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Shock defeat for dons in semi-final
15th April 2008
SHOCK DEFEAT FOR DONS IN SEMI-FINAL
For the neutrals Saturday?s semi-final between Aberdeen and Queen of the South had everything. Seven goals, jubilation, desperation, an underdog victorious, a favourite humbled. Few would have predicted a 4-3 win for Gordon Chisholm?s Queen of the South before the match. Aberdeen came back three times from behind but John Stewart?s goal after 60 minutes was enough to finally see off the Dons.
If this was a great match for the neutrals, it would have been a very bitter pill to swallow for the 14,000 Aberdeen supporters who made the trip down to Hampden to back their team.
It was never going to be an easy match for the Dons but you would have expected the SPL side?s class to shine through in the end against a team that only went full-time at the start of this season.
The Dons were below par but if Zander Diamond had scored instead of seeing two consecutive efforts come back off the woodwork it could have been Aberdeen preparing for the final on May 24. Instead the Dons now have five games left in the season before a summer where Jimmy Calderwood is expected to have a complete overhaul of the current squad.
This could have been Aberdeen?s best chance of winning a trophy since they won the Coca Cola Cup back in 1996. The trophy drought continues at Pittodrie for another season at least.
But take nothing away from Queen of the South. They combined some clinical finishing with dogged defending in reaching the first Scottish Cup final in their history. If Rangers reach the final by defeating St Johnstone next week then the Doonhamers will bring European football to Palmerston next season. Not bad for a team most famous for being the only league club in the whole of the UK to get a mention in the Bible.
GREAT WEEK FOR RANGERS
Not many clubs can say they progressed to two semi-finals this week but that is exactly what Walter Smith?s men did. Their defensive, counter-attacking approach has been well-suited to European football and this was highlighted again when they went to Lisbon midweek and defeated Sporting 2-0 to reach the last four of the UEFA Cup.
It may not be the most pleasing on the eye but it is an effective brand of football that Rangers possess. With Cuellar, Weir and McGregor in inspiring form, the Ibrox club has a rearguard that rarely looks like conceding.
There were more than a few pundits expecting Partick Thistle to cause an upset over a tired Rangers side on Sunday in the Scottish Cup quarter-final but once again Walter Smith?s men showed their strength by progressing to the next round with another clean sheet.
LOCAL GOLFERS DOING NORTH-EAST GOLF PROUD
Robert Gordon University student Laura Murray qualified for the Ladies English Open at The Oxfordshire after winning the Royal and Ancient Foundation Bursars? Tournament at St Andrews earlier this month.
The 19-year-old was awarded an amateur place for the professional event after finishing three-under-par at St Andrews. The Aboyne member said afterwards: ?Playing in the English Ladies Open will be great because I will have the opportunity to judge myself against the professionals. There will be a lot of press coverage for the event and it is usually televised so that will be very exciting.?
Hazlehead?s David Law was also flying the flag for the North-east this week as he reached the last four of the Scottish Boys? Championship in Southerness. He was defeated in the semi-final stage by the eventual winner Michael Stewart.
TALKING A GOOD GAME
Gordon Strachan eased the pressure on himself by guiding his side to a 4-1 victory over Motherwell. Here are a few of the Celtic manager?s best quotes over the years.
Reporter: This might sound like a daft question, but you'll be happy to get your first win under your belt, won't you?
Strachan: You're right. It is a daft question. I'm not even going to bother answering that one. It is a daft question, you're spot on there.
Reporter: Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it?
Strachan: No, I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home, become an alcoholic and maybe jump off a bridge. Umm, I think I can take it, yeah.
Reporter: You don't take losing lightly, do you Gordon?
Strachan: I don't take stupid comments lightly either.
Reporter: So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were better than you today?
Strachan: What areas? Mainly that big green one out there...
Reporter: Gordon, Do you think James Beattie deserves to be in the England squad?
Strachan: I don't care, I'm Scottish.
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