Aberdeen 0 - 1 Hibernian

Hibernian kicked off but it was Aberdeen who threatened first delivering a couple of promising crosses into the box without threatening the Hibs goal. In the 5th minute Scott Severin strode forward and had a pot at goal from 25 yards, but the effort went well wide. Hibs threatened for the first time two minutes later when Riordan headed a Beuzelin cross over the bar. The visitors had settled now and they were beginning to gain the upper hand. It was Aberdeen who won the first corner kick in the 13th minute when Smith went on a direct run into the penalty area. The corner was easily cleared but Aberdeen threatened again a minute later.

A Riordan volley on the half hour mark was sliced wide then a minute later the hard working Jamie Smith threatened again before his cross was cleared. A well-worked move in the 34th ended with Severin pulling a shot wide of the goal then McNaughton fired high and wide a minute later. McNaughton went closer in the 36th minute when Malkowski turned his low drive round the post. The subsequent corner saw the keeper save from a Byrne header. Aberdeen were unlucky in the 41st minute when Malkowski fumbled a Nicholson cross and Severin was unlucky to see his shot blocked.

Hibs had a great chance in the opening minute of the second half when Riordan lost Hart and forced Esson into a save. Three minutes later Hibs went close again and it took a good challenge from Anderson to bring that attack to a halt. A minute later Nicholson fired a free kick inches wide then Dempsey replaced McNaughton who had picked up a knock earlier in the match. Smith and Nicholson then carved out half chances but neither tested the keeper. Aberdeen then gifted Hibs the opening goal in the 55th minute when O'Connor released substitute Sproule on the right. The Irishman delivered a weak cross and as Diamond went to boot the ball clear, he totally missed allowing Riordan a tap in from six yards.

Michael Hart was caught by a late challenge from Scott Brown in the 78th minute and incredibly ended up in the book alongside Brown. Four minutes later another horrendous challenge by Brown on Hart produced a free kick and a talking to for Hart while Brown was lucky to escape further punishment.

At the end of the day Aberdeen were simply not creating enough chances in front of goal.

Another interesting decision in the 90th minute saw Severin booked despite being fouled by Sproule. Again the referee booked both players then took an eternity to get play underway.

Then in injury time John Stewart was clearly bundled over in the box but only won the Dons a corner. The Dons failed to pull one back and end the first series of fixtures with a defeat and only 13 points from a possible 33.

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