Formartine United v Aberdeen XI Pre-Season Friendly (Graeme Rodger Testimonial) North Lodge Park Saturday 19th July
Formartine United 3 |
Ritchie 52, McAllister 57, Campbell 69
Aberdeen XI 1 |
Bavidge 6
A strong second half showing from Formartine United saw them overturn a half time deficit to run out 3-1 winners against an Aberdeen XI in Graeme Rodger’s Testimonial. Alfie Bavidge had given the visitors an early advantage, he also hit the bar twice, but the Highland League side netted through Ritchie, McAllister and Campbell to make it a day to remember for their skipper.
The trip to Formartine to celebrate the career of Pitmedden stalwart Graeme Rodger was the latest outing for Stuart Duff’s young Aberdeen squad. The veteran midfield man, the club’s highest ever goal-scorer in the Highland League, was accorded a fine ovation from the crowd as he celebrated a decade of service.
First team squad men Peter Ambrose and Slobodan Rubezic were drafted into the Dons team which also featured Jamie Mercer starting only his second game in almost two years after an injury-blighted period for the highly rated left sided centre-half.
The Dons started very brightly and Rubezic’s deep cross picked out Jay Henderson who knocked the ball back for Bavidge whose shot crashed off the bar with keeper McKenzie helpless. Ninety seconds later the goalie was forced to dive away to his left to turn Rubezic’s header away to safety after the big centre back met Zak To’s corner at the near post.
The deadlock was broken in the sixth minute when Bavidge slotted home with his left foot after Tristan Stephen picked him out with a headed pass following a great diagonal from Ellis Clark freed Dylan Lobban to cross from the right. No more than Aberdeen deserved at this point in proceedings.
In the thirteenth minute Luke Strachan’s left wing cross looked to be sailing to safety but it dipped late to force Rodrigo Vitols into a smart tip over.
Lobban was looking very impressive whenever he broke forward and one great run saw him advanced seventy yards upfield, but he couldn’t link up with a team-mate in the danger area.
The full back was again in the action just before the half hour forcing a good save from McKenzie as the visitors sought a second goal.
Jamie Mercer’s rehabilitation from injury is progressing well and the thirty five minutes he played against a very experienced opponent in Rory McAllister bodes well for the rest of the season. Oliver Green came on to replace him with ten minutes of the half to play with the impressive Henderson moving over one to central defence.
Formartine’s best effort of the opening period saw a dangerous Ritchie free kick whistle across the face of the six yard box, fortunately for the Dons no home player could apply the finishing touch.
Half time – Formartine United 0 Aberdeen 1
Veteran hitman McAllister was denied by a smart Vitols save before Bradley Chikomo came on for Stephen who had taken a knock. The home side drew level on 52 minutes, McAllister making ground down the left before finding Rodger whose cross was expertly volleyed into the net by Ritchie.
Five minutes later and the scorer turned provider, Ritchie’s low free kick from the right met first time by McAllister whose first-time strike flew past Vitols.
The Dons very nearly drew level on the hour, Bavidge’s powerful header from To’s cross hitting the bar with the keeper beaten.
The contest was tied up on 69 minutes, substitute Campbell taking advantage after a Vitols clearance from outside the area fell to him to fire home from wide out on the left as the keeper tried to get back into position.
Sam McLean and Slobodan Rubezic both came close to adding to the Dons tally while Vitols again saved well from Murison, but the day was all about Graeme Rodger who received rapturous applause from the home fans when he exited the contest with six minutes remaining.
A big thank you to Formartine for their hospitality and we wish them well for the forthcoming season in the Highland League.
Full time –Formartine United 3 Aberdeen 1
Stats:
Teams:-
Formartine United:- McKenzie, Emmett, Strachan, Thomas (Crawford 86), Ross, Murison, Ritchie, Rodger (C) (Buckle 84), McAllister (Campbell 65), McCormick (Dangana 62), Adams (Wade 62),
Unused substitutes:- Morris and Corbett (GK).
Aberdeen:- 1. Vitols, 2. Lobban, 5. Mercer (Green 35), 7. Clark, 10. Bavidge, 11. To (McLean 68), 15. Cummings (Searle 86), 17. Henderson, 18. Stephen (Chikomo 50), 32. Ambrose, 33. Rubezic (C).
Unused substitute:- 20. Waldron (GK)
Goals:
Formartine United – Ritchie 52, McAllister 57, Campbell 69.
Aberdeen – Bavidge 6.
Booked – Ross (Formartine United) 44.
Referee – Scott Donohoe. Assistant referees – Graham Jack and Graham Smith.
Crowd – 350
