Huntly 1 - 4 Aberdeen

Aberdeen recorded a comfortable victory against Huntly in Russell Guild's testimonial match. Once again it was Niall McGinn who starred as he fired home another hat-trick.

The Dons made the perfect start after just 4 minutes when a great cross field pass found Chris Clark's surging run down the right and he crossed superbly into the box for McGinn to grab his first of the afternoon with a cool header from 5 yards. The visitors continued to pressurise and McGinn had another good effort at goal which floated just over the bar on 9 minutes and the Dons looked dangerous every time they went forward.

On 12 minutes the Dons were on the attack again, this time Greg Wylde got the better of the Huntly full back with a fantastic turn of pace and he drove towards goal before eventually putting a dangerous ball into the box which was cleared thanks to a crucial interception. Wylde then flashed a header over the bar on 18 minutes as the Dons continued to provide some fantastic crosses into the box. On 22 minutes superb play from Wylde saw the summer signing power down the left before crossing towards Vernon in the box. He unleashed a shot but was unlucky to see it crash off the inside of the post and bounce back out.

The second goal came soon after when Chris Clark, who had an excellent game at full back, found Pawlett who crossed into the box where McGinn was standing waiting to slot home. McGinn was unlucky not to complete his hat trick moments later when he unleashed a ferocious volley which Huntly keeper Barney did well to tip it over the bar.

There were strong shouts for a penalty when the ball appeared to be handled by a Huntly player in the box but the appeals were waived away by referee David Watt. As play continued, Ryan Jack then tried to curl an effort towards the far post but it drifted just wide.

The Dons made it 3-0 before half time when a long ball fell to Scott Vernon who evaded an attempted tackle from the Huntly defence and smashed the ball beyond the Barney and into the back of the net.

Just before the break Pawlett fired an effort on goal from the edge of the box that was well held by the Huntly goalkeeper.

HT 3-0

Neither side created many in the way of chances in the early stages of the second half until Huntly forward Mark Madle cut inside Russell Anderson but fired well wide of the target on 56 minutes. Three minutes later the action was at the other end as McGinn sealed his hat-trick with a fantastic effort from the edge of the box which went beyond the Huntly keeper.

Aberdeen's 4-0 lead didn't last long though as Huntly ran up field from the kick off and Russell Anderson was adjudged to have fouled a Huntly player in the box. This gave the opportunity for testimonial man, Guild to step up and fire past Langfield to much acclaim around the ground.

Derek McInnes made four further changes with Anderson, Robertson, Flood and Jack replaced by Shaughnessy, Storie, Low and Masson and the side continued to dominate the match. Jonny Hayes fired a powerful drive towards goal on 64 minutes which Barney did well to get down to.

However the pace of the game dropped significantly following the raft of substitutions and the Dons were content to knock the ball about the park. Hat-trick hero McGinn was replaced by Cammy Smith before Danny Rogers replaced Langfield in goal and McKenna came on for Wylde.

On 82 minutes Huntly keeper Barney made a superb stop from what looked to be a fantastic goal bound header by Josh Maggenis. The game petered out with more substitutions for the home side but no more goal action. The Dons now head to Ireland on Monday after opening their pre season campaign with two victories.