Source: FOOTYMAD
Aberdeen 2 Falkirk 1
Another penalty award sees Aberdeen into the Co-operative Cup Semi-finals Aberdeen had their captain to thank for advancing to the CIS Cup semi-finals, as Paul Hartley dragged a timorous Dons side through against a vibrant and feisty Falkirk. Two of Falkirk’s six SPL wins last season had come against McGhee’s side, and the remnants of last season’s clashes ensured there was little amity between the managers. Both sides had signalled their intent prior to the match, with Aberdeen dismantling Hibs 4-2 and Falkirk going one better against Queen of the South.Mark McGhee’s team opened proceedings as the more vibrant side, but were wasteful in possession and all too often looked as if they were trying to force opportunities rather than fashion them. Darren Mackie and Chris Maguire worked half chances, but there was little to cause Robert Olejnik consternation.Having surrendered the early initiative, Falkirk started to exert their own pressure ten minutes in, and took control of the midfield, particularly when Mark Stewart dropped behind Carl Finnegan. Their high tempo pressing game gave the Aberdeen central pairing of Paul Hartley and Ryan Jack little time on the ball, and The Dons were reliant on the counter attacking threat of Chris Maguire to pose any questions of their own.The Bairns were particularly potent on either flank, as Ryan Flynn and Kallum Higginbotham threatened in possession. The latter’s constant movement from bye-line to box was the source of much of Falkirk’s early endeavours, and Mark Howard was twice called on to cut out inviting centres from the right hand side. Pressley’s side were responsible for almost all of the football being played, with Carl Finnegan and Flynn weaving intricate patterns across the pitch.Aberdeen fleetingly pressed for an opening, and looked every bit as nervous as a side so routinely dismissed by lower league opposition in recent years. Maguire, the fulcrum of what little energy, effort and endeavour the home side did muster, was getting little joy from Falkirk defence or the unforgiving conditions. Only a mis-hit shot from Zander Diamond offered any indicators that McGhee’s men had settled their nerves.Falkirk took a deserved lead in the 33rd minute when Higginbotham’s drilled corner found Mehdi Khalis un-shepherded at the back post, and the towering Frenchman barely needed to adjust his standing position to nod The Bairns in front. Rory McArdle did have some justifiable complaints about the award of the corner, as he appeared to be fouled before its concession, but there could be no denying Falkirk were worthy of their lead.The home side looked stunned, and although Aberdeen saw more of the ball in the remainder of the first half, their play was skittish and tense. The visitors continued to threaten on the counter attack, and Rory McArdle needed to sacrifice a booking to stop Kallum Higginbotham – his former team-mate at Rochdale – causing more consternation. There was a distinctly renewed vigour with which Aberdeen opened the second period, as Paul Hartley and the impressive Ryan Jack started to wrest back control of the midfield. Sone Aluko was seeing more of the ball too; the Nigerian international was denied an equaliser by strong goalkeeping from Olejnik.Aberdeen’s equaliser came in the 64th minute, and was a result of their first piece of quality build-up in the match. Scott Vernon held the ball up on the edge of the box, before rolling it out to Darren Mackie on the right. Mackie clipped the ball back into the centre, where an onrushing Paul Hartley was able to loop his header past a wrong-footed Olejnik.The home fans expected the equaliser to galvanise their side, but again it was the First Division team who looked more focused after their setback. Mark Twaddle managed to get behind the Aberdeen defence, and his low cross was only kept from Carl Finnegan by a timely interception from the Dons’ captain. Ryan Flynn was next to threaten when his deft flick and drag-back bemused Jerel Ifil, only for the resulting shot to be well stopped by Mark Howard. Aberdeen’s most potent, if rather blunt, weapon was the long ball from Howard or Clark Robertson. McGhee conceded this was partly due to Falkirk’s superior ball retention, but conditions will have played a part. It was the Falkirk fans who were feeling their nerves next, as a long clearance from the Aberdeen goalkeeper perplexed Khalis, who allowed the ball to bounce in his penalty area. Olejnik, under pressure from Vernon, attempted to remedy his defender’s error, but fumbled his catch. Fortunately for Steven Pressley, the ball was cleared at the third time of asking.Extra time seemed inevitable, despite late shots from Maguire and Mackie. Falkirk would not be so fortunate a third time. In the fifth minute of injury time Chris Maguire received the ball with his back to goal on the left side of the box. The Falkirk defence appeared to have the danger under control until Khalis’s clumsy challenge knocked the striker to the floor. Mr O’Reilly, the referee, had no hesitation in giving Aberdeen a chance to win the game with the spot kick. Hartley - something of a Patron Saint of Penalties having scored seven already this term - sent the Falkirk goalkeeper the wrong way to send Aberdeen into the semi-final draw, much to the chagrin of his ex-teammate Pressley.Aberdeen (4-4-2): Howard, Ifil, McArdle, Diamond, Robertson, Mackie, Hartley, Jack, Aluko, Maguire, VernonSubs: Langfield, Young, Velicka, Paton, MagennisFalkirk (4-4-2): Olejnik, Marr, McLean, Khalis, Twaddle, Flynn, Millar, O'Brien, Higginbotham, Finnigan, StewartSubs: Barclay, Deuchar, Mitchell, Duffie, AlstonAttendance: 6,710Referee: O'Reilly Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
