Aberdeen 3 - 0 Hamilton

Following back-to-back defeats to Hearts and Celtic, Aberdeen's Under 18s coach Barry Robson made just one change to his starting eleven as Liam Harvey took the place of Finn Yeats.

The young Dons were out of the traps quickly and scored a lovely opening goal in just the fourth minute. Skipper Lyall Booth played a fine ball forward for Adam Emslie to drive down the left before delivering an inviting cross which was expertly headed past Smith in the Accies goal by Harvey, the ball going in via the keeper's far post.

The goal really fired up the home side and, after Michael Dangana fired over a defensive error, they doubled their advantage in the seventh minute. Tom Findlay won a midfield challenge and drove forward to beat the keeper in very composed fashion. A perfect start for the Dons leaving Accies shellshocked.

Jack Milne, who was excellent throughout, had a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet in fairly quick succession, shooting over the top when perhaps he could have taken a little more time to set himself.

For all their undoubted enthusiasm Hamilton were unable to create any pressure on the home defence, where Evan Towler and Mason Hancock were looking very comfortable.

When Aberdeen moved forward, Findlay, Corey Gerrard and Milne were combining well on the right-hand side and causing the visitors lots of problems. On the half hour, Jack Milne should have made it three, rising well to meet Jack MacIver's deep corner kick but directing his header just over.

Six minutes later, Emslie was denied by the woodwork, his effort coming off the bar after excellent leading up work by Booth and Dangana. The rebound fell for Findlay but the Accies defence scrambled the ball clear.

A very solid first half from Aberdeen, the only surprise being they didn't have more goals to show for their dominance.

Half time - Aberdeen Under 18s 2 Hamilton Academical Under 18s 0

Accies finally threatened the home goal two minutes after the restart, Pirrie's dangerous free-kick bobbling about in the box before being booted clear. Aberdeen responded well and Hancock turned a MacIver corner over the top as the game became a bit scrappy.

Full back Marshall was caught in possession by the ever-eager Dangana but redeemed himself by making a great recovery tackle to divert the striker's shot away for a fruitless corner.

It was to prove a frustrating evening for Dangana as he saw a couple of decent penalty shouts turned down by referee Scott Leslie.

Pirrie, who was probably the pick of the visiting players, did really well to escape the attentions of Booth before firing in a dangerous cross, but none of his team-mates were in a position to test Blessing Oluyemi who didn't have a direct shot to save all night.

MacIver shot wide as Aberdeen pressed for a third goal then Accies went down to ten men for the final 15 minutes of the game as Stirling limped off with his side having used all their outfield subs including Raegan Hartley, son of former Dons' skipper Paul.

Harvey narrowly missed grabbing his second goal of the game, heading Gerrard's cross just wide but Aberdeen were not to be denied the counter which put a more realistic look on the scoreline.

With the clock showing 91 minutes, Tom Findlay turned the ball in from 15 yards after more fine work from Gerrard on the right, his third goal in three games for the Under 18s.

All in all, a good night's work for the home side who were better than Hamilton in all departments. Next up for the kids is an away game against Kilmarnock.