Aberdeen 2 - 2 Hamilton

Aberdeen made six changes from the side which played at Hampden as they faced Hamilton Accies in the second last game of the Development League campaign. Archie Mair, Jack MacKenzie, Lloyd Robertson, Miko Virtanen, David Dangana and Chris Antoniazzi, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, all came into the starting eleven as the Dons looked for the win which would seal fourth spot in the table.

Seb Ross and David Dangana combined well to create a shooting chance for Chris Antoniazzi, but keeper Marshall save comfortably. At the other end Kelly had a chance but lifted his shot high over. Jack MacKenzie, who started the game brightly with a couple of penetrating runs, came close on 6 minutes when his right-footed effort looped just over the bar.
On 10 minutes Antoniazzi tested the keeper with a twenty-yard shot which Marshall turned around the post for a corner. Marshall saved well from Bruce Anderson as the Dons pressed for the opener but Accies also had chances, Smith being guilty of a lack of composure as he tried to lob Mair.
Aberdeen broke the deadlock on 21 minutes. A driving run down the left by skipper Dean Campbell saw him deliver a pinpoint pass for Miko Virtanen to slot past Marshall from six yards, the Finnish Under 19 international's first goal for the Dons.
The lively Antoniazzi curled a free-kick just over before Seb Ross limped off to be replaced by younger brother Ethan. Good link-up play from Dangana created space for Antoniazzi but his powerful drive was inches wide of the keeper's right-hand post. Hughes picked up a booking for dissent two minutes from the break. Sixty seconds later Accies drew level when Lewis Smith held off Roscoe to net an angled drive beyond Mair. Over the piece, a fairly even first half with both teams playing some good football and each having chances, so all to play for in the second period.

Half time: Aberdeen 1 Hamilton Academical 1

Roscoe headed an Anderson corner over as the Dons fashioned the first chance of the second half. Dangana tested Marshall with a long-range effort, but the keeper made a solid save. On the hour mark, the Dons moved ahead again, Bruce Anderson rifling the ball into the net from close range after good work from Campbell and Dangana following a long clearance from Archie Mair.
Hamilton took Scullion off, replacing him with Mimnaugh. Two minutes later Hamilton took over from Wilson. A magnificent ball from Lloyd Robertson picked out Anderson in the box and only a last-ditch interception from Douglas prevented him from making it 3-1.
Fine defending from Virtanen stopped Hughes from getting an equaliser as Accies still looked dangerous going forward. Injury forced Hamilton skipper Boyd off on 70 minutes, Reilly coming on to replace him. A blustery wind wasn?t helping the players as the game became a bit scrappy. Mair produced an excellent save to deny Kelly after substitute Mimnaugh had picked the lanky striker out in the area. With quarter of an hour remaining Dangana came off to be replaced by Sean Linden. As ever, David had put in an energetic shift for the team.
A fine double save from Mair denied Accies but the keeper was left helpless on 80 minutes when Smith gathered a long ball from McCann to fire the ball in for a second equaliser. Tierney shot over as the visitors looked for a winner before Hamilton headed wide from inside the six-yard box. Kevin Hanratty replaced Antoniazzi on 87 minutes, the youngster making his first appearance for the Development League team.
A dangerous cross from McCann almost evaded Mair and slipped into the far corner but the final whistle blew with honours even after an entertaining encounter.

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