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Brown Off To A Winning Start...

26 December 2010

… as Dons produce some festive cheer.

Craig Brown got off to a winning start this afternoon as he steered Aberdeen to a first win in two months. The home side enjoyed a lot of possession in the opening exchanges, but it was a composed Aberdeen who went ahead in the 35th minute when Folly grabbed his first goal for the club. The Dons frailties showed when they conceded an equaliser with the last kick of the first half. Rather than implode Aberdeen showed great character as they started the second half strongly and were rewarded when Vernon scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 62nd minute. This win takes Aberdeen off the basement and sets them up for a real six pointer against Hamilton on Wednesday.

Hibernian kicked off and enjoyed the early possession without threatening the Aberdeen goal. Then in the 2nd minute Aberdeen carved out their first chance when Maguire had an attempt from a very difficult angle that went well over. Two minutes later Rankin and Riordan had chances, but both made a mess of their attempts allowing Aberdeen to break quickly. However Vernon was unable to make anything of the chance and in the 11th minute there was an accidental collision between Folly and Riordan.

After a short delay the game restarted with Maguire testing Brown in the Hibs goal, but it was an easy stop for the keeper. Aberdeen then won the first corner of the match in the 16th minute, but despite the efforts of Diamond Hibs were able to clear their lines. Although Hibs were enjoying the bulk of the possession. apart from the early chance for Rankin and Riordan, the Dons defence had yet to be tested. In the 23rd minute Hibs won their first corner of the match and when the defence failed to deal with the second ball Langfield was forced into a great save from Riordan.

A minute later an Aberdeen free kick was cleared by Murray before McArdle was forced to concede a second corner at the other end. As the ball came across Vujadinovic cleared the danger before Aberdeen carved out another decent chance in the 33rd minute. A quick free kick confused the Hibs back four and keeper Brown needed two attempts to stop an effort from Young. Two minutes later Vernon cushioned a ball into the path of Aluko, but the youngster was flagged offside. Then in the 35th minute Aberdeen went ahead.

Vernon created the goal when he got on the wrong side of Hogg and played a ball into the path of the oncoming Folly who made no mistake as he grabbed his first goal for the club. Aberdeen won another free kick five minutes later, but Hogg looked livelier than he had at the goal and was first to attack the delivery from Hartley. Folly then conceded a free kick at the other end, but again the Aberdeen defence stood firm. On the stroke of half time the Dons conceded following some slack defending. Langfield made a save from Rankin, but could only turn the ball into the path of Riordan who had a simple tap in to undo all the good work.

Magennis replaced Aluko at the interval and in the opening minute Hartley won a free kick. Magennis instantly showed his worth by holding up the ball and finding his skipper who won a second free kick. Hartley went for goal and the keeper was forced to turn the ball for a corner. From the set play Magennis forced Brown into another save with a powerful header. Three minutes into the half Diamond was replaced by Ifil as Aberdeen made a good start to the second half.

There was controversy in the 52nd minute when Magennis rounded the keeper then went to ground. Referee O’Reilly waved play on, but having adjudged it not to be a penalty he obviously didn’t feel that Magennis had dived as the striker was not cautioned. At the other end Young made a goal saving tackle to deny the home side as the second half was really beginning to come alive. In the 56th minute Langfield was forced into a fine save from Wotherspoon to concede a corner and from the set play the ball ended up in the side netting as the home side fought their way back into the game.

A Considine free kick was flicked on by Vernon, but Maguire was eventually crowded out. Hogg and Brown then had a communication breakdown, but the Dons were unable to capitalise on the mix up. In the 61st minute Aberdeen regained the lead when Hartley picked up a loose ball, fired it across the the face of the goal and found Vernon who chested the ball into the net. Hogg earned the first caution of the match for a foul on Folly in the 64th minute as Aberdeen increased the pressure. Two minutes later Magennis went close when he forced a save from Brown after getting his head on to a McArdle cross.

At the other end Riordan got on the end of a Hart free kick, but sent the ball high and wide. The Dons went close again in the 69th minute when Hartley found Magennis. His cross was finding Vernon when Hogg intercepted and turned the ball behind. Hibs were then awarded the goal kick much to the surprise of the red army. The home fans had their own penalty claim in the 73rd minute when a poor pass from Hartley was intercepted by substitute Galbraith. He raced into the box and a great challenge from Ifil saw the Hibs player go down, but the referee waved play on.

In the 75th minute Maguire carved out a chance. Following some good play he forced a save from Brown. The youngster went for goal when a pass might have been the better option. Aberdeen had looked impressive in this second half despite losing the late goal in the first forty five. In the 85th minute a fierce shot from Maguire was pushed out by Brown but Magennis couldn’t convert the loose ball and Vernon was booked a minute later for time wasting. In the closing minutes Magennis broke, but was dispossessed by Hogg before Langfield had an easy save at the other end.

In the final minute Hibs almost levelled twice when first Langfield half saved and McArdle cleared for a corner. As the ball came across another effort was cleared off the line by Folly as panic stations took over at the back. Maguire then collected the ball, but made a poor pass rather than run it into the corner. Hibs stormed forward again, but Langfield was able to collect. Pawlett replaced Maguire in stoppage time as the Dons looked to hang on. Aberdeen did hold out to complete the double over Hibs and earn a much needed win.

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