Connah's Quay Nomads 0 - 0 Aberdeen

All of the Pittodrie travelling party, other than Stevie May (virus), Frank Ross (back) and recuperating trio Niall McGinn, Connor McLennan and Craig Bryson, were included in the squad with all of the outfield players getting some vital game time against the Welsh side who lined up as they will in their Europa League tie against Kilmarnock with the emphasis very much on goal prevention.

Aberdeen enjoyed the bulk of possession and a 4th minute Ryan Hedges free kick found Lewis Ferguson who shot wide before a good move down the left involving Greg Leigh and Scott Wright came to nothing.

Michael Devlin then found Shay Logan whose pass to Jon Gallagher, the only outfield player to play the full ninety, saw the Atlanta United loanee backheel the ball back to the full-back whose effort went close.

In 17 minutes, Leigh and Wright again combined to set up Hedges who couldn't get a shot away and immediately afterwards Scott McKenna required treatment after a clash with Michael Bakare.

With half-time approaching, a promising move involving Hedges and Curtis Main ended with the latter flagged for offside.

The well organised Welsh side were almost caught out by a 56th minute Sam Cosgrove snap shot that keeper Lewis Brass palmed away for a corner while, in a rare sojurn upfied, Michael Wilde came close with a couple of headers, the second of which was well saved by Joe Lewis at the expense of a corner.

In 78 minutes a wonderful Scott Wright free kick was saved by Brass while, at the other end, Ash Taylor's half clearance was almost pounced on by Ryan Wignall.

With ten minutes to go Gallagher's fine deliver saw Seb Ross's header go agonisingly wide and a minute later younger brother Ethan won a corner after a great run down the left.

Two Scott Wright corners in quick succession were met by Ash Taylor, the second a free header that went wide before, with the last move of the game, Scott McKenna and Seb Ross combined to set up Main, whose fierce low effort was not far away at all.

Thank you to the Nomads for the game and we wish them well for the season ahead.

Reaction from the Manager after Fota Island Friendly

"We got a cleansheet. I thought our best players were our defenders, we were very secure with our work. Probably a bit too safe with our possession. Obviously Connah’s Quay have eleven men behind the ball so the onus was on us to find a way.

"I think as we go through the games we will find that slickness and creativity and penetration that every team needs.

"The game was played in hot conditions, the pitch was a bit dry and sticky and it did not allow us to move the ball as quickly as we could of.

"I thought in terms of possession we could have done that bit more and asked the question a bit more.

"Their keeper has had a couple of good saves.

"Overall, I am pleased to have come through the game with no new injuries.

"It has been a good week?s work for us. The players have worked extremely hard. We can take a lot from that. We go back to Aberdeen tomorrow knowing that players had built that fitness level up and now it is all about trying to fine tune our work and trying to find our best form ? trying to find that creativity and spark and that little bit of speed and penetration that every team needs."

New boys

"I think all the new players acquitted themselves well today and they have all settled really well.

"It is testament to them and also testament to the squad. We all know the importance of having a tight squad. One of the main reasons for coming away is to try and foster the relationships with each and every player.

"Ash, making his second AFC debut looked very comfortable, Greg Leigh, you can see what he is going to bring to us, he did well. Jon Gallacher was the only outfield player to play 90 minutes, he is able to do that because he has been playing games. Curtis and Ryan gave us a little flavour of what they got. I am sure Curtis will become a fans favourite with his tenacity and his work rate and his determination. And also hopefully with his goals.

"Ryan is also a player the fans will enjoy watching."

Young boys

"We are where we are. We have five injuries at the moment and we are looking to add to the squad.

So the squad is not where we want it to be at the minute. The onus on the younger ones to come in and put in a performance is very important to us. They must put their best foot forward and not just be happy to be on the fringes. They have to push themselves forward so they get opportunities. One or two did better than others in the game today. But this has been a good week for them as well because when they feel that bit closer to the first team then we can get more confidence into them.

"It is up to them to challenge, as well as the new signings and the players that have been here a while. It is up to all of them to show that they are good enough."