..Gavin Rae winner for Dons

Aberdeen got their first home league victory of the season in a thoroughly entertaining contest against Hibernian. Fresh from their last minute victory in the league cup, the Dons claimed the three points with goals from Niall McGinn early on and Gavin Rae on 70 minutes. They were either side of a stunning strike from Eoin Doyle for the visitors which in the end was irrelevant.

Craig Brown restored many of the players who were left out of the side for the Dunfermline game with Russell Anderson, Ryan Jack, Stephen Hughes and Scott Vernon starting. Johnny Hayes missed out with injury but Ryan Fraser did make despite being a doubt in the run up to the game.

Hibernian started the game well and indeed it was nearly 3 minutes before Aberdeen got any meaningful possession of the ball. When they did manage to string a few passes together incredibly it resulted in the first goal of the game.

Scott Vernon found himself bearing down on goal and shot at Ben Williams who parried to his right where Niall McGinn tapped the ball into the net to give the home side the advantage just 4 minutes into the game.

The game began to flow from end to end and Jamie Langfield was forced into a fantastic save from a Leigh Griffiths shot on 9 minutes. 3 minutes later, former Don Alan Maybury was fortunate to only see yellow for a poor tackle on Ryan Fraser on the edge of the box. The Dons youngster had been subjected to some rough treatment in previous games, and that continued in this one.

Superb play by Fraser then set up a great chance for the Dons as he sent in a cross after fantastic wing play but no one was at the near post and McGinn couldn’t make up enough ground at the back post to meet it.

There was then a lull in the match with both sides having spells of possession but doing little meaningful with it after a frantic start to the game.

Things livened up though and James McPake had to look sharp to clear a superb Ryan Jack cross into the box but the defender was at the centre of attention a short time later when he scooped away a cross into the box with his hand. The Red Army were on their feet and protesting but referee Calum Murray pointed only for a corner to the Dons.

The home side should have made it 2-nil a short time later. Vernon found Hughes inside the box and he should have scored but looked short on confidence and Williams saved the weak effort. The ball was crossed back towards goal and Vernon sent a looping shot towards goals which Williams tipped over the bar.

Hibernian got themselves back into the game though on 33 minutes out of virtually nothing. Poor defending from Mark Reynolds saw Eoin Doyle in space and he took a first time volley that sent the ball past Langfield into the net. It was a superb strike and may have been helped by the swirling wind but the Dons now found themselves level before half time.

With 38 minutes gone, Isaac Osbourne wasted a fantastic chance when he headed wide from a superb corner kick. Paul Cairney was lucky not be booked for yet another poor tackle on Fraser.

Jamie Langfield, outstanding in midweek, had to gather at the second attempt after a wind assisted Griffiths free kick was driven powerfully towards goal but the half ended with the teams on level terms.

HT 1-1

The Dons started the second period well and a dubious offside decision was all that stopped Niall McGinn from bearing down on goal. Ryan Jack and Andrew Considine then combined well down the left and when Considine crossed into the box it caused panic in the Hibernian box but they eventually cleared.

Josh Magennis replaced Ryan Fraser who was unable to continue after the rough treatment of the first half on 54 minutes. Magennis was played up front alongside Scott Vernon. Seconds after the change, Niall McGinn took the ball for a walk along the by-line but Hibs somehow managed to clear it after he crossed dangerously towards goal.

Hibernian could have taken the lead when David Wotherspoon was left unmarked in the box but he couldn’t connect properly with the ball and sent it out of play for the goal kick. Paul Cairney was booked for a poor challenge but seconds later then shot just over the bar.

Great play by Vernon found Magennis and he drew a foul from Hanlon on the edge of the box for which the visiting defender was cautioned. It was a great opportunity for the Dons but was wasted- Magennis himself fired wide of the target.

The Dons continued to create chances with several good balls played across the box into dangerous positions and they got their reward on 70 minutes when Gavin Rae converted following good work from Magennis down the right. It was a just reward for their performance to this point and the Red Army were delighted.

With the Dons now in the lead, Hibernian had to attack and this left gaps for the home side to exploit. On 79 minutes it was Hibs though who created a great chance with a good run from McPake into the box which Russell Anderson did well to get the slightest of touches to clear for a corner. From the resultant corner Gavin Rae had to clear under pressure as Hibs piled men into the box. Another great chance for Hibs saw substitute Kuqi slip the ball past Langfield but Mark Reynolds came to the rescue to clear off the line in time.

Scott Vernon, who had an excellent game for the home side, was replaced by Rob Milsom as the Dons wound the clock down and after 3 minutes of added time they claimed the three points to record that vital first home win of the season.