Tamworth 1 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen were boosted for the start of the match here in Tamworth with the news that Andrew Considine would make his first start for nearly six months. He took his place in a back four with Ifil, Diamond and McArdle with trialist Yoann Folly in the middle of the park alongside Foster, Fyvie and Robertson. McGhee selected a front pairing of Mackie and Magennis and it was these two who combined in two minutes to give Aberdeen an early lead. The Dons had started well and a brilliant ball through from Fraser Fyvie from deep in his own half found Darren Mackie who passed inside to Josh Magennis. The big striker cut inside and hammered the ball into the net at the second attempt for his first goal for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen were rarely troubled by the home side and the defence, marshalled by skipper Zander Diamond, looked solid, with Andrew Considine at left back. Although in control they didnt create much after the blistering start, their next effort on goal came in 15 minutes with Yoann Folly shooting wide. Midway through the half Josh Magennis almost returned the favour for his assist from Darren Mackie. He set up his fellow striker 18 yards out but Mackie's shot was blocked.

A few minutes later Josh Magennis almost grabbed another goal after a good move by Aberdeen. Foster found Clark Robertson on the left and his cross found Magennis, who headed just over the bar. On the half hour mark Tamworth keeper David Grof did well to block a Magennis shot and the first half ended with Tamworth on a rare attack. However the Dons defence stood firm after fullback Richard Tait crossed into the box and Jerel Ifill made a decisive clearence.

With the Dons leading Mark McGhee made five changes at the interval. Howard, Mackie, Magennis, Robertson and Considine all being replaced by Bain, Maguire, Megginson, Paton and trialist Jim Collins. In the 50th minute a great ball by Ryan Jack almost brought a second goal for the Dons. His wicked pass into the box was chased by Mitch Megginson, but the striker was inches away from connecting with the ball. Two minutes later Chris Maguire played a lovely pass through to Fraser Fyvie. The youngster ran into the box and hit a vicious shot that was saved by the Tamworth keeper.

The home side did force Bain into a save with Kyle Perry firing in a shot that the substitute keeper punched clear on 52 minutes. From the subsequent corner Tamworth levelled when a great cross into the box by Jay Smith was headed home by Kyle Perry, but it was poor marking by Aberdeen. However the Dons responded and forced Tamworth on to the back foot. Chris Maguire was unlucky to see a volley deflected wide after Zander Diamond had nodded the ball into his path from the edge of the box.

Dons trialist Jim Collins looked lively and showed some good skill to beat Craig Reid, but the Tamworth defender brought the striker down with a cynical challenge. Collins again looked impressive minutes later, showing some good skill to beat two Tamworth defenders and lay a nice pass into the feet of Chris Maguire. Maguire crossed into the box and it was Collins who collected the return and fired in a shot that was defelcted wide. The crowd of 734 were enjoying the match with a couple of hundred Dons fans making the long trip to see their side in action.

It was all Aberdeen in the closing stages and trialist Jim Collins could and maybe should have scored after a great Chris Maguire cross into the box. He headed over at the back post with the Tamworth keeper stranded. With ten minutes left Jim Collins almost made amends for that miss. He was picked out by Michael Paton and flicked the ball up before firing in a volley that went just inches over the bar. The match finished 1-1 but it was a useful exercise wit the Dons creating several chances. Next it's on to Stoke on Tuesday night for the second match on this pre-season tour at Port Vale.