Cove Rangers vs Aberdeen

Olusanya, who has joined Aberdeen permanently after last season's loan spell, scored the decisive goal in the first half. The forward, signed from St Mirren initially on loan before making the switch permanent this summer, found the net to give the Dons a lead they would not relinquish.

The match finished 1-0, with the same scoreline at half-time, indicating a tight contest that Aberdeen managed professionally.

Robinson used the fixture to give minutes to his squad, fielding a completely different XI in each half as planned. The head coach had confirmed pre-match that every outfield player would get 45 minutes, with the aim of building fitness ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season.

Olusanya's goal in the opening 45 minutes was the defining moment. With Cove Rangers sitting deep in a shape that Aberdeen would face against defensive sides in cup competitions — as Robinson noted in his pre-match interview — the ability to break through inside the first half set the tone. Once ahead, Aberdeen controlled the tempo without needing to overextend in a match focused on conditioning.

Toyosi Olusanya — Scored the match winner and led the line effectively in the first half. His movement and hold-up play caused problems for the Cove defence.

Alexander Briedl — The Austrian midfielder, one of seven summer additions, started and showed composure in midfield. His link-up play with the forward line was a positive sign.

Brad Lyons — Captained the first-half XI in his first appearance since joining the club. The midfielder provided energy and structure in the centre of the park.

Rodrigo Vitols — The young goalkeeper started the first half and kept a clean sheet, before Nicholas Suman took over after the break.

Saturday offered the first glimpse of Aberdeen's summer recruitment. Tony Yogane — the winger who was the most recent arrival — started on the flank, alongside fellow new arrivals Alexander Briedl, Dan Happe, Lewis Mayo, Toyosi Olusanya and Brad Lyons.

Nicky Devlin took the armband for the second half, leading an entirely different outfield XI as Robinson rotated his entire squad.

This was the first of two scheduled pre-season friendlies before the Premiership campaign begins. Aberdeen travel to the Netherlands next week for a warm-weather training camp, where they face Eredivisie side FC Twente on Saturday 4 July.

For Cove Rangers, managed by former Aberdeen captain Paul Hartley, this represented a useful test against higher-level opposition as they prepare for the upcoming League One season. Hartley recently signed a three-year contract extension at Balmoral Stadium.

The provider data confirms a tight, single-goal contest: Aberdeen scored once in the first half and held the lead through the second period. Both sides used the fixture primarily for fitness, with Robinson having stated he wanted his players to work with "heavy legs" to build condition. The clean sheet will be a welcome bonus for a defence featuring new arrivals Mayo and Happe.

A textbook pre-season friendly: Aberdeen got their win, their new signings got minutes, and no risks were taken with a squad still building towards competitive action. Olusanya's goal was the difference, but the bigger picture is the foundation laid ahead of the Twente friendly and the season proper.