fresh life into the contest following the stoppages. After a Forfar cross caused confusion, Ryan McLinden pressed aggressively to win the ball back inside the box before squaring it to substitute Inglis, who stayed composed to slot low past Simpson on 61 minutes.
Aberdeen thought they had delivered an instant reply a minute later. Zak To’s free kick was met powerfully by Mitchell Frame, with his effort leaving Stafford rooted to the spot, only for the assistant’s flag to cut celebrations short for offside.
The second half continued at a frightening pace, with chances at both ends. Nathan Cannon’s dangerous delivery from the right found Inglis again in space, but this time he dragged his shot wide of the post when he looked certain to score.
Aberdeen piled forward in the closing stages, throwing everything into the Forfar penalty area in search of a leveller. Time and again, though, Mackenzie Lemon and Matthew Allan stood tall at the heart of the Loons’ defence, heading and clearing the ball to safety to secure the victory.
The Dons next face Formartine United in the Aberdeenshire Cup Final on Friday, October 3 at Harlaw Park in Inverurie, with kick-off set for 8 PM.
Full Time: Forfar Athletic 2-1 Aberdeen Development
Forfar Athletic: 21. Neil Stafford, 4. Stuart Morrison (Scott 55’), 5. Matthew Allan, 9. Scott David Shepherd (Cannon 45’), 14. Angus Mailer (Ingils 55‘), 15. Mackenzie Lemon, 16. Mark Whatley (Slater 55’), 17. Jamie Richardson, 18. Lewis Lorimer, 19. Jake Sutherland (McLinden 59’), 22. Scott Bright
Substitutes: 1. Marc McCallum, 3. Christopher Scott, 6. Jake Dolzanski, 8. Craig Slater, 11. Kieran Inglis, 12. Nathan Cannon, 23. Harry McLinden
Goals: Morrison 20’, Inglis 61’
Aberdeen: 20. Theo Simpson, 2. Dylan Lobban, 4. Lewis Carrol (Ross 87’), 5. Kristers Tobers, 6. Cooper Masson, 8. Samuel McLean (Cummings 65’), 9. Joseph Teasdale, 11. Zak To (Searle 87’), 21. Mitchel Frame, 22. Nicholas Devlin, 27. Marko Lazetic (Stephen 70’)
Substitutes: 1. Conner Douglas, 3. Dylan Ross, 10. Tristan Stephen, 12. Aaron Cummings, 14. Jack Searle, 15. Oliver Green
Goals: Teasdale 49’
