Under 20 Friendly – Mackessack Park, Rothes 8th August 2017

Rothes 2 Aberdeen Under 20s 4

The Young Dons continued their build up to next week’s Irn Bru Cup meeting with St Johnstone as they travelled north to meet the shock troops of this season’s Press and Journal Highland League.

Rothes have started their season in great style, winning their opening three fixtures to proudly boast one of only three 100% records in the league.

After a cagey opening from both sides the game burst into life as a rampaging run from Connor McLennan ended with the striker smashing a shot off the bar. Moments later the Dons took the lead when Toby Wells curled home a lovely free kick from the edge of the area. The lead was short lived though as home skipper fired a wonderful set piece past Archie Mair – a goal which would have graced any game.

Seb Ross and Chris Antoniazzi both went close before Bruce Anderson restored Aberdeen’s lead with a deft header from Wells’ excellent cross.

Nine minutes after the break Gillespie drew the Speysiders level as he converted a penalty awarded after Ross fouled Moore. Just after the hour, trialist Greg McColm stuck out a foot to divert Wells’ corner into the net to make it 3-2.

The scoring was completed on 77 minutes when McLennan rifled a fine twenty yard shot past McConnachie, although Mair saved well from Cormack as Rothes pushed for a consolation counter.

Teams:-

Rothes – Donaldson (McConnachie 45), Brown, MacKay, MacDonald, MacLean, S Fraser, Wood, Maley (Cormack 73), J Fraser, Gillespie (Rennie 63), Moore (C) (Duncan 63). Unused substitute – Cooke.

Aberdeen Under 20s – Mair, Harrington (Robertson 82), Wells (MacKenzie 82), MacPherson, Mbayo, McColm (Roscoe 63), S Ross (Hutchison 63), Campbell (C), McLennan, Anderson (E Ross 82), Antoniazzi (Dangana 63). Unused substitute – Craddock (GK).

Goals: Rothes – Moore 24, Gillespie pen 54 .

Aberdeen Under 20s – Wells 22, Anderson 34, McColm 62, McLennan 77.

Referee – Ben Dempster

Paul Sheerin Post Match

“It was a bit of a frustrating night.

“I think we can do better in terms of our play when in possession. We have worked a lot on it pre-season and we have done well up to now.

“I found it a tough watch at times because of our quality and the fact I know we can do better. Some of our decision making was poor and we were picking passes that were not suitable for the surface. There was bad decision making in certain areas of the pitch.

“It was a longer night than I think it need to be.

“I know you have off days and it does not always go for you but then when that is the case there are other aspects of the game you do properly as a group. I thought with the greatest of respect we maybe did not treat the game the way we should have. We were not doing basic things like getting in front of people at throw-ins and switch off when they had free kicks. We did not do the basics well enough and that is the frustrating part and the boys in the dressing room recognise that.

“If you go not start a game well enough it is tough to then get going. We found that tonight. The more the game went on the more frustrating it gets.

“I thought when we did move it quickly we looked good.

“We scored some good goals. It was great finish from Connor. Toby as well scored with a good free kick. He is a player who has come back for pre-season and worked really hard. He has looked lively and gets his reward with the goal. His delivery from set plays is very good, his assist for Bruce’s goal was also impressive. He is a real threat.

“So there were pleasing aspects but we have to recognise our standards have to be better than they were tonight.”

“So there were pleasing aspects but we have to recognise our standards have to be better than they were tonight.”