Cove Rangers 2 Aberdeen Emerging Talent Squad 1
KDM Evolution Trophy
Saturday 26 September, 3pm
Balmoral Stadium

Two second half goals from Jordan White and Joe Chalmers gave Cove a vital win after Joseph Teasdale had given Aberdeen a half time lead.

Having seen today’s opponents put five unanswered goals past Fraserburgh on Tuesday, Aberdeen knew they would have to lift their performance if they were to banish the memories of the loss at Banks O’Dee by getting their KDM Evolution Trophy campaign back on the rails.

So far in the competition, the Dons youngsters have beaten both League sides they have faced but have only taken one point from two games against Highland League opposition.

The Dons coaching team made a couple of changes to his starting lineup, Jamie Mercer and Sam McLean coming in to the team while Emmanuel Gyamfi continued his comeback from injury.

The opening exchanges were very even with neither goalkeeper called into action. Gyamfi suffered a knock which required treatment on eleven minutes following a clash with Olapido but was able to resume after the mandatory minute on the touchline.

The first real chance came Cove’s way in the 17th minute when a cross from Oppiong from the right fell to Max Barry at the back post but the ex Dons midfielder couldn’t get a shot on target. A minute later only a last ditch challenge from Gyamfi stopped Bisland’s powerful shot from sneaking in.

Oppiong was causing problems down Cove’s right and White should have done better than fire his cross high and wide on 24.

Aberdeen won their first corner after 31 minutes but Ross’s flag kick was easily gathered. Cove defender Lindo looked to pull his hamstring in a foot race with Teasdale and was replaced by Parker.

Francis-Burrell was the first booking after a foul on Teasdale on 38. From the resulting free kick McLean fired well wide. A dangerous free kick from Chalmers was brilliantly save by Vitols who must have seen the ball very late.

Just when it looked certain that the half would remain goal-less the Dons snatched the lead on 43 minutes, Teasdale turning McLean’s cross past Demus.

It was nearly two as stoppage time commenced, Gyamfi’s cross being smashed goalwards by McLean, Demus saving brilliantly. Oppiong then found his way into the book after a late challenge on Ross.

Not an opening half which will live long in the memory but an important lead for the young Dons.

Half time: Cove Rangers 0 Aberdeen Emerging Talent Squad 1

Maguire replaced Francis-Burrell at the break for the home team. White missed a sitter for Cove a minute later, Harrington standing up a great cross from the left only for the striker to head over when it looked easier to score.

Parity was restored as White won Cove a penalty on 49 minutes when he went down after a challenge from Carrol, the skipper firing the spot kick past Vitols with ease.

Chikomo replaced Carrol in the 54th minute after the defender had taken a knock. Great play from Searle created an opening for McLean but Demus got his angles right to avert the danger.

Both sides were pushing for the next goal and Ryan Harrington came close for Cove, firing a twenty yarder just wide. Dons skipper Zak To retaliated in kind, shooting just wide from outside the box. Layton Bisland came even closer on 62 minutes, his fierce effort crashing off the bar.

Only some desperate defending denied Oladipo after a scramble in the Dons six yard box as Cove started to take the upper hand. Gyamfi and McLean were replaced by Pocklington and Duncan on 68 minutes.

Cove freshened up their attack introducing Keir on 73 minutes, Vitols kept busy by White and Oppiong, although neither shot caused him serious problems.

The always lively Oppong fired just wide from distance as the pendulum swung in favour of the home side, Aberdeen finding it difficult enjoy any meaningful possession.

Teasdale was booked for a tug on Oppiong’s shirt with seven minutes of the 90 remaining. Joe Chalmers then produced a bit of magic on 85 as his corner sailed straight in to give Cove the lead their pressure deserved.

As the game became very stretched, Max Barry curled an excellent effort just wide. Teasdale then very nearly grabbed a stoppage time equaliser, his effort drifting just wide.

However time ran out and Cove claimed the spoils after a very competitive match which improved in quality in the second half.

