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matches

Aberdeen 1 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

HT Score: Aberdeen 1 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

SPL Under 21
Aberdeen scorers: Mike 10.

18/02/2002 | KO: 19:00

Mike breaks Hearts

Aberdeen under 21's returned to action tonight after the long winter break. A Leon Mike goal after 10 minutes was enough to secure the three points for the Dons. The visitors showed plenty of appetite going forward, but the Dons defence and Ryan Esson in particular were in inspired form. It was also pleasing to see Russell Anderson have a comfortable 90 minutes as he looks to return to first team action

Aberdeen started the match with new signing Leon Mike playing up front and they also welcomed back Russell Anderson from injury. With first team regulars Solberg, Clark and Tiernan also in the starting line up, the team had a wealth of experience in its ranks. The visitors enjoyed the best of the opening spell without ever threatening Esson's goal with the Dons themselves limited to a couple of long-range efforts from Belabed. That all changed in the 10th minute when Mike gave the Dons the lead. He collected a pass on the left of the box and goalkeeper Gordon did well to block his first attempt, but there was little the keeper could do to stop his follow up strike.

Michie had a golden opportunity to extend the Dons lead in the17th minute when Clark found him with a deep cross. Instead of having a shot at goal, the young striker headed the ball back towards the eighteen-yard line where Tiernan was left with a difficult shot, which the keeper collected easily. Hearts continued to enjoy a lot of possession, but they were unable to carve out clear-cut chances. At the other end Mike and Michie were combining well only to be denied, by some tight offside decisions. Hearts went close in the 41st minute when Davidson steered a shot on target, but Esson held the effort comfortably.

Esson had to look lively in the 46th minute as he came off his line to smother the ball as Weir threatened. The Dons replied three minutes later with a neat move started with a back heel by Mike into the path of Belabed. He fed the ball wide left to Clark and the youngster cut inside before unleashing a shot which was well held by Gordon. The Dons went close again in the 58th minute when O'Donoghue fired in a fierce drive following good build up play from Clark and Tiernan. The Dons were having a good spell and Belabed, Hedderman and Clark all had chances to extend the lead.

Hearts should have drawn level in the 65th minute when, following a corner, the ball broke to Davidson in the six yard box, but Esson did well to turn the shot round the post. Three minutes later the 644 crowd were treated to a Belabed special when he produced an overhead kick from a Chris Clark cross. Unfortunately for the Moroccan his acrobatic effort went inches over the bar. Hearts were looking dangerous now and once more the Dons relied on another fine save from Ryan Esson. A Kaczan header from a corner looked to be net bound, but somehow Esson managed to tip the ball over to secure all three points.
Aberdeen Teamsheet
Esson, Solberg, Duncan, Belabed (Kidd 89), Anderson, Hedderman, Clark, O'Donoghue, Mike, Tiernan, Michie.

Unused Subs: Payne, Souter, McKenzie, Preece.

Bookings:  Belabed (76).
Heart of Midlothian Teamsheet
Gordon, Neilson, McCann, Kaczan, Smith, Smith (Janzyck 75), Trialist (Winning 84), Boyack, Davidson, Weir, McMullan (Sloan 63) Unused Subs:

Bookings:  Boyack 36,   Smith 79
Attendance: 644
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: Chris Boyle