Aberdeen 1 - 3 Brentford

Brentford, who have a partnership agreement with Midtjylland, had a number of Danish youngsters in their lineup.

There was also a familiar face in the away team dug-out with Neil MacFarlane, who played half a dozen games for the Dons in 2006, being the man in charge of Brentford' B team.

The Dons started with Sam Jackson in goal, behind the back four of Calvin Ramsay, Luc Bollan, Trialist and Jack Mackenzie. Seb Ross was in midfield along with Connor Barron and Lloyd Robertson, while Ethan Ross and Michael Ruth were on the flanks in support of Bruce Anderson.

Brentford took the lead in the fourth minute, Gustav Mogensen and Jaden Brissett combining well to create the chance which Mogensen placed calmly past Jackson from six yards.

The visitors were looking very lively and a fine run by Tsaroulla ended with the wing back firing just wide.

The Dons were being pressed back almost constantly as Brentford pressed for a second goal and it really should have arrived on 12 minutes when Larsen had a free header from a corner, but his effort was blocked.

Aberdeen did have a good spell of pressure around the quarter hour, but the blanket defence of the Bees denied a clear shot at goal.

Brentford doubled their advantage on 19 minutes. A fine move down the right saw Roerslev play the ball into the near post where Mogensen turned the ball into the net. On the balance of play, it was no more than Brentford deserved. They had looked extremely slick in the opening period.

Robertson was booked after a foul in midfield as the young Dons struggled to cope with the movement of the London outfit who were playing some lovely football.

On 36 minutes it was three nil as Christian Tue Jensen reacted well to turn the ball into the net after Jackson had parried a long range effort from Brentford's trialist. The visitors had control of the game and were giving the Dons very little opportunity to get anything going forward.

An Ethan Ross cross caused some confusion in the Brentford box, but the ball was cleared. Ethan then saw a fierce free kick flash wide, many in the crowd thinking the ball had gone in, but it was narrowly past the post to the relief of keeper Shepperd.

Jackson did well to turn a deflected Jensen effort wide just before the half time whistle sounded to afford the Dons some respite after a hugely impressive first half showing from Brentford.

Half time - Aberdeen Reserves 0 Brentford B 3

Both sides made changes at the break, former Falkirk man Jonny Mitchell replacing Sorensen for the Bees while the Dons introduced Miko Virtanen and Luke Turner for Barron and Trialist.

Fine trickery from Ethan Ross saw the winger create space on the right but his angled effort flew across the face of goal. At the other end Jackson saved well as Jensen fired a dangerous free kick into the box.

The Dons were enjoying more possession in the second half but were finding the Bees defence a tough nut to crack. Brentford took off Larsen and their trialist on 62 minutes, former Hibs player Kane O'Connor and Frenchman Julien Carre taking their places.

A brilliant turn by Bruce Anderson after a fine Virtanen pass saw him through on goal, but the striker pushed his shot wide of the post.

The second half was much more even, the Dons giving a good account of themselves in what was a very entertaining match, the quality of the football being of a high standard.

O'Connor became the game's second booking after a strong challenge on Ethan Ross. From the free kick Ethan picked out Bollan at the far post whose header went in off the underside of the bar. A third goal in two gaols for big Luc whose Dad Gary was watching the match.

Dangana replaced Ruth after the goal while Titov came on for Roerslev shortly afterwards. A flare up between Mackenzie and Mogensen saw both players booked, followed shortly after by Turner.

After a Seb Ross hook shot went just wide, another flurry of activity in front of the Brentford goal ended with a fierce Anderson volley being blocked as the Dons pushed for a second goal which their second half showing merited.

Jackson saved well from Brissett as the Bees broke forward, the visitors always looking dangerous when they went into the final third.

Just after Duncan had taken the place of Ethan Ross, the Dons were desperately unlucky not to add to their tally when Dangana's header from a fine Seb Ross cross crashed off the crossbar.

Despite their best efforts the Dons couldn't reduce the deficit and Brentford ran out deserved winners of an excellent match, their first half performance giving them the platform for a fine victory over an Aberdeen side who more than matched them in the second period.

by Andrew Shinie