Inverurie Loco Works v Aberdeen XI Mark Souter Testimonial Match Harlaw Park Wednesday 16th July. Kick-off, 7.30pm
Inverurie Loco Works 3 | McKenzie 10′, Meres 35′, Souter 82′
Aberdeen XI 2 | Clark 65′, Stephen 85′
The Dons continued their busy pre-season schedule with a trip to Harlaw Park to face Highland League side Inverurie Loco Works. The match marked a special occasion for club legend Mark Souter who was honoured with a testimonial after making over 350 appearances for his hometown club. With over 1,000 fans in attendance, the stage was set for a memorable evening.
The young Dons showed character to come from behind twice, with goals from Ellis Clark and Tristan Stephen, but it was club legend Souter who rightfully stole the spotlight. Souter bounced back from an early penalty miss to score the decisive goal late on, capping off an emotional evening.
Report:
The Dons kicked things off in Inverurie, but it was the home side who nearly struck first. Ethan Cairns nicked the ball off Cooper Masson before slipping it through to Robert Ward. The striker’s poked effort was sharply stopped by the legs of Nick Suman just before the minute mark.
Paul Coutts started to pull strings early, whipping in a dangerous corner and then a teasing free-kick that had Suman scrambling.
Inverurie kept the pressure up as Nathan Meres danced past Jay Henderson and Noah McDonnell before crossing the ball into Robert Ward, who would be pushed to the ground by the recovering McDonnell for a penalty. Souter stepped up for the hosts, but Suman spoiled the party, diving low to his right to keep it out. Jack McKenzie, however, was quickest to react, smashing home the re-bound to give the Locos a 1-0 lead inside 10 minutes.
Just as the Dons looked to settle, Ward and Meres would combine again to create a dangerous opportunity. Ward would play his winger in behind with an instinctive flick which Meres would catch. Lewis Carroll brought down the speedster who was through on goal, however the referee would let the youngster off without a booking.
The resulting free-kick would again prove enticing for the Locos as Coutts picked out Souter at the back post, whose header across goal was met by Robert Ward, who smashed the ball off the far post to gasps from the crowd.
Ellis Clark nearly levelled things as his long-range effort was struck just wide of the post, keeping the Inverurie keeper on his toes. Alfie Bavidge would take inspiration from his teammates’ effort, as two minutes later he shot from a similar range, again just striking wide.
Despite the score line, Dons Development Player of the Year and captain for the evening, Dylan Lobban enjoyed a superb evening on both ends. His finest moment would come on the half-hour mark as he would nutmeg his opponent before driving 20 yards and playing a clipped ball into the path of Joseph Teasdale. The forward cut inside Agnew and forced a sharp diving save from the keeper.
But just as Aberdeen began to threaten, Daniel Agnew’s marauding run would prove too much for the young Dons as his cross had teammates queuing up to tap home at the back post. Nathan Meres got the crucial final touch to double the home side’s lead on 35 minutes.
Half Time Inverurie FC 2–0 Aberdeen XI
The Locos picked up where they left off, almost extending their lead within a minute of the restart when Ward nodded just wide in the 47th minute. Moments later, Bavidge’s twist and shot cannoned off the crossbar and bounced to safety.
As the Dons regrouped, they grew into the game with patient, build-up play. Masson and Aaron Cummings combined in midfield looking to see past their size disadvantage.
Their efforts would soon be rewarded as Ellis Clark would strike into the roof of the net from just inside the box after a Bavidge run making it 2-1 with 65 minutes played, setting up an interesting second period.
Man of the moment Souter would forget about his missed penalty as he found the back of the net in the 83rd minute. Substitute Josh Bolton would make an instant impact as his whipped cross found Souter free at the back post, which he comfortably tapped home to a standing ovation from the crowd and wholesome celebrations from his teammates.
Three minutes later, Aberdeen found themselves back in the game as Tristan Stephen remained aware to intercept the goalkeeper’s loose pass. The striker rounded the keeper before being dragged to the floor. The referee allowed play to go on and rightly so, as Stephen popped back up to his feet to tap into an empty net for the final goal of an enthralling encounter.
We would like to congratulate Mark Souter on his outstanding contribution to Inverurie and we wish everyone at Harlaw Park well for the upcoming campaign.
Full Time: Inverurie FC 3–2 Aberdeen XI
STATS:
Inverurie Locos FC: 1. Trialist A, 2. Daniel Agnew (Duncan 58’ (Gauld 83’)), 3. Kyle Simpson (Smith 58’), 4. Max Foster (Woods 66’ (Park 88’)), 5. Paul Alexander Coutts (Broadhurst 83’), 6. Mark Souter (McLean 83’), 7. Nathan Meres (Bolton 66’), 8. Jack McKenzie (Reid 76’), 9. Robert Ward (Chapman 80’), 10. Ethan John Cairns (Dingwall 66’), 11. Llyod Robertson (Halliday 45’)
Unused Subs: 23. Louis Amann
Goals: McKenzie 10, Meres 35’, Souter 82’
Aberdeen: 13. Nick Suman, 2. Dylan Lobban (C), 4. Lewis Carrol, 6. Cooper Masson, 7. Ellis Clark (Cummings 66), 9. Joseph Teasdale, 10. Alfie Bavidge, 11. Zak To (Green 80’), 14. Jack Searle (Stephen 45’), 15. Jay Henderson (Ross 66’), 17. Noah McDonnell
Unused Subs: 41. Rodrigo Vitols
Goals: Clark 65’, Stephen 85’
