Aberdeen 1 - 2 Hibernian

Aberdeen Under 18’s first home league fixture of their 2024/2025 campaign ended in defeat at Cormack Park on Friday afternoon after a goal a-piece in both half’s resigned them to defeat against Hibernian.

Joseph Teasdale gave his side some brief hope after netting with eight minutes to go to reduce the deficit, but it was too litte too late from the young Dons were unable to build on victory in their opening game against Queens Park.

Report

There was one change to the team that came from behind in dramatic circumstances to snatch a late win at Queens Park last time out. Fletcher Boyd returned to the Under 18-fold, he replaced Oliver Green who took a spot on the bench alongside Tristan Stephen, scorer of the last-minute winner at Lochinch seven days ago.

It was Hibs that started the half strongly and would ultimately finish the half on top. Landers was the first to go close, he could only drag his shot wide of the goal.

Up the other end Dylan Ross and Zak To co-ordinated a clever corner kick routine that caused some problems for Mallon in the visitors goal, the keeper eventually able to gather.

A dangerous looking free kick for Hibs was turned behind at the back post for another corner, again Landers header wide.

Boyd was beginning to strut his stuff in the final third, his neat give and go with Ross earned the Dons midfielder a shooting opportunity which was spilled by Mallon to the feet of Fraser Mackie who did put the ball in the back of the net, only to be thwarted by the linesman’s flag.

Boyd almost caught Mallon off guard with an optimistic half volley from long range, the keeper at full stretch to deny what would have been a wonderful goal.

Just after the half hour mark Hibs took the lead. McDonald finished well at the back post after getting on the receiving end of McMurdo’s cross, the winger allowed an acre of space after Ross’s unfortunate slip allowed him plenty of time.

Aberdeen were pretty limited in terms of clear-cut chances as the half petered out, and it was Hibs who looked most likely to find another goal. Davidson cleverly won a free kick right on the edge of the penalty box, McDonalds subsequent effort done well to get up and down, thankfully just wide of the intended target.

Half-time. Aberdeen 0-1 Hibernian.

After starting the half strongly and setting up a few half chances of their own, it was Hibernian who grabbed a goal early in the second half to Strengthen their lead at Cormack Park. A quick break up field allowed Davidson to power an effort past Vitols and leave the young Dons with it all to do.

For long portions of the second half the Aberdeen attacking play followed a similar rhythm of joy down the flanks, with Teasdale and Ross in particular looking sharp, but ultimately lacking in the final third as they searched for a goal. Both had chances of their own, both over the bar.

Davidson and McDonald continued to look a real threat for the visitors, and it could very easily have been three nil Hibs if it wasn’t for a strong save from Vitols to prevent the outcome of the game going beyond doubt.

With twenty minutes to go Scott Anderson made his only change of the game, Oliver Green replaced Jack Searle.

Fletcher Boyd done well to fashion a shooting opportunity in the middle of a crowded penalty box and was unlucky to see his effort fall the wrong side of the post with the Hibs ‘keeper rooted.

With the game threatening to end without any real drama Teasdale hauled his side back into the mix with eight minutes to go after getting on the receiving end of an excellent cross to power a downwards header past Mallon. 1-2.

Aberdeen threw the kitchen sink at the closing stages and were unfortunate not to find more success through a string of corners that tested the Hibs backline but were ultimately dealt with. The visitors to their credit were resolute enough to withstand a barrage of Dons pressure that meant this time there was to be no dramatic comeback and make it one win and one loss from two for the Under 18’s to begin their title defence.

Next up for the young Dons is the visit of St Mirren to Cormack Park on the 9th of August.