News
Hibernian U20s V Aberdeen U20s
match report
Clydesdale Bank Youth League | Hibernian U20s 4 v 1 Aberdeen U20s | 2.00pm KO
Doyle 24, Horribine 31, Beatton 62, Todd 83; McManus 61
A very young Aberdeen side went down 4-1 to Hibernian this afternoon at the Hibs training ground. Two goals in the first half gave Hibs the upper hand at half time. Declan McManus pulled one back with a great finish but Beaton then scored shortly after that to make it 3-1 and sub Todd completed the scoring.
With the first team game tomorrow, plus with their being injuries to a number of youth players, Neil Cooper handed Stuart Close, Marcus Campanile and Jamie Hamilton their first starts of the season and Scott McKenna, Michael Jones and Michael Kelly were all called up from the u17s and given a place on the bench. All three also made their debuts this afternoon when they came on as subs.
The Dons lined up with Rogers in goal, Close was at right back with Duguid and Rumsby in central defence and Murray at left back. The midfield three were Gibbons, Campanile and O’Neill, who captained the side. Jamie Hamilton played just off the front two who were O’Sullivan and McManus.
The opening stages of the game were very even but Hibs took the lead when a cross from Paul was put in by Jay Doyle. The goal gave the home side a big lift and they dominated proceeding for a bit.
Then just after the half hour mark Hibs grabbed a second when Horribine’s well struck volley deflected off Doyle and went in. The goal was similar to Josh Magennis’ goal at Celtic Park the other week as the shot did appear to be going in so there was some debate as to who scored. Rogers made a couple of good saves to keep the Dons in it and at the other end Aberdeen could have grabbed a goal back just before half time.
During the interval Neil Cooper gave further debuts to McKenna and Kelly. Duguid went to left back and Craig Murray moved to the right back spot with McKenna playing left centre back.
And the changes made a difference as Aberdeen started the second half very strongly. Declan McManus was clean through but put his effort into the side netting when he might have been better squaring it for O’Sullivan. Then McManus went through again but this time the keeper did well to smoother the shot at Declan’s feet and Stephen O’Neill missed a good chance from about 8 yards. Scott Rumsby also missed a very good chance with a header from a corner.
The Dons did finally pull a goal back with an excellent overhead kick from McManus but just when it looked like it was game on again Hibs went up the park and scored. Jamie Beaton hit a great left-footed thunderbolt. Rogers was unlucky as he almost saved it but the ball hit the underside of the bar and went in. Then late on substitute Todd scored a fourth after poor defending from the young Dons.
Aberdeen passed the ball about well but Hibs were far more clinical in front of goal.
Teams:
Aberdeen u20s: Rogers, Close (McKenna 45), Murray, Gibbons, Rumsby, Duguid, Hamilton (Kelly 45), Campanile (Jones 77), McManus, O’Sullivan, O’Neill Subs: Macaulay, Szemis, Scott McKenna, Michael Jones, Michael Kelly
Hibernian u20s: Horne, Black, Baptie, Gold, Wilson, Martynuik, Paul, Horribine, Caldwell, Doyle, Beaton Subs: Grant, Dunsmore, Todd, Crane, Sinclair, Bauld
Neil Cooper told RedWeb: “It was a funny type of game as there were never three goals between the teams. We gave away goals we never normally do. The first one was a ball into the box that we did not deal with and the second one was from a corner we never cleared.
“We had three boys making their first starts and we made a couple of changes at half time and brought on McKenna and Kelly and then Jones. All the younger boys did very well especially McKenna who showed the qualities we are looking for.
“That is two games now that we are disappointed that we have lost. The boys have had a very good season but now they have to show a bit of character in the next game against Motherwell on Tuesday. We missed the experience the overage players normal give us but credit to the Hibs boys. They took their chances today.”
An Aberdeen XI will play Stonehaven FC in a friendly match for The Stonehaven Flood Relief Fund on Sunday.
MATCH: Stonehaven F.C. v Aberdeen F.C. XI
COMPETITION: Friendly – Stonehaven Flood Relief Fund
DATE: Sunday 31st March 2013
VENUE: Glenury Park, Stonehaven
KICK-OFF: 1:30pm
Entry costs £10 for adults and £5 for kids and over 65s.