Aberdeen 0 - 5 Kilmarnock

Game four of this season's Reserve League saw Aberdeen welcome Kilmarnock to the home of Highland League champions Cove Rangers. Killie travelled north after a solid start to the season, winning two and drawing one of their three games so far. Meanwhile, the Dons looked to bounce back from last week's defeat to Celtic.

A very youthful home side was skippered by Jack MacKenzie while Luke Turner made a first appearance for the reserves after helping Ireland's Under 17s defeat Turkey twice in recent friendly matches.
By contrast the visitors had a healthy representation of first team men in their side, including Kris Boyd who is fully 17 years older than strike partner Innes Cameron.

Aberdeen were quickly out of the traps and David Dangana fired narrowly wide after only a minute. Rory McKenzie had a shot well saved by David Craddock, but the keeper almost sold the jerseys seconds later when his attempted clearance went straight to Boyd, the striker showing a surprising lack of composure as he blazed high over.
After Cameron had tested Craddock, Killie took the lead on 8 minutes, McKenzie glancing a near-post header past the keeper after a fine cross from full back Millen.
The Dons were finding it difficult against their vastly more experienced opponents and Boyd fired well over the bar after creating a yard of space in the penalty area. On 17 minutes a delightful chipped ball into the box from Morgan Brown picked out Dangana. The striker took a good first touch, but MacKay was quickly off his line to block the effort - a golden opportunity passed up, but credit to the keeper for making a fine save.
A brilliant run by Ethan Ross ended with the ball landing at Jack MacKenzie's feet and the skipper's powerful shot looked net-bound until Waters diverted it behind for a fruitless corner. The Dons weren't overawed by the Rugby Park side and were starting to have much more influence on the match.
Captain MacKenzie was leading by example and another foray forward from the full back ended with Ross forcing a save from MacKay in the Killie goal.
Kilmarnock doubled their advantage on 39 minutes, Kris Boyd getting the merest of touches with his head to divert a curling Thomas cross past Craddock. A tough one for the young Dons to take as they had enjoyed their best period in the game over the previous 15 minutes.
With a minute to go to the interval Jack Chesser was yellow carded after a foul on opposite number McKenzie. A tough opening half for Paul Sheerin's kids but they had enjoyed some good moments and were probably deserving better than being two goals behind.

Half time Aberdeen Reserves 0 Kilmarnock Reserves 2

Danny Strachan replaced Jack Chesser at the interval and slotted in at right back allowing Miko Virtanen to move to midfield.

A minute into the second period Kris Boyd was once again profligate in front of goal skying a shot out of the ground from only eight yards after good work from Millen.
Three minutes later Dom Thomas blasted a left-foot shot off the bar as Killie pressed for a third goal which would surely seal the points. Craddock blocked well from Cameron before an Ethan Ross free kick caused confusion in the visitors' box. However, it was Kris Boyd at the double for the Rugby Park outfit on 56 minutes as they made it 3-0, the burly striker netting from close range after fine work from Rory McKenzie.
On the hour mark it was four, Innes Cameron racing on to a Thomas pass to hold off McGregor before slotting the ball past a helpless Craddock. It was to be the striker's final meaningful action as he was replaced by McDonald on 66 minutes.
Killie's Millen was the second name into Mat Northcroft's black book after an off the ball clash with MacKenzie - the full back perhaps lucky to stay on the park after a verbal outburst in the wake of the yellow card.
Conor Power replaced Lewis Duncan on 69 minutes as the Dons looked for an element of damage limitation. Killie made a second change on 74, Lynch taking over from Barlow. A lovely one-two at the edge of the box saw McKenzie burst clear of the Dons defence to complete the nap hand for Kilmarnock on 81 minutes. A flurry of substitutions saw Shanks and Dalling replace Dangana and Turner in the home ranks while Barr and McClevy took the places of Millen and Waters for Killie.
Dalling headed just over as the Dons sought a consolation goal then Boyd again shot miles over as the game, long ended as a contest, moved to its conclusion.

A tough learning experience for the Dons who were no match for a very strong Kilmarnock side.