Ross County 0 - 1 Aberdeen

The opening fixture of the new Reserve League saw Aberdeen make the long trek north to face Ross County. Last term's fixtures between the sides in both the Development League and the Youth Cup saw entertaining, tight battles and more of the same was expected on a pleasant Dingwall afternoon. Bruce Anderson and Connor McLennan, who saw first team action on Saturday, both started while Chris Antoniazzi also featured after playing for an hour for Montrose for whom he's on loan for the season.

The opening exchanges were keenly contested by both sides, but neither was able to fashion a clear-cut opening with the play being mainly in the middle of the park. Aberdeen's first shooting chance fell to skipper Dean Campbell when he fired in a twenty-five-yard effort following a Morgan Brown corner, the County defence standing firm to block the shot to safety.
The experienced Ryan Dow had County's first shot in anger but his angled effort from the right-hand side of the box was wide of the target. On 12 minutes Dow was the provider as his pass put MacIver into a good position, but the Staggies skipper pulled his shot wide. A let-off for the visitors.
Midway through the first period the Dons combined well down the right through Miko Virtanen and Ryan Harrington and when the full-back's cross came in at the near post Bruce Anderson was first to react, but his scuffed shot was comfortably held by keeper Munro. Ten minutes later though and the Dons had the lead - albeit slightly against the run of play. Antoniazzi and McLennan combined well to slip Bruce Anderson in and he placed the ball past Munro into the net. Another example of the predatory instincts of the boy from Banff and Aberdeen were ahead.
County reacted well to going behind and Greg Morrison had two chances in the space of 30 seconds, the first saved well by Craddock and the second denied only by the width of the keeper's left-hand post. Aberdeen almost grabbed a second just before the interval but Jack MacKenzie's shot was blocked. The young full back then found his name in the ref's notebook after a foul on Paton.

Half time Ross County Reserves 0 Aberdeen Reserves 1