Hibernian 4 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen travelled to Edinburgh to meet a Hibernian side who currently top the Development League. Although the Dons lie ninth in the table, Paul Sheerin's side beat the young Hibees in the reverse fixture earlier this season at Balmoor Stadium.
The Dons lined up with Mutch in goal behind a back four of Robertson, MacPherson, Roscoe and Wells. Thomas, Antoniazzi, Norris and Frank Ross were in the middle with McLennan and Wright furthest forward.

Connor McLennan was the first to have a shot at goal but his 18 yard effort was easily saved. Watson tested Mutch two minutes later with a rising shot which the Dons keeper tipped over. McLennan nearly played Frank Ross in but Waugh was across quickly to snuff out the danger. But the midfield man was not to be denied on 12 minutes when he raced into the box and flashed a fine angled shot high into the net. A really top notch goal from Frank. Mutch was again called into action on the quarter hour mark as he dived to his left to parry a fierce shot from Gullan. Hibs made a change on 16 minutes as Galantis replaced Fraser Murray.
Hibs drew level on 22 minutes when Shaw took advantage of a slip in midfield to race through and finish clinically from 12 yards. Watson then missed a gilt edged chance shooting wide from close in after a great run and cross from Gullan. Scott Wright almost gave the Dons the lead on 26 minutes after being played through by Connor McLennan but his chip over the keeper crashed back off the bar and away to safety. O'Connor was booked a minute later for a foul on McLennan but it looked a fairly innocuous challenge.
A fine ball by Chris Antoniazzi sent McLennan racing in on goal but Gallacher reacted brilliantly to touch the ball away from Connor as he tried to go round the keeper. As half time approached the Dons piled on the pressure but there were no more clear cut chances as the Hibs defence stood firm. A really positive first half from the Dons with Frank Ross the star man for the visitors.

Half Time Hibernian 1 Aberdeen 1

Hall came on for Hibs at half time taking over from Watson in a wide right role. Wright was quickly out of the blocks in the second period and his fine right foot shot was well saved by Gallacher. On 53 minutes some great play by Thomas created an opening and only a desperate goal line clearance by O'Connor denied Wright before Gallacher produced a fine save from Roscoe's powerful header after a fine frank Ross corner. The Dons made a switch in 55 minutes, young Dean Campbell taking the place of the very impressive Frank Ross.
Some sloppy play by the Dons proved costly on 57 minutes as Gullan fired Hibs into the lead. A goal right against the run of play. The goal inspired the home side and left back Mackie came close with a long range effort. A quick break in 69 minutes saw Hibs shuttle the ball down the left for Mackie to drive in a fine low cross which the inrushing Olly Shaw converted at the far post to make it 3-1 to the league leaders. Shaw's strong running was a constant threat to Aberdeen, something which veteran Grant Holt would appreciate, the former Norwich hitman currently assisting coach Grant Murray with the Easter Road youngsters.
David Dangana replaced Antoniazzi was the Dons tried to get back into the game. Breen became the second Hibs man to be booked on 78 minutes. Strong play by Shaw again on 83 minutes created an opening for Gullan who slotted home a fine shot to make it 4-1 for Hibs. A great run from Robertson saw him slip the ball to Dangana but the sub's shot was just wide of the keeper's right hand post.
Two more Hibs players found their way into the ref's book, Innes Murray and Donaldson being yellow carded before the end. Ultimately a disappointing evening for Paul Sheerin's side, the difference being that Hibs were red hot in front of goal while the Dons converted only one of the chances they created.