Aberdeen FC London

These absolute legends, but yesterday was always about the KING!
👑 Joe Harper

Aberdeen FC London made sure we won our game today in your honour.
LONG LIVE THE KING!

Aberdeen FC 3 - 3 Shepherds Tuesday

Manichaeism was a founded as highly popular religion/philosophy 1750-ish years ago by people who believed it was only possible to regard former Portuguese international Maniche as very good, or very bad, with no ambiguity. But football must surely allow for some ambiguity, and nothing is wholly good (and the music of Bruno Mars is surely the only thing which is wholly bad).

Rejecting duality of being as a necessity, as Mav does when confronted with a h***y pair(?) of Siamese twins, reactions were mixed to the Dons most recent outing. Periods were unequivocally good, and periods were fairly unequivocally bad. But the whole was neither: it was flawed, certainly, but it was also certainly not wholly bad, like Maniche when forced to play centre back.

The game started on the only patch of grass on the pitch, and for the opening stanza it seemed that this was because teams saw no need to touch the ball in the middle of the park. Balls went long, and were generally dealt with fairly routinely. The Dons centre midfield of George, Kieran and Brad were comfortable, but often bypassed by an opposition who looked uncomfortable on the ball. The same could not necessarily be said of the Dons, but too often a succession of quick passes was followed by a hopeful punt. On the wings, Alfie and Will worked hard and looked dangerous when they had the ball to feet, but the Dons struggled to bring them into the game. Up top, Freddie's and Jack's pressing was making the opposition skittish, but the Shepherd's defence held firm and not sh*ttish (I've had quite a lot of rum).

Nietzsche observed that, "from chaos comes order'". But, as per the Romance of the Free Kingdoms" notes, "The Empire once United must divide, once United must divide".

Thus it was. From order in the first half came momentary, and unwelcome, arrival of chaos. A hopeful long Shepherd's punt down the wing was kept alive, the ball was (in a reverse eco-friendly move) recycled back into the box, and ultimately snuck it's way into the Dons' goal.

Galvanised, in a motivational, not chemical, sense, the Dons pushed forward. Yet, with half time looming, another long ball forward found Shepherds some space. The danger seemed dealt with, but an unfortunate bounce back into the box found the Shepherd's striker space to slot a shot into the net.

Nietzsche was, of course, a bit of a f***y. There was no chaos in the Dons order, yet greater order came with a brief half-time hiatus. Manager Maverick entered the field, whilst Kieran dropped into the defence as the team moved to a 4-4-2.

Immediately, the Dons started to press forward. On the few occasions Shepherds made it out of their half, they found their strikers outwitted and the ball collected by a Dons defence led by Luke and Kieran, whilst a (literally) crunching tackle by Eamon dissuaded any attempt at running play down the wings.

Yet a goal proved elusive, for all the initial pressure. Set pieces came, and kept leaving tantalising hints of what might have been.

Thus it was, but until manager Maverick set himself a line on a corner. Summoning the spirits of the Backstreet Boys, he eschewed their nominative determinism to curl the ball into the far top corner from a corner.

With a goal back, momentum was with the Dons, and they soon made it tell again.

Eric arrived in the box, following strong build-up play, and invoked effortless elan as he continually side-stepped the despairing lunges of desperate defenders before colly slotting home.

Having pulled level, the wind was figuratively in the Dons' back (though, in a literal sense it was blowing south-to-north, and across the pitch).

Converting pressure into yet another set piece opportunity, captain Brad stepped up. His wickedly inswing ball was simply beyond the capacity of the Shepherd's defence, and a desperate attempted headed clearance did nothing more than make the goal more aesthetic.

Having converted a 2-0 headwind into a 3-2 lead, the tail was understandably in the Dons' tail, and they pushed forward.

Yet matters proved not so simple; a rare Shepherd's foray forward saw the ball rebound into the Don's box; a refereeing mix-up saw a penalty ensue. The initial effort was saved, but the follow up nestled unfortunately in the net.

Aberdeen surged forward, but a winner was not to be found.

Would Maniche have made a difference? That's not for us to say.

Match report as always, by the brilliance of Wordsworth that is Callum.

Fancy playing for the Dandy Dons?
Call Manager Maverick on 07791730588

DONS FANS IN LONDON!!!
Celtic v Aberdeen, tomorrow night!

