Hibernian U18 1-1 Aberdeen U18s Club Academy Scotland U18 Elite League Friday 16h May 2025 Hibernian Training Centre
A fantastic second-half free kick from Fraser Mackie earned Aberdeen U18s a 1-1 draw away to champions Hibernian.
It could have been more, as Aberdeen pressed hard at the end looking for a winner that they ultimately couldn’t find.
For the final match of the season, the young Dons made three changes to the side who lost out to Rangers last week, Jay Henderson, Joseph Teasdale and Tristian Stephen all coming in from the start, Zak To was handed the captain’s armband for the evening.
The opening was not as promising however, as Hibernian scored in under a minute. A loose pass from Rodrigo Vitols was pounced on, and Dean Cleland cut in from the left to beat the Aberdeen keeper at his near post.
It was nearly two in the 10th minute as Aberdeen twice gave the ball away in their own box, but McMurdo couldn’t connect with his shot properly and Vitols was comfortable.
Cleland was denied a second after he controlled Whittaker’s cross and beat Vitols as Enem got back to his own line and made an important block.
Again the Dons nearly caused their own downfall in the 24th minute, struggling to clear their lines, but Jamie McMurdo sliced his shot from eight yards out.
Victor Enem struck Aberdeen’s first shot at goal just shy of half an hour in, cutting in from the right and curling an effort just wide of the far post.
Lewis Carrol then tried his luck from a central position just outside the box, but he shot straight at keeper Ryan Mallon.
With increased possession, it was Teasdale who next had an opportunity for Aberdeen, running up the left from his own half and cutting in to shoot, but Mallon got down well to his left.
Half-Time: Hibernian U18 1-0 Aberdeen U18
After Hibernian enjoyed the early possession, Enem took the first shot at goal of the second half, again cutting from the right and aiming for the left, but this time it was blocked for a corner.
A minute later Stephen had a free header in the box after a free kick, but again it was blocked.
Substitute Ellis Clark had Aberdeen’s best chance so far in the 62nd minute, linking well with Fraser Mackie in the box and driving low towards the far corner, but Mallon produced a fine stop.
The goal finally came in the 79th minute. Enem made a wonderful run into the middle, and when he was felled just outside the box, Mackie stepped up to thunder a wonderful free kick in off the bar.
The Dons pushed for a late winner, and Clark cut back to Enem from a free kick left of the box, and again Mallon made a smart stop.
The chances to shoot from outside the box kept falling to Enem. This time he hit low towards the near corner, and again Mallon was equal to it.
The push for a winner went right to the end, but it never came and Aberdeen were forced to settle for a point in Tranent.
Full time: Hibernian U18 1-1 Aberdeen U18
Hibernian: Mallon, Whittaker (McNeill 80′), Calder (Downie 51′), Gillie, McGrath, Bruce, Cleland, Buckley, Jimenez (Gallagher 64′), McDonald (McSporran 80′), McMurdo (Davidson 51′)
Substitutes: Vautherin, Davidson, McSporran, McNeill, Gallacher, Downie
Goal: Clelland 2′
Booked: Gillie, McSporran
Aberdeen: Vitols (Douglas 80′), Enem, Ross (Green 80′), Carrol, Henderson, Masson, Mackie, Teasdale (Searle 80′), Stephen, To, McDonnell (Clark 46′)
Substitutes: Douglas, Clark, Green, Searle
Goal: Mackie 79′
Booked: Ross, Masson, To
