Aberdeen 3 - 0 Inverness CT

An experienced Dons side put in a fine performance this afternoon against Inverness at Spain Park - home of Junior side Banks O' Dee. Miles Storey, Jayden Stockley and Peter Pawlett all got some game time and got on the scoresheet.
In atrocious conditions the Dons lined up this afternoon with Mutch in goal, a back four of Seb Ross, Mbayo, Roscoe and Wells. Thomas and Pawlett were in central midfield with Wright on the right, Frank Ross on the left and Storey and Stockley up front.

The weather was truly dreadful and Dons were playing into the rain and strong wind in the first half. Early on Pawlett had a penalty claim turned down. The visitors then appeared to adjust to the conditions slightly better and had a couple of openings. After 5 minutes, former Don Sam Robertson cut the ball back from the by-line after a good run down the left but Thomas well positioned to clear. Young Dylan had a very good game in the centre of midfield this afternoon. A minute later Struan MacArthur was eased off the ball by Harlain Mbayo when he looked threatening inside the area. Excellent defending from Harlain who skippered the side today. A minute after that striker Alex Fisher put an effort wide. After 10 minutes Inverness won three corners in succession, all of which were put on top of Mutch but the keeper and his defenders held firm. Two minutes later Andrew Macrae had a shot blocked. The young Dons backline had done well to hold firm and on 14 minutes Aberdeen took the lead. Stockley showed good awareness to take a free kick quickly. The ball was eventually played by Thomas up for Stockley who laid the ball into the path of Pawlett. He sprinted past the defence before slotting the ball into the far corner past Hoban. A really good finish from Peter.
It was a physical and committed battle throughout and on 16 minutes Mbayo and McRitchie were booked after a flair up. On 20 minutes Mbayo made another great last ditch tackle before ICT forced another series of corners. From which Fisher missed a half chance. The Dons players had no option but to play the ball out from the back as the wind was making it impossible to play it long. On 28 minutes Sam Roscoe started a move at the corner flag. The ball was played across to the back line to Mbayo who fed Scott Wright. Stockley then brilliantly on the turn played Wright down the line. Wright then played an early cross for Storey who calmly found the net. An outstanding team goal.
Just after the half hour mark Mbayo headed a corner goalward but Blair MacLennan did very well to knock the ball off the line. Another corner a few minutes later went even closer, Stockley's header coming off the post. On 36 minutes Alex Fisher was booked for a tackle with his studs showing. At first it looked an obvious red card but on replay he did appear to try and pull out of the tackle by decelerating. Aberdeen finished the half in control and with a couple of decent breaks but they could not convert.

HT. Aberdeen 2 Inverness CT 0

Duncan Shearer's side, who are also coached by Kevin McNaughton, started the second half well and Andrew Macrae had three decent chances to score but failed to find the net. Mutch produced a goal save on one of the occasions. Aberdeen eventually got their act together and Pawlett forced Hoban into a fine save before on the hour mark they scored a third. Frank Ross laid the ball off for Storey who hit a thunderous shot off the post and Stockley showed good reactions to turn the rebound past the keeper. It was Jayden's last involvement as he was replaced by Bruce Anderson on 61 minutes. Five minutes after coming on Storey played Anderson in but the keeper blocked his shot and Bruce was injured in the process. After lengthy treatment, he was stretchered off and replaced by Dangana. We wish Bruce a speedy recovery. In the closing twenty minutes the game slowly petered out - Storey had a good chance at one end and then at the other substitute Ewan probably should have scored a consolation but Mutch did just enough to put him off.