Keith F.C. 2-0 Aberdeen XI Kynoch Park Pre-season Friendly Tuesday 14th July 2026
A young Aberdeen XI fell to a 2-0 defeat against Keith at Kynoch Park this evening.
Goals from Jordan Cooper and Lawrence Ega ensured victory for the Highland League side despite a positive performance from the young Dons.
An energetic start from Aberdeen saw them take the game to their Highland League opposition. Ambitious efforts from Heath Duncan and JJ Hulse were unable to cause much trouble, but indicated a positive start from the young side.
A looping cross-come-shot from Sam McLean on 16 minutes was the first real threat on the Keith goal, the ‘keeper able to tip the ball to safety when it looked to be heading goalbound.
A combination involving Ega and Clark generated Keith’s first opportunity of the contest, the former flicking on for the latter to set up the volley from just inside the area, which trickled to safety.
Moments later, fantastic work from Andrew Fasanya almost resulted in the opening goal. The wide man showed great poise to find space in the Keith penalty box, flicking over his marker before squaring the ball to Bradley Chikomo, who was only just beaten to the ball by an opposing shirt.
Despite the Dons’ bright start, it was the home side who took the lead after 26 minutes. Nice work in the final third from Keith allowed them to find space on the right flank and fizz a low cross into the area, finding the alert Jordan Cooper who tapped his effort into the empty Aberdeen net.
Keith nearly extended their advantage courtesy of a 30-yard free kick, Waldron able to get down quickly to tip his effort out for a corner.
Up the other end, JJ Hulse was next to try his luck from distance, cutting inside and finding a yard of space before flashing an effort from 20 yards marginally past the post.
A strong first half from the young Dons, but nothing to show for it at the interval.
Half-time: Keith F.C. 1-0 Aberdeen XI
Another positive start to the half for Aberdeen, enjoying the majority of possession but unable to break through the resolute Keith back line.
Yet again, it was Keith who would be the more clinical in front of goal, extending their lead through Lawrence Ega on 57 minutes. A deep free kick was loaded into the Dons box and met by Ega, who leapt highest to head towards goal, Waldron getting a touch but unable to prevent the effort sailing over his head and into the back of the net.
The Dons kept coming, with Kai Gauld generating space for Fasanya inside the box with a cute lay-off, his shot well defended by the home side.
JJ Hulse continued to look bright on the left flank, cutting inside once again and firing an effort goalward which was blocked and eventually cleared to safety.
A great chance for Aberdeen with ten minutes left to play. Heath Duncan’s initial corner was cleared, with the ball dropping back to his feet and allowing him to fizz an effort across the Keith six yard line, somehow evading all in white and trickling to safety.
With 87 minutes on the clock, Keith should’ve had their third. Cooper robbed Pocklington of possession in his own half, driving towards goal and rounding substitute ‘keeper Ibrahim, but only able to find the side netting.
That would be the last action of note in the contest, with the young Dons edged out 2-0 by the experienced Highland League side.
Thank you to Keith for the match, and good luck for the upcoming season.
Full-time: Keith F.C. 2-0 Aberdeen XI
Aberdeen: 20. Waldron (1. Ibrahim 72'), 6. Masson, 7. Fasanya, 8. Okoro, 12. Duncan, 14. Gauld, 15. Chikomo (Crane 56'), 16. McLean (Phillips 46'), 17. Pocklington, 18. Jarvie, 25. Hulse (Wilson 73')
