Hamilton 1 - 5 Aberdeen

A very impressive attacking performance from Aberdeen Under 18’s on Friday night ensured they won big against a strong Hamilton Academical side.

A hat-trick from Fletcher Boyd was aided by a double from Fraser Mackie on a night where the young Dons looked like scoring with every attack. Cammy Wilson also pitched in with an outstanding performance and four assists.

There were two changes to the side that fell to defeat against Kilmarnock at Cormack Park last Friday. Rodrigo Vitols returned from suspension in-between the sticks, replacing Reuben Smillie. On loan Peterhead midfielder Alfie Stewart, suspended for the Blue Toons League Two match against Elgin tomorrow after a midweek red card, returned to the heart of the Under 18s midfield – he replaced Joseph Teasdale.

There was a place for Christovie Kondolo on the substitutes bench, marking his return from a lengthy injury enforced absence from the match-day squad.

Aberdeen opened the scoring after just four minutes through a great goal courtesy of Boyd. Cammy Wilson cut inside and drove towards goal before feeding Boyd with a well timed through ball for the Dons number ten to get on the end of and place a powerful effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

It was soon 2-0 Aberdeen, Boyd again the scorer.

Dylan Ross and Wilson combined down the left flank to set up Ellis Clark whose late run into the box caused problems for the Accies defence, the midfielder’s effort was saved but could only wind up at the feet of Boyd to stab home from inside the box and consolidate the early Aberdeen lead.

The young Dons continued to look strong going forward throughout the opening 45, Wilson had a curling effort from a difficult angle tipped behind which resulted in a series of Aberdeen corners, ultimately coming to nothing.

A rare attack for Accies saw Carroll squander a half chance in the air when he got on the end of Gwamba-lo Kalala’s cross, the forward unable to test Vitols who largely had a quiet 45 minutes.

Cammy Wilson could have put his side three nil to the good after Fraser Mackie done extremely well to get the better of Accies centre half Reilly and slotted Wilson through on goal, who was able to take the ball around the keeper but slipped on the wet surface and pushed his shot wide.

As the torrential downpour continued Wilson made amends though a few minutes later when the roles were reversed and the forward unleashed Mackie with a perfectly weighted pass after a quick team move got Aberdeen up the pitch, allowing the Dons number 9 to take the ball in his stride and roll the ball beyond Murray to make it 3-0 Aberdeen.

Before the half was out there was time for one more goal, this time going the way of the hosts through Carroll who fired past Vitols from inside the box.

HT Hamilton Academical 1 Aberdeen 3

The next goal would always be crucial in determining the outcome of the match and Hamilton were searching hard for the moment that would bring them right back into things, but the young Dons continued to defend well. Up the other end, Stewart was inches away from finding the back of the net directly from a corner for the second time this season, the skipper denied by the crossbar.

Just before the hour mark Mackie was able to find that all important goal for his side.

The forward showed his strength and refused to be pushed off the ball inside the Accies box and was then able to retain his balance and power an effort across Murray for his second goal of the evening. 4-1 Aberdeen.

Vitols made a strong save with 25 minutes on the clock to play, he was alert and able to tip Carroll’s effort around the post at full stretch. Two Accies corners followed, both dealt with by the Dons.

Boyd was able to grab his hat-trick off the back of a Hamilton defensive mix up. There was nowhere near enough on Eadie’s attempted pass across the defence and Wilson was alert to intercept, work his way forward and unselfishly square to his teammate at the back post to convert and seal his third, his teams fifth and wrap up the three points in Lanarkshire.

Not long after Akindileni passed up a chance with a free header as he rose highest to meet Clark’s corner, but he could only head over the crossbar.

Kondolo was soon introduced from the bench for the last ten minutes as he made his return to action, the English forward replacing Clark.

Teasdale was introduced in the closing stages and could have grabbed himself a goal after Wilson cut an effort back for him, the young forward unable to time his run and the chance went abegging.

There was to be no more chances for the young Dons, a resounding 5-1 victory the result of an extremely successful evenings work for the young Dons in Hamilton.