Aberdeen 4-2 Hamilton: Ryan Edmondson scores twice as Dons go third

Derek McInnes urged focus from his Aberdeen side for league and Scottish Cup meetings with Celtic after they overcame Hamilton Academical.

Four goals in 17 first-half minutes from Tommie Hoban, Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Edmondson helped the Dons go third in the Scottish Premiership.

Edmondson's double was followed by David Moyo's strike and Ross Callachan's penalty for Accies.

"We need to make sure that we're as ready as we can be," said McInnes.

"We're three points behind Celtic now and we want to make sure we take the opportunity of being at home and trying to win that game."

After Sunday's contest at Pittodrie, Aberdeen meet Celtic in the rearranged Scottish Cup semi-final from the 2019-20 campaign.

• Reaction & as it happened

Hamilton, who remain bottom, below St Mirren on goal difference and a point off Motherwell, were settling into the game at Pittodrie just at the point they lost a soft opener.

Ryan Hedges' corner from the right found the unchallenged run of Hoban and the defender only had to make contact to beat Ryan Fulton.

That got the hosts in the mood and Edmondson squared for Hedges, who dummied to Ferguson and the midfielder unleashed a shot from 30 yards that flew into the left-hand corner.

Hamilton's woes deepened when Marley Watkins and Jonny Hayes combined to tee up Edmondson to tuck home and the 19-year-old soon doubled his tally.

Scott Wright charged down Hakeem Odoffin's tame clearance and Edmondson collected the loose ball before bustling his way through the defence to finish.

But Hamilton were able to stem the tide and it was Aberdeen's turn to get caught napping when Callachan crossed for Moyo to sneak in behind Ash Taylor and beat Joe Lewis.

Andrew Considine had made an important intervention to clear Callachan's dangerous low ball just before the break, but the defender's night turned sour when his elbow connected with Lee Hodson's cross and Nick Walsh pointed to the spot. Lewis got a hand to Callachan's penalty but could not keep it out.

It mattered little in terms of the result but Accies' attacking prowess showed they can trouble the league's top sides and emphasised their need to tighten up defensively.

Man of the match - Ryan Edmondson

Edmondson linked well with Aberdeen's attacking players and got his reward with a double

What did we learn?

Aberdeen got the frustration of Saturday's goalless draw with Dundee United well and truly out of their system during their goal-laden opening.

Having such a commanding lead halved and injuries to Hayes and Edmondson were the only downsides for manager McInnes.

Hamilton's problems continue to mount. The sight of captain Brian Easton among the substitutes suggested he may be back soon, but head coach Brian Rice told BBC Scotland pre-match the defender is "miles away" from a return.

Playmaker David Templeton faces a lengthy spell out and Accies cannot get the likes of Lewis Smith back quickly enough as they bid to turn their form around.

What did they say?

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "Very pleased, first-half performance in particular was terrific. It was a good array of goals. We got a penalty box goal, a set-play goal, a shot from distance - everything that wasn't there on Saturday.

"We got a set-play goal, which pleased me because we've not had enough of them this season. Edmondson getting two goals, for a young boy leading the line, I thought he was terrific and Ferguson - what a goal."

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "For 20 minutes, we went through a crazy spell, found ourselves completely out the game and then, it's hard to explain, we come right into it, get ourselves two goals and second half we pushed them all the way.

"That was two completely different teams out there for me. A couple of the Aberdeen goals, we could've done better. Second half was probably the best we've played this season. But it's after the horse has bolted."

What's next?

Hamilton visit St Mirren on Saturday and Aberdeen host Celtic the following day.

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