Aberdeen 4 - 2 Coventry City

Having been knocked out of the European Cup in the first round by Dynamo Berlin (on Penalty Kicks), the Dons used a Tuesday evening for a friendly match with Coventry City in front of 10,000 supporters. Aberdeen opened brightly and a Willie Miller run through the middle followed by a pass to Frank McDougall wrong-footed Ogrizovic. The keeper, however, recovered well to parry McDougall's flick towards the empty goal. The Coventry keeper was soon in action again saving a low deflected shot from Neil Simpson. Coventry also had attacking idea and Latchford had a scoring chance when a long clearance bounced awkwardly in the Aberdeen goalmouth. He turned the wrong way and lost possession. Jim Leighton was called into action when he saved a grounder from Gibson and then he dived to brilliantly turn aside a first-time shot from Hibbitt.
The home team opened the scoring in 14 minutes when McDougall failed to control Miller's cross and the ball broke to Ian Angus, who swept it into the net. Coventry continued to be dan¬gerous on the break and a Hibbitt try was diverted for a corner. Then Angus had a shot well saved before the Dons increased their lead in 28 minutes when McOrath diverted a Billy Stark cross into his own goal. Two minutes later Stewart McKimmie was injured and helped to the touchline. In his absence Coventry scored when Latchford finished off a combined move in 32 minutes. Steve Cowan replaced McKimmie and Aberdeen continued to dominate the exchanges with the keeper excelling in saving from Simpson.
The Dons were not to be denied and a third goal arrived in 42 minutes when McDougall chipped the ball into the net after a build-up involving Angus, Ian Porteous and Simpson.

Despite heavy rain showers there was plenty of fast, entertaining football on view. Bennett came on for Thompson and the newcomer immediately threat¬ened the Aberdeen goal. His run and shot brought a corner kick in 53 minutes and the resultant cross bobbed about in the goalmouth before Gibson's hook shot was deflected past the unsighted Leighton. A big cheer came from the crowd in 57 minutes when Peter Weir, making his first appearance of the season, replaced Porteous. A Miller cross was missed by Ogrizovic but Eric Black's shot went over the bar Doyle came on for Hibbitt and the visitors were lucky not to lose another goal a minute later. A McDougall shot was turned round the post by the keeper and, following the subsequent corner kick, a Stark header was blocked on the goal-line by Adams.
The visitors made two more substitu¬tions, Evans and Spring replacing Gibson and Adams. Brian Grant made his first team debut when he appeared for Stark. Aberdeen's constant pressure brought a fourth goal in 85 minutes. Angus was brought down by Stephens and McDougall converted the penalty kick. Weir made a comparatively quiet comeback but he involved himself in the action, which must have pleased manager Ferguson. McDougall brought his tally of goals to eight in five games.

Source: Match Programme, 12th August 1995

N.B. No Programme Issued