Hibernian 1 - 0 Aberdeen

A single first half goal was enough to condemn Aberdeen Under 18s to defeat on the road against Hibernian on Friday night. Rodrigo Vitols returned in goals for the trip to East Lothian, Jamie Mercer and Victor Enem slotted into the backline in place of Finlay Murray and Timi Fatona, who both took up spaces on the bench. There were also starts for Fletcher Boyd up top and Lewis Carrol who joined Mercer in the centre of defence alongside Kai Watson, both 2008 born. Boyd looked busy throughout the opening 45. He saw a shot sail over the bar with the first half chance of the game, the skipper Dylan Lobban had the same idea soon after, his effort comfortably caught. Up the other end Vitols produced a great save to deny the always lively Ethan Laidlaw, stretching out to turn the ball round the past and behind for a corner. Unfortunately for Aberdeen the hosts soon opened the scoring. On the 20-minute mark Lobban was dispossessed inside the box by Laidlaw, who squared to Rueben MacAllister, making no mistake in putting the ball beyond Vitols. Before the half was out Boyd continued to test his shooting, but he was still unable to really challenge the keeper. Adam Emslie forced the best save yet out of Freddie Owens after he jinked inside the box and tried his luck at the near post, but the Hibs goalie was equal to it. Hibernian passed up a great chance to double their advantage near the end of the half, the ball floated invitingly into the heart of the Dons defence but there were no takers. Half-Time: Hibernian 1 Aberdeen 0. Despite their best efforts the Young Dons were unable to find the goal that would have earned them a point. Enem cut down the line with 30 minutes left on the clock and squared across the six-yard box to the patiently waiting Emslie but to his dismay the forward could only manage to push the ball past the post with the goal gaping. It was a great chance to draw level. Despite a fair bit of Dons possession in the final third Aberdeen didn?t manage to test Owens enough. Boyd and Enem both had shots rise over the bar as the search for a goal continued. With just over 15 minutes left to play Fraser Mackie was introduced in place of Emslie, the number nine coming on for just his second appearance at Under-18 level after making his debut earlier in the week at Motherwell. As tempers began to reach boiling point from both sides Mackie volleyed into the hands of Owens after latching onto a great cross from Hamilton. There were no more clear-cut chances for Aberdeen and Hibernian were able to hold the ball in the corner for the closing period and see out the victory. Defeat on the road for the Under 18s in their penultimate league game of a rollercoaster season, but another valuable run out for a host of new faces to Scott Anderson?s squad as they look to kick on next season. Dundee United visit Cormack Park next Friday for the final match of the season, kick off 2PM.