We’ve booked some tables at this pub near our home pitch at Clapham Common on Battersea Rise called “The Merchant”.

Any takers?

The Merchant of Battersea Pub | Clapham Junction, London Nestled between the hullaballoo of Clapham Junction and the tranquillity of the Common, we are a friendly local for a wide and varied community.

Come down and support the Dons!
Game on now.
Clapham Common pitches.

STAND FREE….

Dons beat top of the table opposition twice in a week!

Mark Twain is reputedly the source of the saying: " _history does not repeat, but it does rhyme_ ".

Whilst observations of broad sociological trends may have had in initial intention grander topics than local Sunday league football, such as geopolitical imperatives or dynastic turnover, the phrasing seemed aposite on a day when the league-leading Versace Versace were overturned for the 2nd time in a week by a supposedly less fashionable (but also less repetitive) Aberdeen for the second consecutive week.

(Near) history did not repeat itself; the score was different, the ordering of goals was different, the squad was almost entirely different, and the game was (mercifully) not in Fu***ng Hackney. But it certainly rhymed, as a resolute and resilient Dons side withstood the opposition offence and delivered devastating attacks of their own to run out 3-1 winners.

A depleted but, almost, hangover-free Dons side lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, aiming to dominate the midfield battle, use the skill and pace available on the wings and bring the complementary strike force into the game as much as possible. And much of this materialised, with the central midfield trio of George, Brad and Kieran snapping into challenges and harrying the opposition, who largely resorted to long balls, seeking to take advantage of favourable wind conditions and a pitch which slowed up play considerably.

Chances were largely fleeting for the opening stanza as both teams battled in the middle of the pitch, but a Versace foray forward saw the initial cross cleared, but only to the edge of the Dons' box. With the ball bouncing awkwardly, the Versace midfielder flailed wildly at it, caught it fortuitously and lofted it into the net.

With the wind at their back in both a literal and a metaphorical sense, Versace pushed forward, looking to extend their lead before half time. Yet the Dons stood firm, and good work from pink(ish)-haired right winger Will saw him set debutant striker Cam free: his first touch expertly took him into the box, he pushed himself wide of the keeper, but couldn't quite find the finish as Versace held on.

Spurred on by their closing window to maximise their time with conditions in their favour, Versace spurred forward, and utilising the long throw of their centre back enjoyed a period of sustained set-piece pressure.

The Dons stood firm under pressure, though one initial clear saw a scramble followed by a poke towards goal that required an outstanding covering save from Dons' keeper Hugo. Ultimately, however, the pressure yielded a result, with a Versace player tripped in the box: the referee pointed to the spot with no hesitation.

The same lack of hesitation could not be said to be seen from the Versace penalty taker, as he stuttered his run-up but was out-psyched by Hugo, who stood tall and easily held the ball.

That save, coming soon before half time, meant the Dons came out 2nd half not only with the wind at their backs but also in their sails. From the off they pressed, moving into a back 4 that helped free wide men Eric and Will to press higher. From one resultant press, centre forward Ewan collected in the centre; slipping a couple of tackles, he unleashed a shot goalwards that the opposition keeper could not hold and could not regather before Cam had pounced to tuck the ball away.

The scores even, the Dons pressed further forward and nearly took the lead as the keeper took a short kick, Cam robbed the recipient defender, but wasn't quite able to slot in from a tight angle.

That second goal would not be long in the waiting, however. Ewan pressed the opposition keeper: harried and panicked, he made little distance with his rushed clearance, Cam robbed the defender and from 25 yards insouciantly lobbed the stranded keeper.

With the advantage to Aberdeen, Versace poured forward in search of an equaliser, but the Dons defence stood firm. Centre backs Kieran and Joe dealt with everything coming their way, with the latter executing a superb sliding block on the one occasion the opposition got in behind the Dons' defence. Right back Eamon produced some superb blocks, and his partnership with right midfielder Will remained a threatening outball for the Dons, whilst on the left wing Eric and, subsequently, Aberdeen manager Maverick continued to harass the opposition, turn over ball and create chances.

It was from one of these chances towards the end of the game, with Eric turning the ball over near half way and driving forward with George in support, that the Dons won a corner. Brad's delivery to the front post was moved looped towards goal by Ewan, past the despairing grasp of the opposition keeper.

At 3-1, with little time left, Versace tried for a consolation, but the league leaders couldn't find a response. Maybe, after all, the rhyme was about dynastic succession....

