Ross County 1 - 5 Aberdeen

There were two enforced changes for Barry Robson's side due to international involvement, with Brendan Hamilton dropping out, alongside the high-flying Alfie Bavidge who had spent the week away with the Scotland Under 17s.

The young Dons started the game well, winning successive corners in a row, with the majority being the product of good work from Adam Emslie.

County responded with a handful of half chances of their own, George Robeston touched a cross narrowly past Blessing Olunyemi's post.

Kai Watson took a heavy knock after fifteen minutes of play, and after treatment he was forced to make way, with Finlay Murray coming on in his place. Aberdeen dominated the ball from the restart, captain Dylan Lobban drove down the line and flashed a great ball across goal, Emslie was unlucky not to connect.

Cammy Wilson grew into the game, drawing two fouls in great positions in quick succession, the second being in a dangerous central position just outside the box, but to the relief of Ross County keeper Ethan Rae it was blasted over the bar.

After 36 minutes Aberdeen finally got their noses in front through Liam Harvey, who was first to react inside the box to latch onto a cross from Findlay Marshall, turn and fire high into the net.

There was another goal left in the half however, and this time it came for the hosts, with Robeston running through and shooting across Olunyemi for the equaliser.

Half-Time: Ross County 1-1 Aberdeen

Barry Robson elected to make one change at the interval, with Lewis Pirie replacing Milosz Ochmanski.

Liam Harvey thought he had the Dons ahead soon after the restart, prodding home a rebound after some lovely footwork from Alfie Stewart allowed him to dance through the Staggies defence and get a shot off, but the flag was up, and the centre forwards protests were waved away. Harvey eventually did get his second of the match soon after however, capitalising on a flapped at cross from Emslie to tap home. For the second time in the afternoon, Aberdeen were in the lead.

The goals soon began to start flowing for the visitors, when on the hour the captain Lobban got on the scoresheet with a sumptuous curling effort from outside the box that sailed into the top right corner. 3-1 to Aberdeen.

Seven minutes later Lobban's midfield partner Findlay Marshall got in on the act, his shot took a deflection on its travels which was enough to beat the keeper.

With the victory and progression to the next round of the cup looking wrapped up, Cammy Wilson came off and Jamie Mercer entered the fray for the last twenty minutes.

Marshall came extremely close to doubling his goal tally for the day with a header from close range, but Ethan Rae produced his best save of the day to deny the Dons midfielder.

The closing fifteen minutes became about whether Liam Harvey would be able to claim the hat-trick he was after. Emslie played him through on the counterattack and after leaving the only Ross County defender that managed to keep up with the speed of the attack for dead, he saw his shot come crashing off the post. A few minutes later, a header from close range was put over the bar.

Just as the 90^th minute arrived Harvey finally got what he deserved, racing onto an Alfie Stewart through ball and stroking the ball under the keeper for his hat-trick.

After a first half which was slow and stodgy at times the young Dons went up a gear or two in the second 45 and turned on the style, eventually running out as comfortable winners and sealing their place in the next round of the Youth Cup.