Arbroath 1 – 4 Aberdeen
Arbroath lost out to a strong Aberdeen XI at Gayfield today in the final friendly match of the pre-season.
With the Lichties having their free date in the Betfred Cup an experienced Aberdeen side visited Gayfield with ex Lichtie Manager and now Aberdeen U20s coach Paul Sheerin in the away dugout alongside Aberdeen Manager Derek McInnes.
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell gave starts to Gomes, Dunlop, Thomson, Gold, Malin, and Callaghan with Mutch, Hamilton, McCord, Kader, Linn and Doris all dropping to the bench from Wednesday’s starting line up. Despite being on the bench, Kane Hester has been suffering with a thigh strain and was also unwell this afternoon.
Arbroath were on the backfoot early on as an Aberdeen side including the likes of Neil Alexander, Peter Pawlett and Miles Storey started to put pressure on the Arbroath defence, but the Lichties started to pass the ball and a Callaghan strike was well over but a Scott effort in the 23rd minute was just wide of Alexander’s post.
Aberdeen took the lead in the 30th minute when Pawlett tapped home a cut back, and the Dons soon doubled their lead when the impressive Jayden Stockley found the net in the 33rd minute.
Arbroath’s best chance in the first half came from an unlikely source but defenfer Dunlop showed great composure after the ball fell to him at the edge of the box from a corner and his rocket beat Alexander but just nicked the paint off the crossbar.
But it was Aberdeen who were to increase their lead just on the stroke of half time as Stockley netted his second from close range after another cut back down the Aberdeen left wing.
The second half had been flat as both managers started to mix in substitutes but the game really sprung to life in the 66th minute. Martin Scott put pressure on Peter Pawlett with a challenge, but the Don’s midfielder wasn’t happy and lashed out with a slap to the face of Scott, who then retaliated. Both sets of Players then ran towards the incident before referee Craig Charleston sent both players off.
This is a blow to the Lichties with Scott and Little now facing 2 match suspensions for the final 2 betfred cup games.
As play restarted, substitute Doris almost grabbed a stunning equaliser as he robbed the defender before shooting first time but Alexander produced a spectacular save to match the strike.
Aberdeen netted their 4th in the 81st minute when Storey again hit into an empty net after another cutback, but Arbroath did get a consolation goal when David Gold headed in from a Bobby Linn corner.
More to follow –
Arbroath
1 – Ricky Gomes
2 – Mark Whatley (c)
3 – Josh Thomson
4 – Michael Dunlop
5 – Ricky Little
6 – David Gold
7 – Liam Callaghan (Linn 63)
8 – Gavin Malin (McCord 58)
9 – Bryan Prunty (Doris 58)
10 – Martin Scott
11 – Gary Phillips (Kader 46)
Substitutes
12 – Omar Kader – 11
14 – Colin Hamilton
15 – Bobby Linn – 7
16 – Ryan McCord – 8
17 – Kane Hester
18 – Steven Doris – 9
21 – Robbie Mutch (GK)
Dismissal – Scott 66
Goal – Gold 83
Aberdeen
25 – Neil Alexander
2 – Jamie Henry (Ross 68)
3 – Danny Harvie (Aucho 50)
4 – Craig Storie
5 – Anthony O’Connor (c)
6 – Scott McKenna
7 – Peter Pawlett
8 – Miles Storey (McLennan 84)
9 – Jayden Stockley (Roscoe 78)
10 – Wes Burns
11 – Scott Wright
Substitutes
12 – Khalid Aucho (T) – 3
14 – Frank Ross – 2
15 – Dylan Thomas
16 – Connor McLennan – 8
17 – Sam Roscoe – 9
18 – Sam Robertson
1 – Joe Lewis (GK)
Dismissal – Pawlett 66
Goals – Pawlett 30, Stockley 33, 44, Storey 81
Referee – Craig Charleston
Assistant 1 – Steven Traynor
Assistant 2 – Alex Shepherd
Attendance – 449
