ABERDEEN'S preparations for the new season suffered an embarrassing setback when a full-strength side were comprehensively defeated by north-east rivals Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium last night.
Peterhead, under the guidance of one of Aberdeen's
1983 Cup- Winners' Cup heroes, Neale Cooper, controlled long spells of the game and can approach their impending Second Division campaign with confidence on the evidence of this display.
Even the mighty Manchester United could only put two past the Dons defence last weekend, but the winning margin certainly didn't flatter the home side here.
They made their SPL rivals, with new signings Bertrand Bossu, Mark Kerr and Gary McDonald in the line-up, look distinctly ordinary with an impressive first-half performance that might have brought a goal as early as the first minute.
It took a top-quality save from Aberdeen's recently signed French goalkeeper Bossu to deflect Martin Bavidge's 20-yard drive round the post, but the veteran striker did get his reward later in the opening period.
That came in 31 minutes when he confidently deflected Graeme Sharp's cross into the right-hand corner of the net with his instep to round off a flowing move.
The winger had embarrassed Stuart Duff with his pace to create the opening but no more so than Craig Gunn had done to Lee Mair when opening the scoring in 16 minutes.
He gathered a long ball from former Aberdeen player Neil McVitie and when Mair stood back inviting a shot, the striker obliged by hitting a powerful drive under Bossu from the edge of the area.
The visitors' performance did not improve in the second half, and there was no surprise when Bobby Mann lashed in a 25-yard free kick ten minutes from time that flew into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Aberdeen's humiliation was complete in the last minute when substitute Konrad Kozminski raced clear to complete the scoring with a well taken effort.
Peterhead: Jarvie (Kula 46), Donald, Moore, Mann, Skinner (D Munro 70), McVitie, Sharp, Gunn (Kozminski 75), Bavidge (Bagshaw 83), Anderson (Cowie 75), McKay (H Munro 70).
Aberdeen: Bossu, Duff (S Smith 46), Foster, Kerr, Mair, Considine, De Visscher (Pawlett 70), McDonald (Stewart 70), Mackie, J Smith (Young 46), Maguire (Miller 46). Sub not used: Langfield.
Referee: F McDermott
Jim McInally's East Stirling side got their pre-season tour of England off to a flyer on Thursday night when Marc McKenzie grabbed the only goal of the game against Boston United in 14 seconds.
RESULTSFriendly matches: Dumbarton 0, Morton 1; Peterhead 4, Aberdeen 0; Southampton 0, Celtic 2; Kidderminster 2, Plymouth 2; Swindon 1, Portsmouth 3; York 2, Middlesbrough 2.
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