Full time: Cove Rangers 2 Aberdeen Emerging Talent Squad 1

Reaction from Stuart Duff

“A game of two halves again. First half, we show pretty much what we asked the players to do, show a bit of character, a bit of intensity to the play, get their just reward with a goal at the end.

“I thought there was plenty of stuff to be pleased with in the first half. Again, falling into that kind of trap, of doing it over the duration, we find that problem just now, albeit again on Tuesday was a very similar situation. First half ok, second half, not so good, but again, we’ll take a lot of learnings from this. I think in today’s squad, it was extremely young team.

“It’s a positive day, but at the same time, it’s quite a frustrating one, because you thought the boys had maybe done enough just to hold on for a draw at the end there.

“It’s not very often you see the corner kicks directly going in, but it is what it is. And this is a young group that will be working towards, and plenty of positives, but again, there’s still plenty to be worked on.

“I think you’re seeing some of the improvements from last year. I think there’s been a few of the bad traits creep back in here and there, but again, that’s our job as coaches and our staff to eradicate that from the players.

“It’s been a really good tool (the competition), it’s almost utilised having first-team players needing match minutes, that experience alongside the younger players has been valuable at times.

“So from our perspective, it’s something we’d like to continue and do quite well in. We just have to wait and see, we’ve got one game left in this, and again, we’ll go into that with a fresh approach.

“There are a few different scenarios why they’ve come down (senior players), there might be injuries, game minutes and stuff. I can’t fault any of the players that have come down. Their attitude and application have been great. I think that’s the reason for all this competition, for development sides to be sprinkled with maybe a couple of first-team players, or guys that need minutes.

“We’re looking at from the other side, from a developmental point of view, for the younger players, there’s been a lot of good learnings and a lot of key takeaways to take away from things, to improve them, because by no means are they the finished article, we know that. But a lot of them are showing good traits within that. “He looksstronger and stronger (Gyamfi). Again, you can see it’s just match sharpness and match fitness, but I think he did extremely well.

“He’s had a couple of setbacks, but he is a really good guy, really good round the younger players, it would have been easy for him to come here today and kind of go through the motions, if you like. “But I think he got asked questions from the opposition. I think they are a really good level of side. Cove will go on to do well this year, and he was asked questions from their wingers, and that’s what he was needing.

“From his perspective, getting back in and around Aberdeen’s first team would be his key action. So hopefully he’s back sooner rather than later.

“It’s just one of those things (three on-loan Cove players featuring for Aberdeen). I think we had to plan for that all year.

“The first-team guys have had one or two days to themselves, so there was one or two available, but we needed them to come back. And it’s important they still play for Aberdeen, (on-loan players) in the respect where, if they didn’t play these games, they wouldn’t have any identity with playing for Aberdeen. They would just be at their loan clubs.

“We don’t want that for these boys. It’s so important that they’re given an opportunity to pull on that strip and showcase their ability within an Aberdeen environment. So that’s the key to it.”

Stats:

Aberdeen: 41. Rodrigo Vitols, 3. Dylan Ross, 4. Lewis Carrol (Chikomo 54′), 5. Jamie Mercer, 8. Aaron Cummings, 9. Joseph Teasdale, 10. Zak To (C), 11. Jack Searle, 16. Sam McLean (Pocklington 68′), 17. Emmanuel Gyamfi (Duncan 68′), 21. Joel Okhuoya

Subs: 20. Conlan Waldron, 2. James Jarvie, 12. Heath Duncan, 14. Kai Gauld, 15. Bradley Chikomo, 18. Max Pocklington

GOAL: Teasdale 43′

Cove Rangers: 21. Bálint Demus, 2. Layton Bisland, 4. Afonso Lindo (Parker 34′), 7. Ryan Harrington, 8. Ackeme Francis-Burrell (Maguire 46′), 9. Destiny Oladipo (Keir 73′), 10. Max Barry, 14. Joe Chalmers, 15. Arron Darge, 18. Edimondo Oppong, 26. Jordan White (C)

Subs: 1. Robbie Mutch, 12. Miller Keir, 20. Aaron Fraser, 32. Liam Parker, 77. Chris Maguire

GOALS: White (Pen) 50′ Chalmers 85′