Formartine United 2 - 0 Aberdeen

The home side are coached by Paul Lawson and Russell Anderson.

It was a fairly cagey opening as both teams sized each other up. On ten minutes former Cove man Daniel Park played a clever ball over the top which found Garry Wood but he was closed down quickly and then his ball across the area found an Aberdeen jersey.

On 17 minutes keeper Sam Jackson produced two excellent saves.

First of all Stuart Anderson, brother of Aberdeen coach Scott, knocked the ball down for Wood but Jackson was out quickly and managed to get enough on the ball to get it over the bar. Then from the first corner of the game Park had a free header but from eight yards out Jackson produced a terrific reaction save.

Shortly after that Aberdeen created a couple of opening. First of all on the left Kevin Hanratty found space but his curling shot was always too close to the keeper as opposed to the far post. Then Wright played the ball down the line for Seb Ross who produced a clever flick before using his pace to leave his marker in his wake. He then cut the ball back for Bruce Anderson but he could not make good enough contact.

On 25 minutes Scott Wright had an opportunity to stretch his legs for the first time. His pace set up a promising move but Hanratty was unable to find Anderson inside the area.

The Dons were sitting in and making themselves hard to break down whilst then getting the ball forward quickly to use their pace. It was a tactic that was working pretty well.

After 34 minutes Scott Lisle produced a great driving run off the left wing and in a combination of Ramsay and Robertson did well to snuff out the danger. After a couple of corners Aberdeen produced another lightning break. Hanratty played in Ross and his low shot across Watson was brilliantly tip away by the keeper. It really was a top save. Then Ross had a header from the corner which was on target until it was well blocked.

On 39 minutes the Highland League side took the lead.

A cross from Graeme Watson was met by Lloyd Robertson but the clearance landed at the feet of Scott Lisle and his low shot gave Jackson no chance as it was right in the corner.

On 41 Connor Barron was booked for a late challenge. Aberdeen then had a couple of half chances as they pushed for an equaliser before the interval.

HT. Formartine United 1 Aberdeen 0

At half time Aberdeen replaced Jack Chesser with Sean Linden. The home side forced a corner straight after a restart and then they added a second a minute later as the Dons failed to clear their lines from a throw in. Graeme Rodger from 22 yards out fires a great shot into the top corner, giving Sam Jackson no chance.

The goal really did knock the stuffing out of the young Dons.

On the hour mark a Bruce Anderson shot from 20 yards just went past the past. It was a half chance at best.

Aberdeen were trying to find something to give them a foothold back into the game but the home side had their tails up. The Dons were forced to putting low balls forward and the experienced Craig McKeown was always well positioned to deal with any danger.

On 67 minutes Scott Wright set up Sean Linden and his low cross almost picked out Anderson. Then a minute later a great chance for Aberdeen from a Wright free kick. Luc Bollan was completely free at the back of the six-yard box and his header across goal went inches past the far post. The defender did the right thing and would have expected a team mate to have read the situation.

On 77 minutes another positive run from Scott Wright but again the ball broke kindly for the home side and Watson was able to gather. The same happened again when Seb Ross put in a low cross.

In injury time Kieran Shanks replaced Anderson ? who was on the receiving end of a poor tackle from Anderson ? and the U18 striker almost scored with his first touch but his shot was deflected just wide.

Aberdeen did not do nearly enough in the second half and the home side deserved the victory.

FT. Formartine United 2 Aberdeen 0