Turriff United 1-1 Aberdeen Development The Haughs Pre-season Friendly Tuesday 7th July 2026
An young Aberdeen XI played out a 1-1 draw with Highland League side Turriff United on Tuesday evening.
Aidan Sopel’s first-half strike was cancelled out by a late Glen Donald own goal in an entertaining affair at The Haughs.
There was little to report in the opening 10 at the Haughs. A half chance for Jack Searle from the corner of the Turra box was the only chance of note, easily scooped up by ‘keeper Herbert.
The Dons did begin to take a slight control of the game, enjoying possession of the ball but unable to truly threaten the Turriff back line.
Yet it was Turriff who would find the first big opening of the contest, and one they should have scored from. A break of the ball from a throw-in allowed Murray Cormack to race free and square the ball to Aidan Sopel, who was superbly denied by Vitols from 12 yards.
Another half chance for the Dons just after the 20-minute mark, a snapshot from Max Pocklington from the edge of the box failed to test Herbert, cruising past the post.
Jack Searle was looking particularly bright for the young Dons, enjoying an intriguing battle with Turra full-back Timi Fatona. Aberdeen should have taken the lead before the half-hour mark, with Zak To cracking the crossbar from close range. The number 10 was unable to guide home a cross which was fizzed in from the right flank.
Moments later, it was the home side who took the lead. A tidy move in the middle of the park resulted in Sopel being sent through on goal, making no mistake this time and slotting past Vitols into the bottom right corner.
The Dons continued to show promise in forward areas. Turriff maintained their resolute defending, whilst also looking a threat on the counter.
Another decent chance for Aberdeen just before the interval, Searle getting the better of his marker before driving into the box and squaring to Teasdale, the number 9 unable to convert from close range.
Half-time - Turriff United 1-0 Aberdeen
The second period began with a flurry of decent chances for Turra, the best of those coming from Sopel. He and Cormack linked up nicely once again, with the former unable to convert after being played through on goal.
The Dons began to assume the majority of possession without causing Turra much trouble, their clearest sight of goal coming from substitute Gauld, who was denied by Herbert from the edge of the area.
Turriff continued to cause the Dons problems on the counter and would've doubled their lead on the hour had it not been for the heroics of Vitols. The shot-stopper made an excellent save to keep Cormack out from inside the box, before swiftly rising to his feet to deny Massie.
Up the other end, it was Herbert’s turn to make a fine stop, denying Duncan's drive which was destined for the far corner with a strong hand.
With 5 minutes remaining, the Dons would find their equaliser, courtesy of an own goal from Glen Donald. Substitute JJ Hulse showed quick feet to evade his marker and swing a dangerous cross into the box, with Donald’s effort to stop Teasdale resulting in him heading past Herbert and into his own net.
The Dons pushed to find the winner to no avail, with the contest ending all square.
Thank you to Turriff United for the game, and good luck for the upcoming season.
ABERDEEN: 41. Rodrigo Vitols (GK), 3. Dylan Ross, 4. Lewis Carrol, 8. Aaron Cummings, 9. Joseph Teasdale, 10. Zak To, 11. Jack Searle (C), 12. Heath Duncan, 16. Sam McClean, 17. Max Pocklington, 19. Jay Henderson.
SUBS: 1. Theo Simpson (GK), 5. Joel Okhuoya, 6. Cooper Masson, 7. Andrew Fasanya, 14. Kai Gauld, 18. James Jarvie, 25. JJ Hulse.
GOALS - Sopel 30’, Donald (OG) 85’
TURRIFF UNITED - 1. Lee Herbert (GK), 2. Timi Fatona, 3. Scott Robertson, 4. Andrew Watt (C), 5. Glen Donald, 6. Owen Kinsella, 7. Mackenzie Taylor, 8. Ryan McLean, 9. Ritchie Massie, 10. Murray Cormack, 11. Aidan Sopel.
SUBS: 12. Sam Bavidge, 14. Kyle Douglas, 15. Connor Grant, 16. Alfie Knox, 17. Kade Mahoney, 18. Reece McKeown, 19. Ewen Robertson, 20. Murray Thompson, 21. Alfie Reid (GK), 22. Boima Willie.
