Deveronvale 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Paul Sheerin made four changes to the starting eleven following the Texo Challenge Trophy loss to Blyth Spartans on Sunday, bringing in the experience of Stevie May along with Sam Jackson, Lyall Booth and Luke Turner.

Deveronvale had made a disappointing start to the Highland League going down 2-0 at home to Nairn County but boss Steven Dolan made just the one change as Courtney Cooper was drafted in.
Stevie May created the first opening of the game with a powerful run down the right, but Pennet saved well with his legs as the striker tried to sneak the ball past him at his near post.

Adams limped off in the 8th minute to be replaced by ex-Don Sam Robertson. Shortly after a fine May crossed was deflected just out of the reach of the inrushing Sean Linden.

Aberdeen were having plenty of the ball, but Vale were keeping their shape well and not letting their opponents get in behind them. Sam Robertson made a great run down the right but there were no takers for his cross. The Dons then broke nicely through Linden and Lloyd Robertson but again the cross was snuffed out.

The home side were looking comfortable in the first quarter of the game and Paul Sheerin was looking for more urgency from his players. May was making some good runs as he tried to create space, but the ball just wasn't being fed through to him.

Vale created a chance for themselves just past the half hour, Noble shooting strongly, but too high. Pennet was then forced to save well from Seb Ross after an incisive burst forward from May. Sam Jackson saved brilliantly with his feet to deny Charlesworth after a slip at the back from the Dons defence then at the other end Aitken defended a Linden cross brilliantly with a couple of gold shirts waiting to profit from any slip. From the corner Lloyd Robertson had an effort on goal, Pennet saving comfortably.

It was proving to be a frustrating opening 45 for the Dons as Vale defended solidly while still providing a threat at the other end, Noble and Cooper both having attempts on goal.
May spun in the box but shot too high as the half tome whistle blew with the game desperately needing a goal.

Half time - Deveronvale 0 Aberdeen 0

Aberdeen were out of the blocks quickly after the break, the Vale defence however standing firm in the face of the first real period of sustained pressure from the visitors.
Dunn was booked on 53 minutes for a body-check on May as the Dons man tried to break through, the resulting free kick coming to nothing. Noble had a half chance for the Highland League side, the ball from Willox just being a half yard too strong.

Seb Ross clipped the top of the bar with a curling shot as the Dons continued to dominate possession without asking too many serious questions of Pennet and his defence. Gauld was booked on 63 minutes as for the first time the home side look rattled.

Jack Chesser and Connor Barron were introduced in 65 minutes as May and Virtanen were withdrawn.

Having weathered a mini storm, Vale came into the game more and forced a couple of corners, however they couldn't test Jackson. Ramsay forced a solid save from Pennet as the game moved towards its final quarter of an hour with the tie very much in the balance.

Barron tried his luck with a twenty-five yard free kick, Pennet right behind the ball again to save well. One goal was going to surely settle the match, but it was hard to see from where it was going to come. There was plenty of perspiration from both sides but not a lot of inspiration.

Frustration was getting the better of Dons coach Paul Sheerin and he was yellow carded by the ref for a comment as he queried the length of time Pennet was being given to take a goal kick.
On 83 minutes, the deadlock was finally broken as Seb Ross coolly clipped the ball past Pennet with his left foot. A very welcome goal from the captain as the game looked to be destined for penalty kicks.

Kieran Shanks came on to replace Linden for the final few minutes.

Ramsay picked up a caution just before Shanks had a glorious chance to seal the match, Pennet making a great save as the Dons tried to profit from a four on one breakaway.

Shanks was booked for dissent then Aberdeen won a spot-kick as Ruth was fouled in the box by Aitken. The striker dusted himself down before despatching the penalty to seal a hard fought victory.

Aberdeen's opponents in the next round will be Banks O' Dee who knocked us out of the tournament last season.

Full time - Deveronvale 0 Aberdeen 2

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Paul Sheerin spoke to Andrew Shinie after the game:

"I was frustrated. I thought the first half was disappointing. Where we have been in the last few games, and the standards we have set, I thought we dropped below them. And once you start these games not quite at it, it is difficult to get going.

"And we certainly found that.

"We left things to chance. Sam makes a good save in the first half when they could have scored.

"I thought the second half we were better.

"Territorially we dominated the game. I don't think they caused us too many problems in the second half. There was a bit more control in the possession, better forward runs, better decision making. Granted me maybe did not work the goalkeeper quite enough but the fact we were patient was pleasing and we have eventually managed to get the goal through Seb.

"They then throw bodies forward and we pick another one on the count attack when we win the penalty.

"Stevie May made a lot of really good runs in the first half but we did not pick them out which was frustrating. He was very hard working and showed a great attitude and you hope that rubs off on the younger players.

"We played Banks of Dee last year and we will face them again in the next round of this competition. It was a really tough game and on the night they were very good.

"We are in this competition like everyone else to try and win it and we are a scalp for teams. They will want to put us in our place. These are good challenges for our young players and they have to accept that teams will want to ruffle their feathers. We have to be more ready for that than we were last year."