Super South Stun Dismal Dons

Yes folks, Saturday proved one thing- never take your author’s predictions on football as gospel. In my previous post on Friday, I tipped Aberdeen to edge through their Scottish Cup semi final with Queen of the South and return to Hampden in May for the final. Well, you’ve guessed it- I was wrong.

But I doubt that even the most seasoned of sports journalists could have predicted what was quite an incredible afternoon at the National Stadium as Queens upset the odds to reach their first ever Scottish Cup final. A remarkable achievement for Gordon Chisholm and his players, but to fans of fellow First Division sides like myself, it didn’t surprise that the Doonhamers ended up victorious.

An absolutely pulsating tie saw the Palmerston side take the lead three times with Aberdeen pegging them back. Former Pittodrie midfielder Steve Tosh broke the deadlock after 22 minutes, before Andrew Considine nodded the Dons level before half time.

But a sensational second period saw five goals fly in in the space of 15 minutes. Paul Burns curled home for Queens before Barry Nicholson netted from 6 yards for Aberdeen. Within a minute, Queens were back in front as Sean O’Conner took advantage of a Considine slip to slot home before the Dons defender atoned for his error by heading his second goal of the game from a Lee Miller flick.

But, on the hour mark, Chisholm’s men scored the winner. Queens captain and long serving player, Jim Thomson, flicked a cross ball across the goal and former Aberdeen player John Stewart, released by Calderwood, rifled home the winner after coming on for the injured Stephen Dobbie.

Though Zander Diamond hit the bar then the post late on, the Reds trudged off the Hampden turf beaten and dejected, giving their supporters yet more amunition to fire at Calderwood, who has found himself under pressure from many within the Red Army ever since he took the hot-seat in 2004.

But Chisholm and his players did the 8,500+ Queens fans proud and will even be assured of a UEFA Cup spot if Rangers defeat St Johnstone in next weekend’s second semi final. A remarkable Scottish Cup season continues, and an outstanding season for Queen of the South will climax in the Scottish game’s showpiece.

And you can guarantee that Chisholm will be crowned as the King of Dumfries if they achieve the unthinkable, and who’s to say they can’t?

Super South indeed.