Aberdeen 4 - 1 Hamilton

Aberdeen Under 18’s returned to CAS League action on Friday afternoon at a rain-soaked Cormack Park, where they defeated last season’s league winners Hamilton Academical by four goals to one.

A hat-trick from number nine Fraser Mackie and a great goal from Cammy Wilson was enough to send the young Dons on their way to victory in what could have been a difficult fixture for Scott Anderson’s side.

With Brendan Hamilton unavailable, Timothy Akindileni came into the Dons defence for the clash, with Findlay Marshall returning to the starting XI in place of Joseph Teasdale the only changes made to the Under 18’s team that defeated Caledonian Braves in the cup three weeks ago.

Ben Black was the first player on the park to test either keeper, his freekick from outside the area was palmed away to safety by Vitols. A mix up at the back minutes later allowed the forward another shot at goal, but again his effort was tame and unable to beat the Aberdeen keeper.

The young Dons began to grow into the game as storm Ciaran continued to batter Cormack Park, Ellis Clark flashed a dangerous ball into the Hamilton box which could only be punched away by Josh Lane. Fletcher Boyd was next up; his shot was straight down the throat of the keeper.

Kai Watson skimmed the bar on the half volley after a wide free kick was swung into the box, the ball eventually finding itself at the feet of the Dons centre half after a few half chances.

The freekick was won after some great play by Wilson out wide got him hauled down, the winger getting the better of Arran Preston.

After 23 minutes Aberdeen got the opener. On the counterattack the young Dons drove forward, spearheaded by Mackie who ended up being left one on one with Lane, before cooly finishing to give Aberdeen the lead.

Following the goal the game was marred by stoppages, with Aberdeen players on the receiving end of some strong challenges. A collision between Lane and Mackie on the edge of the area saw the Accies keeper booked, thankfully the Dons forward was able to continue. Unlike some of his efforts earlier in the league campaign, Alfie Stewart could only send his effort with the freekick over the crossbar.
Christovie Kondolo was forced to hobble off after 36 minutes, Cooper Masson entered the fray in his place.

With the half drawing to a close Wilson doubled Aberdeen’s advantage with a goal out the blue, the ball wound up at the wingers’ feet inside the box and he showed composure to shoot across the keeper and into the back of the net at a difficult angle.

Before the half was out Alfie Stewart received a nasty cut to his head, but he hobbled off for treatment and the skipper was able to get bandaged up during the interval and resume his duties in the middle of the park.

Half time Aberdeen 2 Hamilton Accies 0.

Just minutes after the restart the visitors reduced the deficit through a well-placed finish from Sisanda Maguranyanga which got the better of Vitols. Accies nearly went one better and found an equaliser just one minute later, again through Maguranyanga, but this time his shot landed up going over the bar.

Aberdeen’s two goal lead was soon restored with Mackie grabbing his second of the game with a similar goal to his first: With a Hamilton defender slipping on the halfway line Mackie was allowed to race through, running nearly the length of the half with no one around him before applying another calm finish. 3-1.

The young Dons refused to take their foot off the gas however and on another day could have run up an even bigger scoreline. Mackie, Wilson and Findlay Marshall all passed up on chances, Clark continued to look a threat down the flank, his low ball was on the money and pushed into the Hamilton danger zone before eventually getting cleared for a corner kick.

Mackie did get his hat-trick in the end, with five minutes left on the clock Clark bombed down the wing and sent a perfect cross into the box which allowed Mackie to volley home from inside the six-yard box to put the icing on the cake for both him and his team.

The young forward was replaced in injury time by Joseph Teasdale, with Mackie coming off to be greeted by a warm reception from both Scott Anderson and Stuart Duff.