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By Will Jago, at Withdean |
Final Score: Albion 1 Aberdeen 0
Full Time: Elliott Bennett's first-half strike proved enough to give Albion a convincing 1-0 win in their final pre-season friendly against Aberdeen.
90: Aberdeen have a rare strike on goal. The ball landed to Michael Paton on the edge of the Albion area, who volleyed the ball first time but his effort ricocheted off the outside of Mitch Walker's right post.
85: Glenn Murray creates an opening for Chris Holroyd, but Aberdeen keeper Mark Howard is quick off his line block any danger.
79: A great ball by Andrew Whing on the right, after some patient build-up play, almost presents an early goal for Glenn Murray, but the Albion striker stabbed just wide.
75: Jamie Smith is played in on goal by Gary Dicker. Smith struck the ball first time and beat Mark Howard only to see his effort bounce back off the post.
68: More creative build-up play by the Albion midfield leads to a inviting cross by Matt Sparrow. Gordon Greer made contact with a header but couldn't direct the header goal-wards.
65: Clinical one-touch build-up play between Elliott Bennett and Radostin Kishishev opened up a shooting opportunity for Bennett from distance, but the Albion winger fizzed his shot wide of Mark Howard's goal.
62: Jamie Smith is causing trouble for the Aberdeen defence. The 20-year-old picked up the ball on the left, cut inside and unleashed a fierce shot which almost proved too strong for Mark Howard. The Aberdeen keeper managed to beat the ball away to safety.
52: Matt Sparrow comes close with a tremendous effort from the edge of the area. Elliott Bennett's free-kick was headed clear, falling to Sparrow who volleyed the ball left-footed heading straight for the top corner, but Aberdeen keeper Mark Howard manager to palm the ball to safety.
45: Half-time - Albion go into the half-time interval with a deserved one goal advantage through Elliott Bennett's 38th minute goal. Albion had the better of the play and came close on occasions, while Michael Poke had little to do in the Albion goal.
38: GOAL! Albion's pressure eventually pays off as Elliott Bennett opens the scoring. Matt Sparrow controls the ball in the Aberdeen area, and lays it back to Bennett on the edge. The Albion winger takes one touch and curls the ball into the top left corner.
37: Radostin Kishishev comes close to opening the scoring. A patient build-up by Albion leads to an opening for the Bulgarian, but his 20-yard shot brushes the side netting at the near post.
34: Elliott Bennett's cross looked to be handled by Grant Basey in the Aberdeen box, but Dave Philips again turns down the penalty appeal.
26: Inigo Calderon is judged to have fouled Chris Maguire on the edge of the Albion box. Aberdeen skipper Paul Hartley steps up to take the free-kick, but his effort curls wide of Michael Poke's goal.
21: Jamie Smith slides the ball trough to Ashley Barnes who looked to have his heels clipped by Jerel Ifil, but referee Dave Philips waves play on.
17: Matt Sparrow tries his luck from 20 yards out, but his shot is deflected wide for a corner.
14: First chance of the game falls to Gordon Greer, Elliott Bennett whips in a corner from the left but Greer heads just over.
08: Albion have made the brighter start, although there has been little action in front of either goal during the opening minutes.
00: Gus Poyet names Jamie Smith in Albion's midfield for their final pre-season friendly against Aberdeen. Former Albion manager Mark McGhee is welcomed with a great reception by the fans in the Withdean south stand.
Team
Albion: (4-5-1) Poke (Walker 78); Calderon (Whing 78), Elphick, Greer, Painter; Bennett (Baz 78), Kishishev (Dicker 58), Navarro (Battipiedi 78), Sparrow, Jamie Smith (Holroyd 78); Barnes (Murray 78).
Referee: Dave Philips
