FC Zwolle 2 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen this afternoon lost the second match of their pre-season trip to Holland against FC Zwolle who play in the country's second top division. The Dutch side that include Jaap Stam, Georgi Hristov and Johnny Rep as their former players, just missed out on promotion to the top league last season were always going to be a good test for the Dons. After a poor first half display, the reds improved after break and took the lead when Gary McDonald finished off a good move with a well taken goal, his first for the club. Just as it seemed the Dons were cruising to victory Derk Boerrigter popped up with two late goals to steal the win.

Jimmy made three changes from the last time out, Langfield, Mackie and Mair all coming into the side. The team lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. Jamie Langfield returned between the sticks. Considine, Severin and Mair were the back three with Mulgrew and Foster the wing backs. McDonald, Kerr and Jamie Smith were in the middle with Mackie and Miller up front. The Dons had two trialists on the bench. Defender Lecsinel has been allowed to return home as he is not fit. However striker Dyon Camero has been joined by Sefanja Davids who spent some time at Pittodrie in May. Davids, who is a relation of Dutch internationalist Edgar, is a defensive midfielder.

The Dons however struggled to adapt to the formation and were on the back foot for most of the first half. They had to rely on Jamie Langfield who made three excellent saves. On 11 minutes he tipped an effort over the bar and after 25 minutes got a good hand on the ball to push it wide. The home side also missed two glorious chances that they should have scored.

The Dons first real chance of the half came when McDonald made a great forward run. He was picked out by Foster on the right by the keeper just got out in time to intercept.

Midway through the first half Jimmy Calderwood changed the formation to a 4-1-3-2, Kerr sitting in front of the back four. Mair moving to left back and Foster at right. Mulgrew in the midfield now with Smith and McDonald.

The weather was very humid and after 34 minutes the game was stopped for a water break. The referee rightly making the player take some water on board in the hot conditions. When the game restarted McDonald thought he had his first Aberdeen goal. Mackie and Smith combined well. Jamie put in a great low cross which McDonald tucked away by the linesman correctly had his flag up.

Jimmy made no changes at half time but you could clearly see he was far from happy with the first half display.

What ever he said did work as Aberdeen started the second half in much better fashion. They put in a far better performance, with far more fluency in their play. The home side meanwhile never seemed to get going and it was no surprise then when Aberdeen took the lead, with what was their best move of the game. Considine played a well weighted ball to Lee Miller. Lee out jumped his marker and Gary McDonald made another good forward run. He was one on one with the keeper and showed good composure to place to ball home with his left foot. The midfielder has had his critics so far amongst some of the Red Army but today he showed far more of what he is all about, making some great forward breaks.

The Dons made their first change of the afternoon on 55 minutes when Chris Maguire replaced Lee Mair. Aberdeen then made a double substitution on 70 minutes. Trialist Davids and Pawlett coming on for Kerr and Miller.

The Dons were at this point cruising and it looked like they were heading for victory. However there was to be a sting in the tale. On 83 minutes Jamie Smith gave away what looked like a very soft free kick 25 yards out. It was taken by Derk Boerrigter who hit a left foot shot through the wall and into the net. Langfield who had played so well all game, was furious the ball was allowed to go through the wall in front of him. Worse was to follow though. Three minutes later the Dons defence was guilty of some sloppy passing at the back. The ball fell to Boerrigter who was unmarked in the box and he had the simplest of tasks firing the ball home.

In between that trialist Dyon Camero had come on for Mackie. It is likely both Davids and Camero will get a chance to play a greater part in the games on Wednesday or Thursday.