Hamilton Academical 3 - 1 Aberdeen

The Aberdeen U18s were beaten by Hamilton Accies this evening away from home. The open 30 minutes were even as both teams created a couple of decent chances. Archie Mair in the Aberdeen goal produced a few good saves. Just after the half hour mark Niyah Josepth opening the scoring for the home side with a shot from close range. The Dons got back on level terms six minutes late when Lewis Duncan blasted home a superb effort from 25 yards.

Then after an hour the home side regained the lead when substitute Liam Scullion poked home. Aberdeen pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but Accies exploited the gaps at the back when they made the game safe in the final minute. Sean Slaven slotted home after a cutback from Reilly.

U18s coach Scott Anderson spoke to afc.co.uk after the game:

"A little bit frustrating. I felt we were very much in the game in the first half and were probably edging things at the time when they get the first goal. For ten to 15 minutes we had a bit of control of the game, but it is a bad goal to conceded from our point of view as we did not match a run.
"Lewis Duncan scores with an excellent strike to get us back into the game and it is pretty even up to half time. 1-1 was a fair result as Archie has made a couple of good saves and we have missed a couple of chances.
"In the second half I felt we started the better of the two sides and were in control but again we switch off defensively and concede a cheap goal. That then brings Hamilton to life and after that we chased the game but never really looked like getting anything.
"So we need to learn how to come down to venues like this and have real concentration throughout the 90 minutes. Also when we do get into the areas we were getting into, we have to show a bit more quality and a bit more aggression.
"To be to fair Hamilton, who won the league last season, they are a good side and have a good mentality. They are effective at what they do.

"Looking at ourselves, we have to do that bit better. There were positives in the game and spells we did well, but we have to go away and work on the negatives."