TEN years of loyal service to Inverurie Loco Works FC was fully repaid on Tuesday (August 5) night as a capacity crowd of 2,301 turned up to appreciate the talents of Craig Ross in his Testimonial Mach against Aberdeen FC.

Ticket sales had been moving along steadily throughout the day as the final third of the briefs was eventually snapped up well before kick off.

On a clammy but dry evening the Dons fielded only four recognised first teamers in the fit again Zander Diamond as well as recent signing Mark Kerr together with Derek Young and Stuart Duff. The huge contingent of Dons fans were not to be disappointed though as some promising players for the future turned up.

Dave Cormie stuck with the same personnel who so competently did the business at Nairn County and after Rossco got his solo welcome to the DJ Otzi take of "Hey Hey Baby" so loudly sung after his 2004 Qualifying Cup hat-trick, he and his team mates had to soak up some early pressure.

Michael Paton, recalled from Brechin City, was showing his pace on the right while Andy Reid had to deal comfortably with an attempt at a delicate chip by Kerr.

It was Michael Paton in 20 minutes opening the scoring despatching low under Reid after Stuart Smith had peeled off his Locos marker and mad the killing pass.

Neil McLean was looking lively but was well wide with an effort as a tackle came in and soon after Mark Smith got the first shot in with decent purchase which young John Bateman dealt with. Locos were now spraying the passes about and well into the pace of the game, looking to get back on level terms.

Peter Pawlett, another promising youngster, hooked over the top when under pressure from Mark Simpson and was then inches away with a header from Paton's cross.

But the home faithful were certainly feeling they could get back to parity and they came oh so close right on the break. Neil Gauld took a pass from the left channel and took no time in striking a piledriver onto the roof of the net.

Young Irish midfielder Sammy Stewart saw a right foot effort cleared off the line as the young Dons pushed to increase their lead but the second half was to be punctuated by the usual round of substitution stoppages with all the Locos fit contingent wanting to get a good run out in their friend's big night.

Simpson looked like equalising in the second period but the final goal was to be an exquisite backheel from Sammy Stewart which left Andy Reid beaten.

The night though belonged to the blonde fella who has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Who knows what would have come of him if his career had followed a different path at Montrose. Their loss has been his home team's gain.

And the huge number of tributes from past coaches, as well as managers and players past and present in the Souvenir Match Programme shows the esteem in which he is held. Ian Gauld, his Testimonial Committee and all those at Locos can sleep well tonight knowing they put on a great show for Craig Ross with AFC as the team he has supported were the perfect choice for opposition.

Inverurie Locos: Reid, Park, Buchan (Murray), Wilson, Simpson (Mess), Smith, Singer (McWilliam), Ross (Padua), Milne, Gauld (Bisset), McLean (Graham).
Aberdeen: Bateman, Ross, S. Smith, Kerr, Diamond, Crawford, Pawlett, Stewart, Young, Paton, Duff. Subs: Clark, McRobbie, Carroll, Gallacher, Megginson, Bolger, Cassidy, Bain.

After the match Locos boss Dave Cormie said: "A good test for our players who'll tell you it's better than traning exercises but hopefully it's not taken its toll because they played it very
competitively so I'm hoping there's no reaction.

"A good healthy crowd and Craig played particularly well himself along with his team mates. We took him off in the dying seconds to get the applause for him, he really looks back to his old self."

Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood said it was "a brilliant night for the lad a great atmosphere for him. He deserves everything he gets, he's been a great servant to his club over ten years.

"It is always good to do something for right good players and there's always a good turnout any time we play here."

Zander Diamond, returning from injury earlier than expected, said: "They competed with us well, they were well organised. Their forwards have very good movement, decent players who take real credit from their performance.

"I feel OK, this was a big test for me, I've passed it and given my manager something to think about. We want to do well this season, finish high in the league so we qualify for Europe again and do well in the cups."