Motm- Joe
Goals- 2x Cam, 1x Ewan

Aberdeen FC 1 - Recreativo Hackney 1

On many occasions, a tie is an acceptable outcome (Iran-Iraq war springs to mind). A tie representing equilibrium and balance of course at least leaves us in a good place from the perspective of Dualism. And it really boils my p**s when people don't recognise the importance of equal balance when removing eggs from the carton (for the remainder: in a box of 6, you take the middle two first, then when you take two more, you relocate the remaining eggs to the middle. If you have only 3 eggs left, one in the middle on opposite side to the two wide ones. It's not fu***ng hard).

Still, despite the many good things to be said about ties and balanced outcomes, the Dons might feel entitled to feel mildly disappointed with a draw, albeit one against a high-flying Recreativo side that had scored 11 goals in their previous game.

Wary of the opposition goal threat, the Dons started the game with intensity, with the central midfield trio of Henry, Brad and Alfie quickly firing into their opposite numbers and preventing them from establishing a rhythm. Starting wide men Liam and James similarly kept the pressure high, whilst starting forwards Jack and Karim afforded the opposition defence little to no time on the ball.

Consequently, the Dons' defence of Paul, Iain and Callum found themselves largely dealing with long balls, albeit targeted ones and not aimless hoofs. Yet the Dons' positioning and tight shape afforded the opposition little space and scant opportunities, with Dons' keeper Hugo alert and coming rapidly off his line to deal with any balls that did make their way through.

In possession, the Dons remained calm, looking to play short passes quickly after turning over possession. It was from once such turnover that the opening goal came, as Alfie drove the play forward, picking out Jack with his back to goal 30 yards out. Jack played the pass around the corner of the defender and into the path of the onrushing Karim. Karim calmly picked out the incoming run of Liam, leaving him free to stroke the ball past the keeper.

Reacting to losing a goal, Recreativo flew into challenges to try and turn the tide in their favour, picking up the first booking shortly after (with the match's 2nd booking quick to follow, as Jack was cautioned for asking (literally and figuratively) for a card). But the Dons stood firm, with manager Maverick throwing on JB and Simon into the centre mid and Jay to the right mid to keep legs fresh and energy high. Karim was proving a nightmare for the Recreativo defence with his dribbling, and a 2nd nearly followed for the Dons after another run.

Yet the game went into half time at 1-0, finely balanced and delicacy poised. Both teams flew out the traps in the 2nd half, and crunching tackles remained de rigeur. Bookings began to accumulate, but chances remained fleeting until a hopeful Recreativo long ball landed kindly on their left wing. Little came of the initial square ball, but the ball remained stubbornly attached to it's short-term home in the Dons' box, eventually falling for the Recreativo striker to swivel and plant the ball in the far corner.

With the scores level at 1-1, Dons' manager Maverick sought to intimidate the opposition and threw on the returning Eamon for a 2nd debut.

Appropriately rattled, Recreativo quickly found themselves down to 10 men as their defender picked up a 2nd booking for blocking a free kick.

With the man advantage, the Dons pushed on. Yet the opposition sat tight, and remained a danger themselves going forward. Half chances came and went, but none were clear cut and both keepers remained commanding. Both teams remained committed, and James went into the book.

But whilst more names were to go into the book, all were for cards and none for goals as the game closed out at a 1-1 draw.

Goal: Liam
Motm: Karim
Dotd- Jack (for his booking)
Match report - Callum

Well done to all who attended last’s nights AGM.

Awards were given for those who got to the final in the recent tournament at Chiswick.

James received the most committed trophy for his attitude, attendance and continuing improvement as a player.

Medals for those who played last season.

Notes of the AGM will follow.
Thanks again and here's to the new season!

Maverick!
COYREDZZZ

About last night’s AGM

ABERDEEN 5 - Bristol City 4
(Pre-season friendly)

Back in 1982, as Urqs celebrated his 7th birthday, across the Atlantic a wholesome, clean- living young chap by the name of Nikki Sixx wrote a song for his newly formed band Motley Crue. Unfortunately for his liver, as he ventured forth to seek a celebratory apple juice, he encountered one Adam "Maverick" Reid (no known relation to Chopper), and said apple juice evolved into something rather more robust.

Consequently, his song "Goals, Goals, Goals" was refashioned into "Girls, Girls, Girls", but his Maverick mentor never forgot the injunction of the former song (originally written for corporate retreats).

