Aberdeen moved a step closer to retaining the League Cup by making it into the final four of the competition with a well-earned victory against Hamilton Accies at Pittodrie this evening.
Adam Rooney netted his 12th goal of the season to give Aberdeen a richly deserved win lead at the break.
The high-flying Acciees were never allowed to gain a foothold in the match and the dominant Dons could have won by a much more comfortable margin had it not been for the inspired Michael McGovern in the Hamilton goal.
But it was a hugely impressive display from Derek McInnes’ men who are now unbeaten in seven matches at Pittodrie and have another semi-final to look forward to in the new year.
The Accies ran out 3-0 winners when the sides met at New Douglas Park 13 days ago but they had lost their last eight cup ties against the Dons – their last win coming in the 1934-35 Scottish Cup semi final.
The Hamilton defeat was Aberdeen’s only loss in their previous seven matches but it had prompted a change in goalkeeper for the Dons with Scott Brown replacing Jamie Langfield for Friday’s 1-0 win against Motherwell.
Brown retained his place in goals with top scorer Adam Rooney preferred to David Goodwillie in the only change for Derek McInnes’ side.
Accies, the Scottish Premiership’s surprise leaders thanks to a stunning start to the season, made three changes to the team that lost 2-0 at Dundee with captain Martin Canning, Darian MacKinnon and Louis Longridge replacing Jesus Garcia Tena, Stephen Hendrie and Daniel Redmond.
Aberdeen made an encouraging start with Jonny Hayes, the Dons’ best player against Motherwell, causing problems for the visiting defence down the right flank.
The first chance of the match fell to the hosts but Ash Taylor’s header from Niall McGinn’s out-swinging corner flew over the crossbar.
Only a small band of Accies supporters had made the journey north to cheer on their team but, with the aid of a drum, they certainly made themselves heard.
There was little goalmouth action for them to get excited about in the early stages although Taylor was forced to make one vital interception to stop Mickael Antoine-Curier getting on the end of a MacKinnon cross.
The Dons went close to breaking the deadlock after 20 minutes through a swift counter-attack which culminated in Rooney sending McGinn through on goal but the Northern Irish international was denied by Michael McGovern.
But they were not to be denied five minutes. Grant Gillespie was booked for a crude challenge on Shaleum Logan and from the resulting free kick McGinn curled in a delightful cross which was headed home by Rooney.
Peter Pawlett was denied at close range by McGovern as the Reds immediately pressed for a second before a decent claim for a penalty when McGinn was tripped by Longridge was waved away by referee Bobby Madden.
Pawlett tumbled to ground under pressure from Ziggy Gordon but Madden was again unmoved before McGinn drilled a shot over the bar as the impressive Dons ended the half on top.
The Dons almost made an explosive start to the second half when left back Andrew Considine unleashed an arrowed shot towards the top corner that was magnificently tipped away by McGovern.
Another well-crafted move from the Dons almost produced the vital second goal with McGinn cutting the ball back for Pawlett but again McGovern was equal to the effort.
The Dons were utterly dominant but knew another goal was required to put the game beyond a frustrated Accies side.
The hosts were dealt a setback when Pawlett, who was enjoying a fine game, limped off and was replaced by Cammy Smith in the 65th minute.
Accies reminded the home support that they were still in the match in the 73rd minute when Tony Andreu stormed through the Dons defence but his powerful effort was well stopped by Brown in his first meaningful involvement.
Logan drew another superb stop from McGovern as the Aberdeen pressure continued without the reward their efforts merited.
McGovern’s Aberdeen counterpart Brown was called into action again to claw away another curling effort from Andreu that was destined for the corner of the net.
As expected, the Accies threw all they had at Aberdeen in the closing stages but the resolute Dons held on for a place in the final four of the competition that gave them so much satisfaction last season.
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