Banks o’ Dee made their SPFL Trust Trophy debut tonight, after their commendable 4th place finish in the Highland League last season. They were rewarded a home tie against local rivals Aberdeen ‘B’, which saw a healthy crowd travel to Spain Park on a mild summer evening.

Last time out

The sides last met in December 2023, where Banks o’ Dee defeated an academy select at Balmoral Stadium to lift the Aberdeenshire Shield. Goals from Lachie MacLeod and Chris Antoniazzi on the night won the cup for The Dee, in an entertaining game between the sides.

Form

Last weekend saw the opening round of the Highland League, where Banks o’ Dee overcame Formartine United 0-2 at North Lodge Park. Lachie Macleod and Andy Hunter were on the scoresheet, bringing home vital points from a tricky venue. Despite such early stages in the season, Banks o’ Dee will need to keep winning against the top teams to ensure a chance at the title come April.

Aberdeen ‘B’ are yet to play before this evening, but players such as Fletcher Boyd and Alfie Bavidge have made their mark for the first team in the latter parts of the Premiership last season, and Aberdeen’s summer friendly schedule. Boyd’s strike against Hibernian, just moments after making his debut for the first team, was applauded by Aberdeen fans who will look to assess his skill tonight.

Lineups

Iain Vigurs made his first competitive start for Banks o’ Dee, with Mark Gilmour dropping to the bench. Christian Antoniazzi was the second player to come in after Saturday’s match against Formartine, replacing Andrew Hunter. Aberdeen named no senior players in their team, which was captained by Dylan Lobban. Notable players include Boyd, Bavidge, and Adam Emslie, who had a successful spell at Formartine last season. They began the game in a 3-4-3 formation, whilst Bank’s O Dee played a 4-2-3-1.

The Match

The home side kicked off their SPFL Trust Trophy debut, with a sole striker in Lachie Macleod. Cautious of Aberdeen’s blistering pace, Banks o’ Dee held firm in the opening stages, catching the young Dons offside as they looked to create early goalmouth action. The first corner would go to Aberdeen, when Boyd beat his man down the wing and drilled the ball into the box, which ricocheted between the keeper and the defender and behind. Aberdeen maintained pressure in the final third for the opening 15, before Banks o’ Dee made their first forays forward through Michael Philipson. The ball fell to the attacking midfielder just beyond the 18-yard box, and he connected well, forcing a fine save from Aberdeen keeper Rodrigo Vitols.

The Dons looked set to take the lead in the 25th minute when a Vigurs header fell into the path of Bavidge with a clear sight on goal. He took his shot early, with Banks o’ Dee keeper Daniel Hoban getting down quickly to his right to prevent the opener. Aberdeen midfielder Findlay Marshall would be the first player to enter referee Steven MacDonald’s book when he blatantly blocked Antoniazzi, who was looking to progress into the box. The resultant freekick was taken by Philipson, who skillfully lofted the ball over the Aberdeen wall and into the bottom right corner, giving Banks o’ Dee the lead on the 33rd minute. With more assurance, Banks o’ Dee looked to grab a second before half time and almost found a way through with Antonazzi, with his shot well saved by the keeper. Aberdeen looked dazed and struggled to make an impact, ending the half on the back foot.

Aberdeen restart the match with a renewed vigour, almost equalising in the 51st minute when Marshall played a neat reverse pass through to Boyd, who rounded the keeper and manged a shot on goal, with last man Mark Reynolds preventing the goal with a headed goal-line clearance. It would also be Reyonds’ last action of the game, who had been struggling with a calf issue. He and Kacper Lewecki made was for Darryn Kelly and Mark Gilmour. Aberdeen had their own injury blow, when Bavidge pulled up in the 56th minute. He hobbled off the park and was replaced by Ellis Clark, with Emslie taking the striker role. Vigurs would be the next player to enter the book, cynically slicing at Boyd. His number was called after the foul, and was replaced by Scott Milne. The numerous stops in play halted Aberdeen’s progress, allowing Banks o’ Dee more chances going forward. The minutes ticked by and Aberdeen were still unable to find that dangerous ball through, with Banks o’ Dee making their final two subs on the 72nd minute. Aberdeen’s Alfie Stewart provided some flair in the closing stages, dancing past two Banks o’ Dee midfielders before deciding to take a dive in front of the referee. A yellow was quickly rewarded for his actions, and Banks o’ Dee began to slow the game down. The most dramatic moment of the half occurred when Fraser Mackie’s shot was only half dealt with by the Banks o’ Dee keeper, and defender Nathan Cooney had to loft the ball high over his own net from within 5 yards to prevent a late equaliser. A final chance would fall for Aberdeen in the 2nd minute of injury time when Marshall flashed the ball just wide of the left post, but in the end it was a comfortable victory for the home side, with Aberdeen’s performance ultimately being quite feeble.

A successful debut for Banks o’ Dee in the Trust Trophy has awarded them a tasty second round fixture against Elgin City at Borough Briggs. The only team in the Highland League with a Bronze SPFL criteria certification, the side will be dreaming of the title and a potential look at the professional leagues. It’s back to the drawing board for Peter Leven’s academy side, with many of the players looking for loans across the lower leagues. Banks o’ Dee will welcome Lossiemouth F.C. to Spain Park on Saturday.

Match Facts

Goals:

Banks o’ Dee	Aberdeen ‘B’
M. Philipson- 33′

Bookings:

Banks o’ Dee	Aberdeen ‘B’
I. Vigurs- 62′	F. Marshall- 32′
N. Cooney- 89′	A. Stewart- 83′

Substitutions:

Banks o’ Dee	Aberdeen ‘B’
M. Reynolds & K. Lewecki ↓ D. Kelly & M. Gilmour ↑- 52′	A. Bavidge ↓ E. Clark ↑- 59′
I. Vigurs ↓ S. Milne ↑- 63′	F. Boyd ↓ F. Mackie ↑- 77′
L. Emmett & L. MacLeod ↓ A. Stark & J. Selbie ↑- 72′