Consequently, as the Aberdeen Rob Roy Reds lined up for their first preseason game of the 2024/25 season, the emphasis was on attack.

Clearly there is a space for corporate jargon in football, as what lined up as a bare 11 on a pitch with goals in different postcodes defied the sun, distance, time, and (almost incidentally) the opposition's best efforts to race into a 3-0 first half lead.

With blistering sun beating down, both teams nonetheless looked to start the match and their season swiftly. One succeeded more than the other, as the Dons forward line of Urqs and Maverick (combined age of 93) brought their teammates (to say "younger teammates" seems tautological here) into the game deep in the Bristol half. Pressure told, and c. 20mins into the game the Dons won a free kick in a promising position.

Centre mid, and todays Captain Brad stepped up, to the deep consternation of the Bristol wall. Nonetheless, the wall stood firm- but the ball deflected down to a waiting Alfie, advanced from his left back position.

Mindful of the need to build fitness and flexibility, Alfie turned the increasingly desperate Bristol defender inside and out, advancing towards the byline before delicately picking out Dons' centre back Henry to head past the Bristol keeper.

With their tails up, the Dons pushed forward again, and it wasn't long before centre mid Felix saw a gap and expertly picked out the arcing run of left mid Liam, who raced in behind the Bristol defence and slotted past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Bristol seemed shell shocked, but worse was to come almost instantly as Felix and Liam brought the band back together for a goal which differed only from the 2nd in Liam's decision to round the keeper before scoring.

Bristol, however, rolled the dice and rolled their bench. The introduction of new players changed the timbre of their game, and suddenly they started to pose a threat. Centre backs Kieran and Henry and full backs Alfie and Louis expertly managed their shape and restricted the Bristol attack to hopeful Hollywood balls, but from one such ball Bristol won a corner. The expertly swung in ball evaded the massive of players at the front of the box, and the well-timed run of the forward to the back post saw him represented with an easy head home.

With half-time looming and the Dons 3-1 up, the match nevertheless seemed in a good place. But circumstances deteriorated suddenly, as a ricocheting ball in midfield dropped kindly for the Bristol winger. Racing forward, he pulled back and the waiting midfielder slotted expertly into the far top corner.

Half time arrived, with the score at 3-2 but the presence of a Bristol bench looking ominous in punishing conditions.

Yet the 2nd half started in a pattern following that of the first, with the Dons fashioning chances and looking dangerous. Wingers James and Liam were keeping the Bristol full backs on their toes and winning turnover balls, whilst Urqs and Maverick linked up play and brought the passing games of Brad and Felix into the Don's offence to complement their own.

But Bristol showed the benefit of substitutes in blistering heat, and broke forward on a rapid counterattack. Men committed to the flank, drawing in the defence for necessary cover, before finding a free man at the back post who finished past stand-in keeper Callum.

Having hauled back a 3 goal deficit, Bristol's spirits were up, and they nearly made it 4-3 soon after as they broke through, but in Buzz Lightyear “To Infinity and beyond” fashion, Callum managed to jump and push the shot around the post.

Having expended immense energy, the depleted Dons might have reasonably been expected to have sagged at this stage. But utilising the well-known ability of Aberdonians to extract energy, somehow they rallied. Chances came, but kept coming frustratingly far from completion. Brad set up Liam, only for shot to skim the outside of the far post. James set up Felix, but the Bristol keeper got down well.

Yet, when it seemed the game might play out to a draw, all of a sudden a glut of goals arrived. With the moving swiftly between Dons players in a series of one-twos through defence and midfield, manager Maverick spun and played in Liam, who calmly advanced on the opposition goal and applied the finishing touch.

The Dons could've been forgiven for sitting back at this stage, but within a matter of minutes found themselves 5-3 up: Louis won a throw-in, James kept the ball alive, the ball came back to Kieran who fed Maverick to again put through Liam to apply the coup de grace.

Bristol pushed forward, in desperate hope of a draw or, at least, some consolation. The former proved not to be in the offing as the Dons defence stood firm, but the latter did materialise to provide some ephemeral joy for Bristol, as their striker reacted fastest to poke the ball home with the last kick of the day.

Goals - Henry, Liam x4
Motm - Liam
Match report - Callum

If you want to play for the Dandies, please reach out to Player/Manager Maverick on:
07791730588
COYR