Zak To insists he is already feeling the benefits of Aberdeen’s run to the last-32 of the KDM Evolution Trophy. Midfielder To has been a key part of Aberdeen’s Emerging Talent squad, which qualified for the knock-out phase of the competition by finishing 14th in the 40-team group section. The Reds’ reward is a home tie against Championship side Queen’s Park, which is due to be played on November 3/4. Midfielder To featured in all six of the group fixtures - starting all but one of them, and skippering the side against Banks o’ Dee and Cove Rangers.
Along with a loan spell at League One Peterhead this season, To feels his outings for the Dons in the competition have been a major boost for his development. To said: “Playing in the KDM Evolution Trophy has been massive, getting to play with the Aberdeen boys while taking what you're learning from your loan team. “It's men's football, which is what we're aiming for. “Over the six cup games, we have shown we're getting better, including being physically stronger, so these competitions has been a good learning experience. "Getting through means it's another game with the boys, which is excellent.
"It will be against a Championship team, so it will be another good learning experience for us.” The Dons put themselves into an excellent position to qualify for the knockout stage, with victories over Forfar Athletic and Ross County, and a 1-1 draw against Fraserburgh in their opening three group matches. They subsequently suffered two setbacks in quick succession however, after relinquishing the lead to lose fixtures against Banks o’ Dee and Cove Rangers. That meant Aberdeen went into their final fixture against Elgin City knowing they needed a victory to qualify, with To proud of the resolve his side showed to secure the result against the League Two outfit. He added: “We started off well in the competition, then we had the two setbacks. We learned as a team from that. “Against Elgin, we showed we learned by how we dug it out and stick together.
“The boys really dug in and showed good fight. We missed a good amount of chances, but we've learned over the last few games that we just need to stick together. Everyone, to a man, was excellent. “We knew when to clear our lines but also showed a good bit of composure to kill the game and take the sting out of it.” A number of first team players have been given game-time in the Dons’ Emerging Talent squad, which is being led by Stuart Duff and Stephen Craigan. Emmanuel Gyamfi, who netted the winner in the decisive group fixture against Elgin, stepped up his return from injury in the competition, while there were also outings for Nicky Devlin, Ante Palaversa, Mitchel Frame and Hicham Mahou among others. To feels the opportunity to learn from playing alongside experienced campaigners has been invaluable.
The 18-year-old added: “The first team players were outstanding against Elgin and showed a great attitude and their ability. “No one doubts their ability and I thought their work-rate was unbelievable. “It helps us. They know that we can play as well. Everyone will run for one another and that's what helped us win.” To is equally enjoying his exposure to first team football on loan at Peterhead, alongside Dons team-mate Jack Searle. Since making the temporary switch in the summer, To has made eight starts and five substitute appearances, with one goal to his name. Having enjoyed a successful spell on loan with Highland League side Keith last season, To is embracing the opportunity to step up. To added: “I'm enjoying playing in League One. “It's different from my last loan when I was in the Highland League.
“It's a lot more football-based, which suits me a lot. “I know my plans for playing with Peterhead. I'm playing, which is the main thing.” The Dons’ Emerging Talent Squad will again be in action on Wednesday, with a trip to Fraserburgh in the semi-final of the Aberdeenshire Cup. They began their defence of the trophy they won last season by defeating Keith 1-0 at Kynoch Park in August.
