Testimonial game honours Formartine United defender Stuart Smith
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Formartine United stalwart Stuart Smith was honoured with a testimonial match on Thursday evening.
The game was the first in a number events to mark his 11 years with the club.
The defender had a spell as a youngster at Aberdeen, who is a big fan of, and also played for Peterhead.
It was a young Dons side that was welcomed to North Lodge Park as the opponents for the match.
Before it started Smith, who was accompanied by his daughter Molly, was welcomed to the pitch with a guard of honour and a presentation was made.
It was Formartine who had the first chance of the game when Tyler Mykyta fired in a long range shot which was straight at Aberdeen goalkeeper Tom Ritchie.
The Dons had an opportunity to open the scoring when Alfie Bavidge tried to lob Formartine custodian Ewen Macdonald but the ball landed on the roof of the net.
The visitors then got their goal when Kevin Hanratty made a good run into the box, beat some defenders and shot past Macdonald.
United got an equaliser soon after though when a throw-in from Matthew McLean found Jonathan Crawford in the box and he headed it into the net.
However, Aberdeen did not take long to get back in the lead when a ball was crossed into the box to Bavidge who got a head to it and put his side back in front.
They increased their lead through Liam Harvey who easily dispatched his effort past Macdonald for Aberdeen's third.
United pulled one back just before half-time when the ball dropped to Graeme Rodger and he smashed it into the net.
After the break Daniel Park was in a good position in the box and got a shot away which was blocked. There were shouts for handball but a penalty was not given by referee Duncan Nicolson.
During the second half Smith, who was club captain for the evening, was subbed off and received a great applause from all at the ground.
United got another equaliser when Scott Lisle was played in and he made no mistake with his effort.
And it was Lisle that won the game for Formartine when his initial shot was saved by Ritchie but the rebound came back to him and he got the ball home for the 4-3 victory.
Smith said of the occasion: "It was good evening and a great run out for us.
"It was a young Aberdeen team but they were very good.
"The final result was 4-3 and it was an exciting game, so I hope everybody that came along enjoyed it.
"For the first event of my testimonial season it went really well and I would like to say thank you to the club for honouring my time here.
"I started my career at Aberdeen, so this game is full circle and I am a big Aberdeen fan. It was great to have them come.
"I am grateful to them for sending out a team, it was really appreciated.
"I have loved my time at Formartine. Football has plenty of ups and downs, that's the same for any player, but in general I've really enjoyed my time here and I hopefully I have a couple more years left in me yet.
"I am looking forward to the new Highland League season. Things have changed under the new manager and there is a lot of enthusiasm about the place.
"There is a lot of new players as well and the boys are settling in well, so there is a lot to look forward to."
