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matches

Aberdeen 0 - 3 Heart of Midlothian

HT Score: Aberdeen 0 - 3 Heart of Midlothian

SPL Under 21
Heart of Midlothian scorers: Dunn 6, Simmons 13, Boyack 25

11/08/2003 | KO: 19:00

Early Goal Blitz Sinks Dons

Aberdeen made a bad start to the U21 campaign this evening as poor defending saw them 3-0 down in the opening 25 minutes. Goals from Dunn, Simmons and Weir left the youngsters with an uphill battle. Although they certainly steadied the ship and carved out a few chances of their own in the second period, they found Gordon in good form in the Hearts goal.

Aberdeen had the bulk of the early possession but it was Hearts who took the lead in six minutes. The Dons showed poor concentration as Hearts took a short corner. By the time the defence realised what was happening, a cross had been swung in deep and a nod back from Kisnorbo was buried by Dunn. The visitors increased their lead in the 13th minute and once more the Dons were unable to cope with a corner kick.

The corner had been conceded when Hutton made a fine save turning a Kirk shot round the post. Boyack's delivery found Simmons making a late run to the near post where he made no mistake in sending a bullet header past Hutton. Hearts were in control now and although the Dons pressed for a goal it was the visitors who added a third in the 25th minute when a Boyack cut back was drilled past Hutton by Weir.

Hutton was called into action again in the 38th minute when he made a wonderful save from a Simmons screamer. Aberdeen ended the half strongly and twice Muirhead was denied by Gordon in the Hearts goal. In the 40th minute the keeper was at full stretch to turn a free kick wide and in the 45th minute the keeper was again down quickly to block a low drive. Seconds later Eric Deloumeaux looked set to open the Dons account from 3 yards out, but Simmons made a last ditch block to deny the Frenchman.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Aberdeen pressing to get back into the match and Hearts looking dangerous going forward. Muirhead was causing the biggest problems for the Hearts defence with probing runs and a positive attitude in front of goal. Morrison tested Gordon again in the 67th minute with a long-range effort, but once again the keeper showed good hands. A few minutes later Muirhead had another crack at goal from a free kick, but this effort failed to test the keeper. Tarditi replaced Foster in the 69th minute.

Morrison had taken confidence from his earlier attempt and tried again in the 75th minute. This effort went inches wide of the target with Gordon struggling to reach the ball. Two minutes later Muirhead was released, but he hit his shot high over the bar when he should have tested the keeper. Despite an improved second half performance the damage had been done in the opening 25 minutes and Hearts ran out deserved winners.

Aberdeen Teamsheet
Hutton, McCulloch, Morrison, Souter, Diamond, Deloumeaux, Clark, Tiernan, Stewart, Foster (Tarditi 69), Muirhead.

Unused Subs: Payne, Jones, Higgins.

Bookings:  McCulloch (84).
Heart of Midlothian Teamsheet
Gordon, Neilson, McMullan, Dunn, Kisnorbo, Janczyk, Boyack (MacFarlane 46), Simmons (McGeown 79), Kirk (McKenna 46), Weir, Hamill.

Bookings:  Janczyk 36,   McMullan 57
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: William Gilfillan