Dons fail to bounce back

Aberdeen were looking to bounce back from the Celtic defeat, but looked to be suffering a hangover as they crashed 2-1 to lowly Hamilton. Having lost a goal against the run of play in the first half, Aberdeen struggled to breakdown a well organised Hamilton defence after the break. The breakthrough was finally made in the 75th minute when McDonald calmly slotted the ball low into the Accies net, but five minutes later the Dons were easily carved open and Hamilton regained their lead and comfortably held on for the three points.

Hamilton kicked off on a bitterly cold day at Pittodrie, but neither side threatened in the opening five minutes. The Dons were playing a neat passing game, but the visitor’s were well organised and both keepers were in danger of suffering from hypothermia at this stage. A quick break by Lee Miller in the 9th minute won the Dons a free kick 35 yards out well within Mulgrew territory. His effort deflected off the wall for the first corner of the match with Cerny scrambling across his goal. A second quickly followed as the Dons went close.

Maguire met the ball at the near post and steered a header towards the back post. It was going in the net all the way until it was headed clear in the last second. Aberdeen should have scored in the 15th minute when Mulgrew nutmegged one defender and released Paton. His cross was met by Pawlett, but the youngster headed over. At the other end Hamilton threatened from a free kick, but it was defended well. The visitor’s were enjoying more possession now and Langfield made a comfortable save from Antoine-Curier in the 21st minute.

A minute later Cerny had to race off his line to deny Maguire then another free kick was won in Mulgrew territory when same player was taken down. The full back was inches from the target as Cerny tipped the ball over. However the officials elected to award a goal kick much to the annoyance of the home crowd. Hamilton then won a corner in the 27th minute despite the ball going wide off of the head of Richard Hastings. Pawlett had to leave the field before the corner was taken and after an almighty scramble the ball was cleared. Pawlett was unable to resume and was replaced by Aluko on the half hour mark.

Neil picked up the first caution of the match a minute later for a foul on Maguire then in the 32nd minute Hamilton took the lead. A quick break found the Dons short at the back after Kerr lost possession and Antoine-Curier netted with Aberdeen looking for the offside flag. The game erupted in the 36th minute when Miller went for a 50-50 ball with keeper Cerny. The keeper’s reaction was slightly over the top and Miller ended up getting booked for the challenge. Hamilton should have made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute when the ball bounced of off Ross and Wesolowski fired wide when it looked easier to score. Lee Miller was unlucky not to level deep in injury time when his shot was deflected into the side netting.

Hamilton keeper Cerny failed to appear after the break and Aberdeen won an early corner, but gave substitute keeper Murdoch an easy catch from the delivery. Hamilton were content to take their time over every throw in and every free kick and the official was happy to allow them the time. Aberdeen won a second corner in the 52nd minute, but again it was easily defended. Aberdeen then had a spell of intense pressure and an obvious hand ball on the edge of the box was ignored as the Dons took control of the play. A short pass back by Foster put Langfield in trouble, but the keeper did well to smother the ball under pressure.

A deflected effort from Miller produced another corner in the 57th minute and another goalmouth scramble was cleared. A minute later Paton was replaced by Grassi then Aberdeen won a free kick in a dangerous position on the left and again Hamilton defended the set play as Aberdeen increased the pressure. Grassi was booked for his first foul only minutes after coming on then Wright replaced Maguire in the 65th minute. The Dons built up the pressure with a series of corners, but a Hamilton head seemed to be getting to every ball.

McDonald should have done better after 72 minutes when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box, but he fired over with the goal gaping. Aberdeen eventually levelled in the 75th minute when McDonald made up for his miss as he calmly passed the ball into the net. Wright was then booked for a soft challenge giving Hamilton an excuse to waste another five minutes. Hamilton then had a chance with a long through ball, but Foster did well to get back. However a minute later Accies retained the lead when the Dons were far too easily carved open and Wesolowski netted.

Aberdeen were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute, but there was no red card on display. Maurice Ross pulled up and was unable to continue. With all substitutes used the Dons had to battle on a man short. A late corner was palmed away by the keeper and Aluko delivered the ball back into the centre, but again the ball was easily cleared. Deep in injury time a good delivery from Mulgrew was tamely headed towards goal and the Dons were destined for a second straight defeat.