Inverness CT 0 - 3 Aberdeen

Billy Dodds gave three good reasons why he believes he will be a key player at Aberdeen this season. The nippy Pittodrie striker has been linked with the move to Premier League rivals Dundee United with Robbie Winters going the other way. But Dodds proved against the battling Second Division side he still has a lot to offer. He rattled in a hat-trick, including a strike after just 17 seconds to ease Aberdeen into the third round of the Scottish League cup.

That goal was one of the quickest in Scottish football history and the home side never recovered, although at times they played some nice football. Dodds took the match ball for his efforts but the outstanding competitor of the day was Craig Hignett. The former Middlesbrough star was down by the riverside again at this neat stadium on the banks of the Moray Firth. Hignett looked right at home and his direct running and team play was hugely impressive. Inverness just couldn't handle him but the club have made huge strides in the past couple of years and on this evidence will trouble many other clubs this season.

Former Aberdeen star Duncan Shearer faced his old club in the second round. He was hoping to lead Inverness to a famous victory but the 5,000 fans were still taking their seats when Dodds made the breakthrough. Russell Anderson made a good break down the right and 18 year old striker Derek Young touched the ball on. Dodds came racing in and keeper Jim Calder got a touch but was unable to stop the ball going into the net. Inverness almost grabbed an equaliser after 15 minutes when Scott McLean headed just over after Shearer had knocked back a good free-kick from Barry Wilson.

Inverness again pressed hard and Anderson got a good block on Shearer after Wilson had put the ball through. But the home side fell apart in the second half with Aberdeen scoring twice in the space of just four minutes. Hignett and Ilian Kiriakov linked up and Dodds steered the ball home through Calder's legs after 66 minutes. Dodds completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute after Calder had parried a shot from the industrious Kiriakov.

Inverness were denied a consolation goal when Scotland keeper Jim Leighton made a superb save from Scott McLean's powerful header.
Aberdeen now go into the third round draw on Monday morning, no doubt full of confidence after this comprehensive victory.