Hibernian 4 - 2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen fielded what was almost certainly their youngest ever side in a Development League game in Edinburgh this afternoon. Despite the defeat there were some positives with the performances of Scott Anderson's U17 boys. Joe MacPherson, Seb Ross, Darren Hynes, David Dangana all started the game whilst Seyon Koshoedo and Owen Lawrence came off the bench. As for the game itself, the young Dons got off to the worst possible start when Jamie Insall scored from a corner and at the same time keeper Robbie Mutch got injured. Hibs then made it two before Dangana scored after latching onto a through ball from MacPherson. Both youngsters caught the eye this afternoon. Bruce Anderson and Jamie Henry both went close before El Alagui added his second, Hibs third. Before half time Porteous headed home a fourth and had it not been for two very good saves from sub keeper David Craddock the scoreline could have been worse. After the break there was another major injury blow when Jamie Henry was carried off. It unfortunately looked a bad injury. But then, with Paul Sheerin's side really up against it, they dug deep to go on and be the better side in the second 45. On 56 minutes Michael Rose headed home to make it 4-2, and after that they had a number of half chances. In the final ten minutes the young players legs went a little, which is not surprising as the U17 players had played a league game on Sunday.

Paul Sheerin was without Frank Ross, Scott Wright and Dylan Thomas who are away on international duty, whilst Scott McKenna, Daniel Harvie, Joe Nuttall, Kalvin Orsi, Connor McLennan, Liam Lambert, Stewart Rennie and Craig Storie were all unavailable through injury. The game could not have got off to a worse start for the very young Dons when the home side scored after only two minutes. Duthie's corner was missed by Robbie Mutch and Jamie Insall produced a good leap to head the ball into the empty net. Robbie, who has been in outstanding form this season, appeared to be obstructed before landing awkwardly and had to be carried off. David Craddock came off the bench to make his debut. Credit to Paul Sheerin's side as they regrouped for 10 minutes or so. On 14 minutes a Norris deflected shot produced the Dons first corner and Anderson was unlucky to see a shot blocked but two minutes later they conceded a second. A well worked move saw Arron Dunsmore cross from the right and the ball was tucked in by Farid El Alagui. Aberdeen continued to battle hard and on 20 minutes right back Joe MacPherson played a through ball to David Dangana who showed real composure to roll the ball past Brennan. The goal lifted the reds and Bruce Anderson and Jamie Henry then both had shots from the edge of the area which went inches wide, in fact Jamie's shot clipped the outside of the post on the way past. But just before the half hour mark Dangana lost the ball on the half way line and the home side went on to score a goal almost identical to their second. Dunsmore's low cross from the left was met by El Alagui who slotted home. It was poor defending from the Dons. On 36 minutes Oli Shaw forced Craddock to make a great save, tipping the ball over after an impressive leap. El Algui then hit the post before Craddock then produced another very good save from Insall at his near post. Unfortunately though he could not prevent a fourth going in before the interval. On 42 minutes from another corner which the Dons failed deal with, centre half Ryan Porteous was able to force the ball home.

During the interval Sam Robertson was replaced by Seyon Koshoedo. And minutes into the second half Jamie Henry had to be replaced by Owen Lawrence. Both subs moved over to the left side and did well to prevent many more attacks coming down that side. Aberdeen had to withstand some pressure but defended a lot better. They also got forward in good numbers and were rewarded on 56 minutes when Michael Rose powered home a header from a corner. The Dons actually impressed when going forward with Anderson, Koshoedo and Norris showing some good skill. Aberdeen pushed hard for a third goal which would have seen them right back in the game but Brennan dealt with everything that was thrown his way. Hibs did have their chances in the second period. On 61 minutes El Alagui heads an effort onto the roof of the net and on 63 minutes Shaw's powerful header was tipped over the bar by Craddock. Another decent save. Late on when tiredness crept in El Alagui should have completed his hat-trick but Culjak did just enough to force his shot over the bar.