Hibernian 4 - 2 Aberdeen

A very young Aberdeen Under 18s side lost out to Hibernian at their East Lothian training ground on Friday night in a game which was blighted by horrendous weather conditions.

The young Dons went in level at half time but lost out by four goals to two in the end, Fraser Mackie and Fletcher Boyd on the scoresheet for Aberdeen.

There were two changes to the side that lost out to Rangers last week. With Rodrigo Vitols suspended Ruben Smillie deputised in goal, Boyd returned in the middle of the park, replacing Oliver Green.

In difficult conditions the game lacked chances at either end during the opening 20 minutes. Cammy Wilson had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty dismissed after he went down inside the Hibs box, up the other end Clelland got on the end of a low cross but could only push a close-range effort wide of the goal.

McGarva opened the scoring for the hosts soon after. After a bit of space opened up for the Hibs captain, he was able to drive towards goal and shoot from distance. His shot looked to have taken a bounce on the wet slippy Astro turf surface on its way towards goal, and it was enough to beat Smillie.

The Aberdeen equaliser was practically immediate, coming just two minutes later. Kai Watson was able to cut the ball back for Mackie to smash into the roof of the net with his first touch. 1-1.

After the two quick fire goals, the game settled down and chances returned to being of a rare nature. Smillie produced an impressive reaction save to prevent Hibs retaking the lead, before Boyd teed up Wilson to shoot straight down Mallon’s throat.

Before the half was out Boyd passed up a decent chance after an unforced error from Mallon meant he passed straight to the feet of Aberdeen’s number ten, but the keeper recovered to turn his effort behind for a corner.

Half time Hibernian 1 Aberdeen 1.

As the conditions worsened the game unravelled for the young Dons in the second half as the wind continued to howl and the rain continued to swirl.

Hibs won and converted a penalty on the hour mark, Molotinkov the scorer.

After a few half chances for Aberdeen through both Teasdale and Ross, Hibs added a third goal on the break after they were able to get in behind the Dons defence.

There was brief hope of a late fight back after an extremely well worked team move resulted in a goal for the Dons when Mackie and Clark’s neat one touch passing presented Boyd with an opportunity to pass the ball into an empty Hibs net.

Before the Dons could throw the kitchen sink at their hopes of an equaliser in injury time Hibs broke up the park through Clelland who remained composed to chip the ball over the helpless Smillie and put the game beyond doubt.

It was a decent showing from the very young Dons in extremely difficult conditions but ultimately, they left Edinburgh with no points and a third league defeat on the bounce to contend with.