Cove Rangers 0 - 2 Aberdeen

A goal in either half from Ante Palaversa and Nicky Devlin saw Aberdeen beat League One Cove Rangers by two goals to nil in front of a record 2200 Balmoral Stadium crowd.

Aberdeen’s fans were out in force to see the Scottish Cup holders take their bow in season 2025-26 as they were welcomed to Balmoral Stadium by neighbours Cove Rangers. Since that joyful day at Hampden in May there have been a number of arrivals and departures and there was great interest as to who would take the field in red for this friendly clash.

New boys Kusini Yengi and Nicolas Milanovic were in the starting line-up while Nick Suman, Adil Aouchiche and Kjartan Mar Kjartansson were on the bench along with youngster Zak To who impressed in midweek at Peterhead,

Cove’s build up towards their Premier Sports Cup meetings with Spartans, top-flight new boys Falkirk, Highland League Brechin City and Queens Park had seen them beat Banks O’Dee, Inverurie Locos and Turriff United so this would be their biggest test to date. Paul Hartley was missing regulars Ryan Harrington, Blair Yule and Michael Doyle but there were starts for new signings Robbie Mutch, Layton Bisland, Mackenzie Strachan, David Eguaibor and Liam Parker.

The Dons lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation with a back four of Jensen, Milne, Knoester and Shinnie in front of Hampden hero Mitov. Clarkson sat in  with Palaversa beside him while Milanovic and Keskinen were in the wide berths with Boyd in the ten role behind Yengi.

Aberdeen were the first to threaten in 4 minutes when Shinnie’s left wing cross picked out Yengi at the far post, but he couldn’t keep his header on target.

Clarkson’s corner from the right was met by Jack Milne whose header was easily held by Mutch. A great chance for the Dons on 17 minutes as Jensen’s excellent through ball found Milanovic racing into the box, but Mutch reacted superbly to turn his shot wide for a fruitless corner. Shortly after, Palaversa had a shot from the edge of the box, but Mutch saved again. The former Dons youth keeper was making a good impression.

Dimi Mitov’s first action came on 21 minutes as he dived to his left to save a snapshot from Cove’s trialist striker.

Aberdeen’s opening goal of the season came courtesy of the left foot of Ante Palaversa on 23 minutes, the midfielder stroking the ball past Mutch after being picked out on the edge of the box by Shinnie. The keeper got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.

The Dons were playing with real purpose and Milanovic curled a left footed effort wide after cutting in from the right, a move which fans will no doubt see many times from the Australian as the season progresses.

Fletcher Boyd was having more influence on the game and on 33 minutes, a lovely ball from the youngster set Yengi free in the box. Instead of shooting from a tight angle, he unselfishly squared the ball to Milanovic who somehow managed to scoop the ball on to the bar rather than into the net from point blank range. An early contender for miss of the season.

The Aussie winger was undaunted by his mishap and tried his luck from distance again in the 39th minute, the effort dipping narrowly over the bar.

A scare for the Dons in the 42nd minute, Mitov saving from Fyvie before seeing a second effort from Cove headed off the line by Knoester. Play raged to the other end and Mutch saved smartly from Topi Keskinen to keep the half time deficit to a single goal after an entertaining 45 minutes.

Half-Time – Cove Rangers 0 Aberdeen 1

A raft of changes from Aberdeen at half time saw only Jensen, Knoester and Clarkson of the starting eleven begin the second period.

A quick ball into the middle by Megginson almost created an opening for Eguaibor, but he could not get a decent connection on the ball which fell comfortably for Suman.

Mats Knoester almost found a first goal for Aberdeen when he got his head on a dinked cross from Pape Gueye, but Demus was alert and saved well.  The sub keeper made an even better save on 61 minutes turning a fine Gueye shot over the top.

A minute later a dangerous Fyvie free kick found its way to the back post, but Eguaibor put the ball past when it looked easier to score.

Clarkson picked out Aouchiche at the edge of the box from a corner, but the Frenchman’s effort didn’t curl enough to test Demus.

A well worked move on 72 minutes saw an opening created for Gueye but a timely block from Cove’s trialist defender closed off the opportunity. The big striker then saw his header from Morris’s cross land on the roof of the net.

Leighton Clarkson was withdrawn on 81 minutes, Zak To coming on to make a first team debut. Aberdeen were in control of the match but Cove always provided a threat when they went forward and Kjartansson had to look lively to head a dangerous cross behind.

The Dons finally got a second goal in the 90th minute when Nicky Devlin rolled the ball in after good link up play between Aouchiche and Pape Gueye.

A good workout for both sides with Aberdeen’s greater class and experience edging the victory.

We wish everyone at Balmoral Stadium all the very best for the forthcoming season, their next game at home to Spartans on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm. For the Dons fans, their next sight of their heroes on the pitch will be at the Pittodrie friendly against Ipswich Town on Friday 25th July, 7.30pm kick off.