Aberdeen 3 - 1 Hibernian

Aberdeen Under 18’s very positive start to the league campaign continued on Friday afternoon with a brilliant 3-1 win over high flying Hibernian at Cormack Park, in a game where both teams had to contend with extremely challenging windy conditions that were not conducive to playing attractive football.

It was a shame that the top of the table clash was affected by the elements.

After an extended break after a home victory against Motherwell over two weeks ago, Scott Anderson made two changes to his side with goalkeeper Rodrigo Vitols away on International duty and Victor Enem unavailable through injury. Jamie Mercer and Alfie Bavidge were also available. Shot stopper Rueben Smillie and Ellis Clark came into the starting XI, with both making their first starts of the campaign.

From the kick off Clark pinged a diagonal ball towards the penalty spot, where Fraser Mackie was waiting to connect but his effort was high and could only touch the roof of the net.

Pinned in by the wind, Aberdeen struggled a bit to get the ball out their own half after Mackie’s chance went abegging. The conditions were making the Dons passing game difficult, and Smilie was tested when an in swinging Hibs corner held up in the wind but as it swayed around his penalty box the English keeper bravely came out and claimed.

There was cause for concern when Mackie took a heavy head knock after colliding with a Hibs defender as they both competed for the ball. Thankfully after treatment the Dons number nine was able to continue, and Aberdeen didn’t need to call on their already thin on numbers bench quite yet.

Aberdeen then adjusted well to the conditions and started to pose a threat with the midfield getting on top.

And Mackie was rewarded for his earlier bravery on the 38th minute when he gave his side the lead. The centre forward did well to gain possession, closing down a Hibs clearance before charging towards goal, cutting inside and applying a calm finish low and inside the Hibs near post to open the scoring.

Unfortunately, Aberdeen’s lead was short lived and on the 45-minute mark the visitors found themselves level. A free kick from deep was given too much time to be attacked inside the area and Joseph McGrath’s free header came back off the post and past the helpless Smillie to level the contest.

HT. Aberdeen 1-1 Hibernian.

The second 45 was a fruitful half for the Dons, with the howling wind now in their favour they were able to take control of the match right from the kick off.

Despite being in control Aberdeen they failed to exploit some good opportunities, and were forced to wait until the 65th minute to regain the lead. Findlay Marshall found himself in behind, his shot palmed over for a Dons corner which Alfie Stewart delivered perfectly into the box and onto the head of Brendan Hamilton, and his effort eventually found the back of the net after pinballing off a few bodies inside a crowded box. Although there was a big deflection, Brendan was rightly still claiming the goal.

Just five minutes later Aberdeen had more joy off the back of a set play. Fletcher Boyd’s corner swung back towards goal and reverberated off the crossbar, catching out the Hibs defence. The ball was regathered and lifted into the air for Findlay Marshall to head home from close range to put the Dons 3-1 up.

The Edinburgh side then had some good chances of there own as they tried desperately to get back into the game but Reuben Smillie was equal to anything they could throw at him.

A couple of balls forward which held up in the wind allowed Josh Landers and Dean Cleland through on goal, both one on one with the keeper – but they were denied brilliantly by Smillie – once diving low to his right and the second time blocking with his legs. He then produced an unbelievable save from point blank range to deny Landers. And then when the keeper did make a mistake, spilling an awkward swirling high ball, he produced another top class save when he recovered quickly to scoop the ball to safety.  It was a really impressive performance from Smillie throughout the 90 minutes, especially considering the conditions.

Joseph Teasdale was the only man introduced by Scott Anderson, replacing Fraser Mackie at the death.

Next up for the young Dons is a trip to Ayrshire to face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park next Friday, kick off 2pm as they look to continue their excellent league form.