Brechin City 2 – 8 Aberdeen

A healthy pre-season attendance in excess of 1200 witnessed a Glebe Park goal-fest as a mightily impressive Aberdeen side swept Brechin City aside in the first of The Dons’ preparation games in advance of their upcoming Europa Cup challenge.

An Adam Rooney hat-trick was a notable contribution to a match which saw new City supremo Darren Dods lead his new side for the first time. City fans recognised the core of the homesters’ opening line up with 7 known names being supplemented by 4 trialists in the starting line-up – but this was always likely to be a hugely challenging opening to the new player-manager’s tenure.

Aberdeen opened the scoring in spectacular fashion with the first telling attempt on goal, when RYAN JACK hit an utterly un-saveable drive into the top corner of the net. Callum Tapping had an ideal opportunity to equalise but failed to convert from the penalty spot, his low central drive being blocked by keeper Brown’s legs. The Dons went 2 ahead through a low ADAM ROONEY drive from the edge of the box, and he added to this soon afterwards by converting a penalty of his own.

City pulled a goal back through ANDY JACKSON, when he slotted home after an exquisitely timed through pass from midfield – but the dandy Dons scored again barely a minute later when PETER PAWLETT scored from a similar position to Rooney’s first. There was still time for David Goodwillie to hit the post before SHAY LOGAN got his name on the scoresheet two minutes before half-time, after neat interplay inside the penalty area. Half-time arrived with Aberdeen 5-1 to the good.

Half-time saw the introduction of the first of a plethora of substitutes for both sides, as each side ensured that all of their 10 replacements got at least some game time.

Only 5 second-half minutes had passed when ADAM ROONEY claimed his hat-trick as he comfortably slotted home his second penalty of the evening. The expectant crowd had to wait another 15 minutes for the next goal although, to the surprise of the Aberdeen following, it went Brechin’s way as substitute ROBERT THOMSON scored from inside the box.

Shortly afterwards, City’s trialist No 3 was unfortunate enough to be stretchered off after a block tackle on the by-line, but the goal action continued shortly afterwards as JONNY HAYES thundered home a cracking strike into the far corner from well inside the penalty box. A Cammy Smith effort was deflected on to the home crossbar before a late MICHAEL ROSE header from a corner brought the scoring to a conclusion.

Brechin City:
O’Neil, Trialist, Trialist, McCormack, Dods, Fusco, Ferguson, Tapping, Jackson, Trialist, Trialist

Subs: Thomson, McNeil, Jackson (and 7 trialists)

Aberdeen:
Brown, Logan, Considine, Taylor, McLean, Flood, Rooney, Pawlett, Goodwillie, Quinn, Jack

Subs: Langfield, Reynolds, Shinnie, Rose, Wright, Storie, Smith, Shankland, Robson, Hayes

Referee: Mat Northcroft