Inverurie Loco Works 1 - 11 Aberdeen

The last time the Dons hit 10 was v Reykjavik in the ECWC in 1967 - which was in fact the Dons first ever European game. Aberdeen scored 9 v Fraserburgh under Jimmy Calderwood in a pre-season friendly. The Dons record score in friendly was 17-0 v Reggina on the Canadian tour in summer of 1956.

Mitch Megginson was back in the starting XI this evening after recovering from his ankle knock in Holland. And the striker was looking lively early on. He had a shot in the first couple of minutes then on six minutes had a better chance but he shot straight at the keeper.

On 10 minutes Richard Foster did really well down the left. The ball eventually found its way back to Fyvie but his shot was blocked and the danger cleared. After 15 minutes Jordon Brown made one of his trademark bursts into the box. He found himself one on one with the keeper but his snap shot was well saved. For the next little while Aberdeen enjoyed lots of possession but did not really go anywhere. Simon Scott and his fellow Locos defenders were stifling the Aberdeen attacks with relative ease.

On the half hour mark Josh Magennis had a chance after a good build up the striker shot over, much to his frustrations.

Shortly after that David Gonzalez came for a cross which he held well. A quick throw out set Fraser Fyvie free and on the break he picked out Mackie but he was just unable to beat the last defender much to his frustration. In the move Fyvie had gone down injured but thankfully he got back onto his feet shortly afterwards and on 35 minutes Fraser had a good shot from the edge of the box which went inches over.

The Dons finally took the lead on 38 minutes. Jordon Brown did really well to dispossess the left back. He played the ball quickly to Josh who crossed for Darren Mackie who fired home. Then on the stroke of half time the Dons scored an excellent second. David Gonzalez played the ball to Ryan Jack. He laid the ball forward to Brown. He put the ball down the line for Mackie to latch onto. Darren powered down the right and put in a cross. The ball was picked up by Foster whose shot was blocked but Mitch Megginson was on hand to score. Mitch deserved his goal.

At half time Megginson and Clark Robertson came off. Peter Pawlett and Kari Arnason came on. Interestingly Arnason was put into centre midfield with Isaac Osbourne dropping back to centre half.

On 51 minutes Inverurie had a chance which skimmed the top of the bar but minutes later they lost another goal.

Josh Magennis broke into the box and after what can only be described as a stramash the big Northern Irishman went down and the ref gave a penalty. Josh took the kick and put the keeper the wrong way. Josh had a chance shortly afterwards but the keeper made a great safe. Then Fyvie was through on goal but his effort produced another good save by the keeper who did well to get out so quickly and block.

On 55 minutes Kari Arnason made it four with a excellent low drive. He does look a class player. Just after that trialist goalkeeper Alex Wimmer came on to replace David Gonzalez. Peter Pawlett was looking very bright in the second half. On the hour mark he made another good forward run but fired straight at the keeper. The Highland League side could not cope with his pace.  

Credit to Inverurie whose heads did not go down. Wimmer had to look sharp on 66 minutes and then on 69 minutes the home side scored. After the Dons failed to defender in the right back area the ball was crossed for Kevin Neish who fired home.

Sadly for the home side that was the last good moment as the roof was about to fall in on them.

Darren Mackie played in Ryan Jack who showed composure to score number five. The Dons then brought on some more fresh legs. Scott Vernon, Michael Paton, and Andrew Considine all come on Darren Mackie, Fraser Fyvie and Josh Megennis.

Steven Park should have scored a second for the home side from close range after Dons failed to clear but he blasted over. On 75 minutes Paton put in an excellent cross from the right and Scott Vernon's looping header gave the keeper no chance. Pawlett forced another good save from the keeper before Paton played the ball to Scott Vernon who waited till the keeper had committed himself and then he squared the ball to Milsom who tapped into the empty net. Two minutes later Milsom tapped home again after after a mix up at back to make it eight.

Foster blasted over before Paton got the first of his three goals to make the score nine.  Nicky Low came on to replace Ryan Jack and that was probably the last thing the poor Inverurie defenders needed - wee Nicky running them about the place as well as Paton and Pawlett.  The keeper had another excellent save to deny Milsom his hat-trick but then Paton rounded him to make it 10 and then Paton completed his hat-trick and the scoring in the final few minutes. Milsom and Vernon had shots blocked but the ball fell kindly for Michael who drove it into the empty net.

A minute later the full time whistle sounded to the relief of everyone in a white shirt.