Aberdeen eased their way into the Betfred Cup last eight with a comfortable, yet scrappy victory over Hamilton, their second win over the Accies in four days.
It was a grim spectacle at times in terms of quality, but like a car crash on the other side of the motorway, the game had an unexplainable pull that grabbed your attention.
Certainly there were a few bumps and collisions in the middle of the park, with fouls seemingly outnumbering completed passes throughout the evening, but the almost 2000-strong travelling support were rewarded at least with a goal from Kenny McLean which settled the tie in their side’s favour.
It was a fairly uneventful opening to the match, but Hamilton did create a decent chance when Steven Boyd played a reverse ball into the channel for Ali Crawford to chase.
He immediately returned the ball in Boyd’s direction as he thundered through into the area, but Joe Lewis was out quickly to smother, taking a fair old thwack to the head for his troubles.
A poor kick from Hamilton's Gary Woods then presented the ball to Nicky Maynard, who squared for Ryan Christie who looked primed to burst the net. Woods did brilliantly though to get across and atone for his error by blocking behind.
The reprieve was temporary though as Aberdeen moved ahead before the interval.
Scott Wright had been quiet out on the left, but he produced a lovely turn to send Darian MacKinnon out for a pie before squaring for Graeme Shinnie. His shot was blocked, but the ball fell kindly for McLean who fired low under Woods.
Greg Docherty forced a fine save from Lewis at the other end as Accies tried to respond, and they had another chance just after the restart as Boyd played in Bingham, but he took too long allowing Mark Reynolds to get back and block.
The visitors were relatively comfortable in the second half though, with little goalmouth action to speak of until substitutes Miles Storey and Greg Stewart combined for the latter to blaze over from inside the Hamilton area.
The closest Hamilton came to forcing extra time was a fine effort from Gillespie late on that flashed just wide after an enterprising run, but Aberdeen held on comfortably to earn their place in the hat.
HAMILTON: Woods; McMann, Tomas (Donati, 71’), Sarris; Gillespie, Docherty, MacKinnon (Redmond, 67’), Crawford, Imrie; Boyd; Bingham (Longridge, 62’).
Scorers:
Booked: MacKinnon (12’), Tomas (39’)
ABERDEEN: Lewis; Logan, O’Connor, Reynolds, Considine; Shinnie, Tansey; Wright (MacKay-Steven, 67’), McLean, Christie (Stewart, 69’); Maynard (Storey, 71’).
Scorers: McLean (43’)
Booked: O’Connor (86’)
Referee: Nick Walsh
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