Hibs hit Aberdeen for six as Ethan Laidlaw scores twice in enthralling under-18s clash

Hibs under-18s went one better than last week’s 5-0 Edinburgh derby victory over Hearts by putting six past Aberdeen at the Hibernian Training Centre on Friday night.

Gareth Evans was able to name the same starting line-up and two of last week’s goalscorers, Ethan Laidlaw and Jacob MacIntyre, were on the scoresheet again along with Dean Cleland, Reuben McAllister, and Rudi Molotnikov, with Alfie Bavidge and Alfie Stewart on target for the visitors.

The Dons have been in impressive form this season, beating Rangers last week and scoring six against Hamilton, seven against Dundee United, and nine against St Mirren but although they started well at East Mains, Hibs were slick and relentless and fully deserving of their convincing win.

Laidlaw had the first sight of goal for Hibs but his free kick from the left side didn’t trouble Blessing Oluyemi in the Aberdeen goal. At the other end, Freddie Owens had to be alert to prevent Barry Robson’s side from opening the scoring.

Ethan Laidlaw in action for Hibs under-18s against Aberdeen. The striker scored twice in a 6-2 win. Picture: Maurice Dougan

When Hibs did take the lead on 16 minutes, there was a degree of fortune about the chance but not about the quality of the strike. Oluyemi punched a McAllister corner to the edge of the box where MacIntyre was lurking and the midfielder hit a first-time volley into the back of the net.

Bavidge created an opening for the Dons as they sought a leveller when he won the ball back on the edge of the Hibs penalty area but although his strike was powerful it lacked accuracy and skidded just wide of the post.

Former Hutchison Vale centre-back Blair McKenzie had an early sight of goal for Aberdeen but played an unfortunate role in Hibs’ second, slipping on the frosty pitch as he attempted to control a pass and allowing Cleland a clear run on goal. With Oluyemi racing out to narrow the angle the 15-year-old managed to slot past the ‘keeper to double Hibs’ advantage.

Two minutes later Hibs made it three, Laidlaw doing well on the left flank before rolling it to McAllister on the edge of the box. Oluyemi got a hand to the midfielder’s effort but couldn’t prevent it from spinning into the bottom corner.

Lewis Pirie and Adam Emslie combined well in the final third with Owens saving the latter’s shot but there was further misery for the visitors shortly after the half-hour mark when Molotnikov netted Hibs’ fourth, an audacious back-heel flick at the near post from McAllister’s corner.

The Dons did get one back shortly before the interval through Stewart, and Bavidge nearly grabbed another shortly after the restart but his effort rebounded off the post and into the arms of the grateful Owens.

Laidlaw got his first and Hibs’ fifth when he steered a low effort past Oluyemi on 58 minutes but Aberdeen responded through Bavidge, who met a Stewart corner and forced an effort into the back of the net. The Dons then had a chance from the penalty spot after Adam Khan was adjudged to have fouled Findlay Marshall but Bavidge skied his effort from 12 yards. Laidlaw then restored Hibs’ four-goal cushion with a sweetly-struck effort from the edge of the area that crept in at Oluyemi’s left-hand post.

Hibs: Owens, Whittaker, Khan, Hastie, Waugh, J MacIntyre (Geany), McGarva, McAllister, Molotnikov (Landers), Laidlaw, Cleland. Subs not used: Samuels, Bulloch, Innes, Gardiner, Craig, Holden