CAS Scotland U18 League
Hamilton Academical 1 Aberdeen 2
ZLX Stadium, New Douglas Park
Friday 19th February 2024
A fantastic goal from Ellis Clark just a minute after Hamilton Accies had equalised was the difference in a closely fought match in Lanarkshire on Friday evening that saw Aberdeen Under 18s head North with all three points and make it two important wins from two for the week.
Fraser Mackie had the Dons ahead at the interval only for Accies to equalise just after the hour mark, but celebrations for the hosts were short lived after Clark scored almost immediately from kick-off.
The Dons managed the rest of the game fantastically well and were extremely worthy of the points as they continue their pursuit to finish as high up the league table as possible.
The early stages saw chances at both ends which was a preview of what would be a fairly even first 45. Mackie found himself one on one with the keeper, but shot straight at Stafford.
However, he made up for his miss mere minutes later after Fletcher Boyd set him up with a beautiful through ball, this time the young forward made no mistake with the finish.
There was a selection of opportunities to Accies to pull level, Morgan could’ve and should’ve done better with an effort from close range. Not long after, Condy headed over at the back-post with what was a decent chance.
Boyd looked typically sharp and won a free-kick when he jinxed towards goal and got chopped down in the process, Brendan Hamilton took the free-kick and stung the palms of Stafford in the process, the ball going behind for a corner.
Soon after it was the home sides turn to enjoy a spell of pressure via dead balls, they came close, but Aberdeen were well organised and defended well, clearing an effort of the line in the process.
Before the half was out some nice Dons play around the box culminated in Ellis Clark working his way inside and testing the Accies keeper with a zinging effort from a difficult angle, but it was pushed to safety and the young Dons went in a goal up at the interval.
Half-time, Hamilton 0-1 Aberdeen.
At the start of the half Gwamba Lo- Kalala done extremely well for the hosts to work his way inside the box around the Dons defence, but his shot was unable to match the quality of the run and he fired right at Vitols.
Hamilton equalised through Morgan after 64 minutes. Accies moved the well up the park very quickly via their right-hand side, and the host’s number nine was able to lift the ball over Vitols to level the contest.
Before the hosts barely got a chance to settle back into the game at 1-1 as soon they were behind again.
From the edge of the box Clark unleashed a powerful low dig that was always going to beat Stafford, and the young Dons had the lead again on the road.
Wilson would have been aggrieved not to put his side 3-1 up as he drove towards goal and elected to shoot when he had options inside the six-yard box, his effort wide of the mark.
The Dons had a bit of a let off when Morgan poked a shot wide of goal from close range. Aside from that, Aberdeen had done well to restrict the amount of Hamilton chances.
Dylan Ross made way, Tristan Stephen came on in his place to see out the final period. The young forward done well off the bench and was unfortunate not to see the net bulge when he was on the end of an Aberdeen counterattack, his shot earning his side a corner.
Ellis Clark was replaced at the death by Christovie Kondolo who was introduced to see out the game after an impressive showing by Clark in the middle of the park.
Aberdeen almost had a third goal to show for a good performance on the road at the very end, this time Hamilton’s free-kick clattered off the post and hit Mackie from close range, but the ball was well clawed off the line by Stafford.
Another excellent win for the young Dons during a busy period.
STATS
Hamilton Accies: Stafford, Eadie, Murkland, Reily, Neeson, Aiken (Herd 58), Gwamba-Lo-Kalala (R Daly 90), Hodgkiss, Morgan, Condy (Carson 58), J. Daly (Devenny 71)
Subs not used: Marks
Booked: Neeson 26, Eadie 39, R Daly 93
Goal: Morgan 64
Aberdeen: Vitols, Hamilton, Carrol, Watson, Wilson, Masson, Mackie, Boyd, Clark (Kondolo 88’) Akindileni, Ross (Stephen 76’)
Subs not used: Smillie, Green, Searle, To
Booked: Watson 28, Boyd 45+1
Goal: Mackie 7, Clark 65
