HT Aberdeen 2 - 0 Ross County
Aberdeen started the second half on top with the lion's share of possession. Rooney was unlucky when he produced a neat turn on the edge of the area but the ball just ran away from him. Shay Logan then had an effort from inside the box after a sweeping move. McLean found the right back with a deep cross and the right back did very well to create an opening but his low shot was saved by Fox. It was not all one-way traffic, just before than County had a free kick in a dangerous area. A well worked move saw Davies head the ball back into the six-yard box but Niall McGinn of all people was well position to clear the danger. Then the vistors had a corner which Aberdeen failed three times to clear. Eventually when they did they broke at pace but McGinn just failed to pick out the run of Rooney. On the hour mark Logan played in McGinn who tried to find Rooney with a through ball but his pass was just over hit. The Dons then put a good move together and the ball fell to McGinn at the back post. His initial shot from inside the six yard box was saved and then when he went for the rebound he appeared to be tripped but nothing was given. The move was kept alive but Hayes fired wide. Then again on the break Hayes found McGinn but his shot was saved by Fox who had his angles spot on. The County keeper had a fine game today. On 67 minutes Aberdeen made the game safe. A good little move saw Shinnie play the ball to Logan and his clever cut back found McGinn. Niall took one touch before placing the ball beyond Fox. A really neat finish. Derek McInnes brought on Peter Pawlett and Jayden Stockley for Adam Rooney and Niall McGinn. Being 3-0 ahead, the manager embraced his chance to rest key players ahead of next week's Hampden showdown with Greenock Morton. With County now beaten, Aberdeen looking for more goals and the Dons went on the offensive. On 78 minutes another fast paced move saw Jonny Hayes hold the ball up for Jayden Stockley who took the ball to the left winger and fired the ball across goal to make it 4-0. Another very good finish. The final stages of the game were played at a good tempo. You could tell just how refreshed the team was after the international break. One final chance in the last minute, Stockley rose well to head against the bar and before Considine fired just wide. Having scored eight goals in the last couple of games - the first time that has happened since 1992 - and winning 5 games on the bounce Aberdeen can go to Hampden next week full of confidence.