Hibernian Development Squad claimed their second piece of silverware this term by defeating Aberdeen 3-1 in Thursday night’s Scottish FA Youth Cup final at Hampden Park, writes Richard Payne.

The Easter Road youngsters had to come from behind to get their hands on the trophy with Connor McLennan’s stunning solo goal giving Aberdeen an early advantage.

Hibernian were only behind for 14 minutes and drew level when the unfortunate Joe MacPherson put through his own net as he attempted to prevent Oli Shaw from getting to Fraser Murray’s delivery.

The match would be settled after the interval with skipper Ryan Porteous leading from the front and powerfully heading his side ahead before Jamie Gullan added the icing to the cake nine minutes later with a third goal to secure victory.

When the two teams met just nine days ago Hibernian wrapped up the SPFL Development League title with a 2-0 victory.

Grant Murray made four changes to that side with Kevin Waugh, Josh Campbell, Innes Murray and Gullan all returning to the starting line-up.

The Easter Road youngsters were quickly on the attack with Callum Donaldson’s inviting delivery from the right finding Shaw’s run in between two Aberdeen defenders, however the prolific striker was unable to guide his header goalward on this occasion.

Hibernian arguably should have taken the lead in the 6th minute when Sean Mackie got in behind Ryan Harrington on the left before crossing to the back post where it was knocked wide by Donaldson when it appeared certain he would score.

It was a fortuitous break for Aberdeen who almost immediately made Hibernian pay for their wastefulness when McLennan broke through only to scuff his effort straight at Maciej Dabrowski who saved comfortably.

In the 15th minute Harrington threaded a terrific ball up to Seb Ross who skipped away from Ryan Porteous before his powerful low shot was saved at the second attempt by Dabrowski.

Aberdeen only had one minute to wait before finding an opener when McLennan gathered the ball wide right before setting off on a sensational run, leaving two Hibernian defenders in his wake, and stabbing the ball beyond Dawbrowski from close range.

Hibernian were desperately unfortunate not to level soon after when Fraser Murray’s rising shot on the angle left Craddock rooted to the spot, only to crash back into play off the upright.

The fingertips of Craddock turned a Donaldson cross-cum-shot over his crossbar as Hibernian pressed hard for an equaliser.

It duly arrived in the 32nd minute however it came from an unlikely source as Aberdeen’s MacPherson turned Fraser Murray’s cross into the net under pressure from Shaw.

The Easter Road youngsters had one final effort as the first half ended in parity when Innes Murray let fly with a snap-shot inside the area however he was unable to guide it in on the turn.

Hibernian were swiftly onto the attack after the interval with Ben Stirling’s angled drive fizzing just wide of the far post with Craddock beaten.

In the 53rd minute Mackie gathered possession deep in the Aberdeen halve and let fly with a powerful drive from distance that flashed wide of goal.

When Aberdeen were awarded a free kick 25-yards from goal soon after, full-back Daniel Harvie stepped forward to curl a fine strike round the defensive wall only to be denied by a good save from Dabrwoski at his near post.

Play raged from end-to-end with Craddock reacting brilliantly to push Stirling’s deflected shot round the post before Dabrowski saved from Frank Ross at the other end.

With just 20 minutes remaining Hibernian edged ahead when Porteous’ bullet header from Stirling’s inch perfect delivery gave Craddock no chance.

Nine minutes later Hibernian made sure of the victory when Shaw’s shot was blocked but fell kindly for Gullan to sweep into the unguarded ne, doubling the lead with the players celebrating in unison with the supporters.

Aberdeen’s best chance to get back into the game came on 84 minutes when Frank Ross weaved his way into the Hibernian penalty box before Dabrowski turned the eventual near post shot away for a corner kick.

In the final minute of normal time Gullan almost added a stunning fourth with curling effort on the angle however on this occasion he was off target.

Dabrowski denied Aberdeen a late consolation as he thwarted Bruce Anderson at his near post before referee Iain Sneddon’s whistle brought the match to a close.

Captain Ryan Porteous claimed the man of the match award before getting his hands on the Scottish FA Youth Cup trophy as Murray’s men secured their second piece of silverware this season.

Aberdeen: Craddock, Harrington, Harvie (Wells 89’), Campbell, MacPherson, Roscoe, McLennan (Virtanen 46’), S. Ross, Anderson, F. Ross, E. Ross (Dangana 73’). Substitutes not used: Mair, Antoniazzi, MacKenzie, Barron.

Hibernian: Dabrowski, Donaldson, Mackie, Porteous, Waugh, Campbell, F. Murray, Stirling, Shaw, I. Murray (Watson 84’), Gullan. Substitutes not used: Martin, O’Connor, Watson, Woods, Paton, Shanley, Gallantes.

Referee: Iain Sneddon.

Attendance: 1,641.

Image: Alan Rennie.