Rothes 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen Under 18’s made the trip North to take on Highland League outfit Rothes FC on Friday night as they looked to continue preparations for their Club Academy League season kicking off, with the curtain raiser just a week away down in Glasgow against Queen’s Park.

Scott Anderson’s team was aided by the presence of Tom Ritchie in goal for the pre-season clash, with Rodrigo Vitols taking a spot on the bench.

Adam Emslie forced the first save of the game from Sean McCarthy in the Rothes goal with a fine header that had the Highland League stopper at full stretch. The Dons forward, who will spend the season loan at Formartine United led the line alongside Cammy Wilson who looked bright throughout.

Emslie was again unlucky not to open the scoring after latching onto an Alfie Stewart through ball, his effort saved.

Up the other end Rothes were limited to fashioning their chances through set plays, passing up on a free header at the back post from a corner that caught the young Aberdeen defence off guard. Ewan Neil smashed a freekick from a dangerous position along the ground and into the Aberdeen wall as the game remained deadlocked.

Christopher Kondolo completed the Aberdeen attack and looked dangerous coming off the right-hand side, his side footed effort was blocked near the end of the opening period.

HT. Rothes 0 Aberdeen 0

Aberdeen continued to create chances without really testing the keeper too much during the majority of the second half. Dylan Lobban arrived late into the box to catch an incoming cross on the half volley, but his effort was met by a sea of orange bodies and duly cleared.

On the hour mark Kondolo and Emslie both made way, Fletcher Boyd and Fraser Mackie their replacements to freshen up things in the final third. As it transpired, both would go on to have an impact on the final score.

Victor Enem was growing into the game as the hosts began to tire, the young fullback was finding himself in space increasingly often down the flank, he flashed his attacking abilities as he danced around a sea of bodies and into the box, but this time he was unable to get his shot off.

With fifteen minutes to go Ritchie was replaced in goal by Rodrigo Vitols. It was a quiet night for Ritchie but every time he was called into action the young shot stopper looked comfortable. Timi Akindileni was also replaced by Cooper Masson for the final period.

With 84 minutes on the clock Aberdeen got their noses Infront through Enem. A well worked move allowed the defender to latch onto an ariel flick from Boyd, before racing through on goal and blasting a shot at goal. The powerful effort cannoned off the post and off the back of the helpless keeper. Slightly fortuitous with the finish, but a great move that deserved a goal.

Aberdeen doubled the lead with just a minute left of the clash through Mackie. The substitute’s finish on the angle was a sharp one, leaving the recently introduced trialist keeper helpless again.

Mackie’s goal was the last action of the game, and the Young Dons ran out 2-0 winners against their Highland League counterparts.

Attention now turns towards the first league game of the season for Scott Anderson’s and Stuart Duff’s team: they take on newly promoted Queen’s Park on the 28th of July in Glasgow.