Aberdeen U20s will travel to Pitmedden to play Highland League side Formartine United tomorrow night (Tuesday) in the IRN-BRU Cup. Kick-off at North Lodge Park is at 19:45.
The First Round of the Challenge Cup competition this week sees clubs from last season’s Ladbrokes League 2 (minus East Fife and Elgin City) joined by representatives from the Lowland and Highland Leagues as well as Under 20 teams from the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Coach Paul Sheerin previewed the game on www.afc.co.uk:
“It is proper competitive football in a national competition so it is something different and something we are really looking for to.
“Our preparation has been slightly different to the way we would prepare for a normal game so the players have enjoyed the build-up.
“It is a competition we want to try and get a run in but we know how tough a task it will be on Tuesday.
“Ideally we would probably have preferred to have started our league campaign and had a few games under our belt before this tie but our preparation in pre-season has gone very well. We have managed to play against a couple of Highland League teams. We know what is ahead and we have managed to get a look at them. It will be tough, there is no getting away from that.
“We have had Formartine watched so we have a rough idea of how they play. We know a lot of their players anyway and they have some good experienced pros, guys who have played in the football league. It will be good to see how our boys do against them.
“I played with Derek Young when I was at Aberdeen! Derek is a great player. I saw him a couple of times last season when I was out watching games and his performances were still of a very high standard.
“We are missing a few of our younger players who are away with the Scotland U17s which is a bit of a blow for us. It is a great experience for them although it is a little bit frustrating that they have put us in the competition when there is a Scotland gathering. For Terry Taylor, Dean Campbell and Archie Mair who are still involved with the Scotland U16s, it is a really good achievement.
“I feel we have got decent balance to the squad. I think we will look to get a couple of the more experienced ones out on loan which will hopefully happen soon. This will then allow the younger ones the chance to play.
“We also have the benefit of having five players who can still play at U17 level so they can get football with Scott and Barry’s 17s side. We have had a problem in the three seasons I have been here of players who are in between the two squads and have not had a lot of game time. Ultimately we want them to be playing football for the 20s but if not they can then play at another level.
“The new boys have all settled in well. The trip to Portugal obviously allowed them to be integrated into the squad as we were together 24/7. It gave them a chance to get to know us and for us to get to know them.
“Team news, Jamie Henry had a slight niggle but he trained today and will hopefully be ok. Everyone else is fit and raring to go. We hope the players realise the importance of the game as well and see the opportunities a run in this competition would bring.”
“Team news, Jamie Henry had a slight niggle but he trained today and will hopefully be ok. Everyone else is fit and raring to go. We hope the players realise the importance of the game as well and see the opportunities a run in this competition would bring.”
