2009: Aberdeen 0 Dunfermline 0

Memorable Match #23
The Homecoming Scottish Cup
Quarter Final Replay
Wednesday 17th March 2009

Aberdeen were drawn away to Dunfermline in the Quarter Final of the 2008-2009 Scottish Cup and had earned their place there by winning 2-1 at Alloa and demolishing East Fife 5-0 in the last 16.  Dunfermline had progressed after disposing of Clyde at East End Park and Airdrie United away.

The return of the two Jimmies - Calderwood and Nicholl - to East End Park with their Aberdeen team added extra spice to the Homecoming Scottish Cup Quarter Final tie. Sone Aluko shot the Dons into a 61st minute lead which looked like it would be enough to see the SPL side into the semi final but seven minutes from time Jamie Langfield failed to hold a Jamie Mole effort and Andy Kirk led the charge to net the loose ball but it was Nick Phinn who got the vital touch.

The draw meant that a replay would be necessary a week on Wednesday later and by then it was known it was Falkirk who were awaiting the winners in the semi final.

A family bereavement meant Jim McIntyre was without Greg Shields for the replay at Pittodrie. Scott Thomson came into the side to play against the club he supported as a youngster. Aberdeen made two changes Richard Foster and Chris Maguire taking the places of Derek Young and Tommy Wright.

Several hundred Pars fans had negotiated the A90 traffic cameras and the horrendous traffic congestion in the Granite City to greet their team as they emerged from the tunnel opposite. It was a calm, almost balmy evening, given this was the far north - perfect for football.

The Pars kicked off attacking the goal at the beach end but the first chance in just under two minutes came at the other.  Calum Woods blocked Sone Aluko`s first run but the rebound was sent wide left for the young Englishman to run on to. His cross found Darren Mackie right in front of goal but Thomson`s presence put the striker off and he sent the ball wide. Next Paul Gallacher had to tip Mark Kerr`s header over the crossbar.  Scott Severin`s shot in ninth minute produced a second corner but the Pars dealt with Mulgrew`s delivery.

Dunfermline looked to have cooled the initial Dons heat and were beginning to get their own game together. Phinn created more danger in the Dons box but could not find Bayne with the cut back. Alex Burke lost the race to pounce on the loose ball and then Jamie Langfield had to hold a header from close in after Bell knocked down a Burke cross.

Dunfermline enjoyed a period of sustained pressure before just ten minutes from the break Diamond headed a Charlie Mulgrew free kick well wide left. The Dons tried to push the Pars back but really Macca`s men were now dealing well with everything the SPL club tried.

Mackie was offside with the home side`s last effort before half time, by the now the Pars support was double what they had at kick off and it was sweet to hear the home crowd booing their side off.

Half Time: Aberdeen 0 Dunfermline 0

The Pars had an opportunity in 48 minutes when the ball came to Bayne in the box but he just could not get a decent shot in.  Then a Thomson free kick was touched on by Bell to Bayne but again the striker just couldn`t take the half chance. Dunfermline had settled in well and the Aberdeen support had fallen very quiet.

Mole made Langfield save in 65 with a forceful shot at an angle and then just minutes later Woods made Langfield save a low driven shot from outside the box. Bell tried a shot in 71 minutes that came off Mulgrew and then Bayne headed a McCann cross wide of Langfield`s goal.

A Wilson challenge on Mackie handed the Dons a chance to hit a 28 yard free kick but the wall did its job and next Steven Bell kicked a Considine header off the line.

In the final seconds of the two added minutes Aluko had a glorious chance to finish it but his shot from the left was cleared off the line by Scott Wilson and gathered by Gallacher. So it was on to extra time.

Aberdeen looked the more likely to score in extra time. In the second minute of the second period Jamie Smith got the better of Woods down the left and his cross was met by sub Tommy Wright but fortunately straight into the hands of Gallacher.

Aberdeen piled on the pressure and pinned the Pars back but the 120 minutes ended without the ball finding the net and the tie was to be decided on penalties.

Full Time after extra time: Aberdeen 0 Dunfermline 0

Penalties were taken at the beach end
1 Stuart Duff right footed in off right post (1-0)
2 Stephen Glass left footed into right of net (1-1)
3 Scott Severin right footed, saved by Gallacher going to his right (1-1)
4 Calum Woods scored (1-2)
5 Frank Mulgrew smashed in left (2-2)
6 Alex Burke right hand side (2-3)
7 Richard Foster to left saved by Paul Gallacher (2-3)
8 Graham Bayne scored (2-4)

As soon as Bayne drilled the ball into the bottom right the celebrations began.  The Pars players and management ran over to celebrate in front of their delirious fans. What an achievement for a First Division team to reach the Homecoming Scottish Cup semi final. It would be the Pars fourth Hampden semi of the 2000s but they would lose this one to rivals Falkirk.

ABERDEEN: Jamie Langfield; Zander Diamond, Lee Mair (Andrew Considine 68), Charlie Mulgrew; Sone Aluko (Tommy Wright 106), Scott Severin, Richard Foster, Mark Kerr, Jamie Smith, Chris Maguire (Stuart Duff 73), Darren Mackie.
SUBS: Bertrand Bossu, Derek Young.
YELLOW CARD: Foster (99)

DUNFERMLINE: Paul Gallacher, Calum Woods, Scott Thomson, Scott Wilson (c), Austin McCann; Steven Bell (Greg Ross 115), Stephen Glass, Nick Phinn (Scott Muirhead 80), Alex Burke: Jamie Mole (Rory Loy 80), Graham Bayne.
SUBS: Paul Willis, Greg Paterson (GK).

REFEREE: Eddie Smith
WEATHER: Fine 9C
ATTENDANCE: 13567

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