Benoni Premier Utd 2 - 3 Aberdeen

HT Score: Benoni Premier Utd 2 - 2 Aberdeen

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Benoni Premier Utd scorers: Moke 17, Okator 34
Aberdeen scorers: Lovell 26, Mackie 31, Crawford 86.

22/07/2006 | KO: 15:00

Crawford grabs late winner

Goals from Stevie Lovell, Darren Mackie and Steve Crawford gave Aberdeen a 3-2 win in the final match of their four game South African tour although there was a concern for the Pittodrie camp when skipper Russell Anderson went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury in the 25th minute although it appears he will be fine for Saturday's SPL opener at Easter Road.

Jimmy Calderwood picked a strong looking side as his thoughts turn to next Saturday's SPL opener. In a 4-4-2 formation Jamie Langfield was picked in goals, Anderson was partnered by Touzani again in the centre of defence, and Mackie and Lovell started up front.

Benoni Premier United, who were promoted to the top league in South Afica last season came out fighting and were certainly not holding back with some of their tackles.

United took the lead in the 17th minute when one of their strikers turned Anderson and played the ball in behind Karim Touzani for Moke to score.

There was a major scare for the Dons when captain Russell Anderson was taken off in the 25 minute. The move seemed more cautionary than anything else. Anderson was replaced by John Stewart.

The Dons levelled in the 36th minute when a brilliant Richard Foster through ball left Steve Lovell one on one with the keeper and he made no mistake from twelve yards.

Five minutes later Foster, who had an excellent game and a hand in all of Aberdeen's goals, crossed from the left for Lovell to head off the crossbar. The ball fell kindly for Darren Mackie who turned it into the net.

The Dons advantage only lasted a few minutes and a through ball disected Touzani and Michael Hart for Okator to nip in and prod the ball beyond Langfield.

Jimmy Calderwood decided to give everyone a run out. Early into the second half Jamie Winter replaced Barry Nicholson and David Donald took over from Chris Clark. Then on 70 minutes Crawford came on for Lovell and Hamama was given another game as he replaced Smith. Finally young Chris Maguire came on for Mackie.

In an even second period, Aberdeen's best chance came when a Jamie Smith corner found Jamie Winter twenty yards out. His effort crashed off a defender, falling to Mackie, who could only hit the sidenetting.

Aberdeen were not to be denied however and with four minutes remaining a Foster free kick eighteen yards out was knocked to substitute Steve Crawford who lashed the ball into the net off the crossbar.

Michael Hart, who was booked along with Foster and John Stewart, became the third captain of the afternoon when Chris Clark, who had taken the armband when Anderson went off, was substituted.

This was a fine win by the Dons who were subjected to some physical tackles from their hosts and some dubious refereeing decisions.