Aberdeen 4 - 2 Hibernian

Following Saturday's Irn Bru Cup loss to Inverness Caley Thistle, it was back to Development League action for the Young Dons when they welcomed Hibernian to Glebe Park. The Easter Road second string were impressive 6-1 winners at Kilmarnock in their opening league fixture but lost the Edinburgh derby to Hearts last week. Ryan Harrington was drafted into midfield with Joe MacPherson - 17 yesterday - slotting in at right back. Danny Rogers replaced Archie Mair in goal with David Dangana taking the striking role with Bruce Anderson dropping to the bench. The Dons had two trialists on show - one starting wide left, the other taking a place amongst the substitutes.

Hibs created the game's first opening on 5 minutes when Gullan made a good break down the left but the Dons defence cleared the danger before Shaw could profit. Danny Rogers showed superb touch to control a fierce Dean Campbell back pass with Shaw breathing down his neck. The Dons won their first corner on 11 minutes but the Hibs defence stood firm under the high ball. The visitors raced up to the other end and Blake's fiercely driven cross from the right was deflected just away from the Aberdeen goal. From the resulting corner Rogers clutched confidently.
On 16 minutes the visitors took the lead in bizarre fashion, left back Mackie delivering a hopeful cross from out wide which sailed over the head of Rogers before bouncing off his far post and into the back of the net. Seb Ross went down in the box as the Dons pushed forward but referee Fordyce said there was no foul. Mackie fancied his luck on 21 minutes but on this occasion his powerful effort flew well wide of the Dons goal. Four minutes later Rogers produced a top class save from Gullan's well struck twenty-yard shot. Good persistence from our trialist winger saw him slip the ball to Seb Ross whose powerful effort flew just wide of Dabrowski's right hand post. Better play from Aberdeen.
On the half hour mark the Dons drew level. Great pressing from McLennan saw the experienced Fontaine lose the ball which broke to Seb Ross and his neat pass inside was slipped past the keeper by David Dangana. A reward for hard work and a second league goal of the season for Dangana.
Hibs went back on the attack and Rogers again showed his quality to block a fine Fontaine header following a corner. Dangana was bundled off the ball in the Hibs penalty area but again the officials saw nothing amiss and no penalty was awarded. A fine burst forward from Ryan Harrington saw him exchange passes with McLennan before testing the keeper with a decent left footed attempt from distance. Dangana suffered a facial knock as he challenged for a high ball just before the interval and had to go off to receive treatment. The half time whistle sounded shortly afterwards to signal the end of an evenly contested first half. Hibs probably shaded the opening quarter but the Dons were growing stronger as the game progressed.

Half time Aberdeen 1 Hibernian 1

Hibs made a change at the break, Watson replacing Fontaine while David Dangana was able to take his place for the second 45. Harrington was impressing in his midfield role and he set McLennan free on the right but the Hibs defence was able to clear his dangerous cross at the expense of a fruitless corner.
Aberdeen took the lead on 51 minutes when Harrington superbly won the ball in midfield before setting McLennan free to race into the box before coolly slotting the ball past a helpless Dabrowski. Brilliant work from Ryan and a composed finish from Connor - an excellent goal. Bruce Anderson was introduced to the action on 55 minutes taking the place of Connor McLennan who has joined Brechin City on a development loan and will no doubt see plenty more action at Glebe Park in the forthcoming weeks. Hibs were still causing problems when they went forward but Rogers was perfectly placed to deal with Stirling's shot from the edge of the area. Danny Rogers showed his class once again on 63 minutes when he dived to save brilliantly from substitute Watson. The Irishman was having a fine game.
Dangana was in the wars again when he and Campbell clashed heads in the middle of the park but he was again able to resume after treatment. A dangerous cross from Swanson caused some panic in the Dons defence but Harrington was able to clear the danger. The trialist winger was withdrawn after 70m minutes, Hutchison taking his place. Gullan headed must wide shortly after as Hibs tried to get themselves back on level terms.
However the next goal went the way of the home side on 75 minutes, Seb Ross converting Dean Campbell's left-wing cross after a superb run from the Dons skipper. The sixteen-year-old showed both pace and power to hold off several defenders before cutting the perfect ball back for Seb whose goal delighted his watching granda Pat Nicol, father of former squash world champion Peter. Hibs weren't for giving up though and they grabbed a lifeline with nine minutes left when Shaw fired Gullan's cross past Rogers.
An error in the Dons defence gave Gullan a chance but Dean Campbell did brilliantly chasing back to prevent the Hibs man getting a clean shot on goal. With three minutes of normal time left Jack MacKenzie took over from Toby Wells. As the game went beyond the 90, Seb Ross grabbed his second goal of the night charging down an attempted clearance to go round the keeper before knocking the ball into the empty net. Persistence from Seb paying off, just as it did on Saturday when he scored against Inverness in the Irn Bru Cup.
That brought the scoring to an end. A hugely entertaining game which the Dons richly deserved to win featuring some fine individual performances and four good goals. This was the Dons first win in the League after two draws so they will go into next week's Links Park meeting with Dundee in great spirits.