Aberdeen 4 - 1 Heart of Midlothian

Aberdeen Under 18s ensured they got back to winning ways on Friday night at Cormack Park as the young side saw off the challenge of Hearts to make it three wins from four in the league so far this season.

It was an impressive performance from start to finish from Scott Anderson’s team with Fletcher Boyd at the heart of everything going forward.

Fraser Mackie came into the side that lost out to St Mirren down in Paisley last Friday, replacing Alfie Bavidge upfront. Elis Clark was on the bench, his first competitive involvement with the Under 18’s after injury.

From kick off Cammy Wilson looked sharp, Aberdeen’s number seven pickpocketed Alexander Walker on the edge of the box and set up Mackie for his first chance of the game, his effort wide.

Up the other end Szymon Plesiewicz flashed a good ball across the ground and into the heart of the young Dons' box, but it evaded everyone in white and the game remained goalless.

Just after the twenty-minute mark Aberdeen grabbed the opener. Brendan Hamilton sent a searching through ball up the park, which was met by Fletcher Boyd, the attacker took the ball in his stride, galloped into the Heart’s box, and squared for the eagerly waiting Mackie who just had to tap into the empty net to put his side 1-0 up.

Unfortunately for Scott Anderson’s side the old adage that claims you are most vulnerable after scoring rang true and Plesiewicz hauled his side level with a pinpoint finish from distance just minutes after Aberdeen’s opener, curling across the helpless Vitols and into the back of the net. A really good finish.

Aberdeen saw a few half chances go abegging through both Hamilton and Mackie before Lewis Carrol drove out from his own half and was chopped down by Matthew Gillies outside the box. Alfie Stewart stepped up to take on free-kick responsibilities and the skipper showed his quality from dead ball scenarios, lifting the ball over the wall and cannoning the ball off the inside of the crossbar before dropping over the line for 2-1. A even better finish.

The goal came just five minutes before the end of an exciting first half, and the young Dons led at the break.

HT Aberdeen 2-1 Hearts

The second half was a much more subdued affair than its predecessor, but two late goals ensured the three points stayed in the North-east. Boyd continued to look dangerous, he found himself in a good amount of space down the right-hand side and should have looked to cut the ball back, instead the attacker opted for the shot, his attempt well saved.

Hearts were limited to few clear-cut chances of their own, despite a few promising breaks. Taylor Hogarth came off the Hearts bench and looked sharp on the break, but he was unable to properly test Vitols.

Boyd’s in swinging corner asked questions of the visitor’s ability to defend set pieces, his delivery was screaming out for someone in red to connect at the back post, but the chance went abegging.

With just over five minutes to go Boyd got the goal he deserved for his efforts. His strike from the edge of the box was heavily deflected on his way towards goal and enough to beat the opposition keeper.

There was enough time for 3-1 to become 4-1 before the full-time whistle. Mackie finished off a great team move similar to the opener, Hamilton unleashed Boyd down the line who crossed into the box for Mackie to grab his 2nd of the game in injury time and ensure the young Dons got back to winning ways.