Hamilton Academical 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen made only one change from the eleven who started last week's Reserve Cup semi-final against Hearts, Danny Strachan replacing the suspended Ethan Ross.

The Dons started with a back three of Harrington, Roscoe and Turner. Virtanen sat in front of the three with Strachan and Mackenzie the wingbacks. Campbell and Brown were in midfield with Antoniazzi supporting Dangana up top.

Reilly had the first opportunity for Accies on 4 minutes but dragged his shot just wide. Neither side was finding it easy to find openings and the two keepers enjoyed a pretty quiet first 15 minutes.

Good link up play between Antoniazzi, Dangana and Strachan briefly threatened the Accies goal, Want defending the situation well before the wing-back could get a cross in.

Strachan again found space on the right as the Dons kept up the pressure, his cross just too strong. Smith cut in from the right for Accies and fired in a powerful left-footed effort which was just too high. 

On twenty minutes Aberdeen broke the deadlock with a goal of stunning quality. Miko Virtanen burst forward from midfield and exchanged passes with Dangana before rifling a fine left-foot shot high past Marsden. Real class from the Finnish Under 19 international.

Hamilton broke forward nicely on the left through skipper McCann, but Harrington made a fine challenge to snuff out the danger. Accies' Reilly took a knock after colliding with Antoniazzi but was able to resume after treatment.

On 34 minutes, Morgan Brown tested Marsden with a dipping volley after Virtanen laid a Strachan cross into his path, the keeper parrying the ball behind for a corner. Dean Campbell then had two quickfire efforts on goal, the first saved well by Marsden and the second blocked by the Accies defence. Aberdeen were beginning to get right on top.

On 43 minutes it was 2-0 to the Dons as Chris Antoniazzi showed great composure to roll the ball into an empty net after Marsden had made a mistake in the Accies goal as he tried to clear from the inrushing Campbell.

Not a first half full of silky football, but Virtanen's excellent finish and Antoniazzi's opportunism see the Dons two up, although Accies will feel the scoreline is a little harsh on them.

Half time - Hamilton Accies 0 Aberdeen 2

David Dangana almost made it three and easy for the Dons two minutes into the second period, picking up a through ball from Virtanen before clipping his shot over Marsden but off the top of the bar.

Accies came close to pulling a goal back on 52 minutes when Winter seemed set to nod home McCann's cross, but a superb headed clearance from Sam Roscoe averted the danger. Really good defending from the big man who is enjoying a great season on loan at Championship side Alloa Athletic.

The Dons were passing the ball around nicely and Brown was unlucky to see his curling effort from twenty yards fly just too high. Virtanen had the ball in the net on 59 minutes after a speedy break from Strachan, but the offside flag was up and the score remained two nil to the visitors.

Accies made a double switch on 66 minutes, Munro and Joseph coming on for Reilly and Smith.

A brilliant cross from Antoniazzi look like producing a third Dons gola but Dangana couldn't get a strong enough head to it. Mackenzie and Brown were replaced by Mykyta and Duncan with twenty minutes remaining.

Hamilton looked certain to pull one back moments later when Scullion found himself free in front of goal, but Craddock spread himself well to block the ball. The big Irishman was determined to record another clean sheet.

Aberdeen had the ball in the Accies net again on 74 minutes when Luke Turner volleyed home, but again the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Substitute Joseph tried his luck from distance as Accies desperately sought a route back into the match, Craddock again well positioned to make the save look easy.

Lloyd Robertson came on to replace Antoniazzi for the last eight minutes, Canto having produced a top-notch performance for his team including that very important second goal.

Tyler Mykyta ensured Accies weren't to get back into the game as he cleared Jamie Hamilton's shot off the line following a corner.

Campbell was inches too high with a fine shot from the edge of the area on 87 minutes after Mykyta's break forward, then Want headed over from an Accies corner.

Mykyta tried an outrageous lob from inside his own half after seeing Marsden off his line, the keeper relieved to be able to back-pedal and clutch the ball safely.

A very solid, professional performance from Aberdeen to seal victory this afternoon in a game played in a very sporting, though competitive, manner.

Full time - Hamilton Accies 0 Aberdeen 2