Kai Watson: Scottish Cup Semi-Final Line-Ups Decided after Thrilling Weekend
The Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals started on Friday evening as Dundee United travelled to the Falkirk Stadium to take on John McGlynn’s high-flying Falkirk.
The home side were the team in form in this one and in the league are nine points ahead of their opponents.
Falkirk had a quick start in this one and only took 10 minutes to go in front. Some good work down the left involving Leon McCann ended up at Brad Spencer whose left-footed shot was saved by Ashley Maynard-Brewer but Barney Stewart was on hand with brilliant reactions to head it in.
Then just 10 minutes later it was 2-0, some more great work from Leon McCann on the left as his brilliant cross was met by an equally brilliant run from Finn Yeats who powered a header past Maynard-Brewer.
Falkirk were in complete control but substitute Julius Eskesen gave Dundee United hope when he scored in first half injury time and as much as they improved in the second half it wasn’t enough and the game ended 2-1 to the home side.
Then it was on to Saturday as Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline hosted Aberdeen at East End Park. It only took 15 minutes for the home side to go into the lead. A Robbie Fraser cross was flicked by an Aberdeen defender to Matty Todd at the backpost who controlled it well before firing high past Mitov. Less than ten minutes later it was 2-0 and the shockwaves were sent through Scotland.
More good work from Robbie Fraser as he cut inside and slid a lovely through ball on his weak foot through to Olly Thomas who showed good composure to score. Dunfermline made it 3-0 and killed the tie on the hour mark as Chris Kane played Thomas through again and he used his pace to drive towards Mitov and it was a lovely finish off the far post to seal the win.
A really disappointing defeat for Aberdeen but a well-deserved victory for the Pars!
The first game on Sunday was the second Old Firm in a row at Ibrox, could it be a cracker like the last one? Well, the short answer is no.
The reality is that the atmosphere was great, for the most part, it was intense and both teams worked hard but there was very little quality on show. 34 minutes in, Daizen Maeda had a header disallowed for offside, perhaps quite contentiously.
Rangers had the majority of the ball and pressure but there were few clear-cut chances and it finished 0-0 in 90 minutes. Fernandez had a goal disallowed for a clear handball in extra-time but the sides still couldn’t be separated and it went to penalties.
The shoot-out started badly for Rangers as captain James Tavernier missed, Bajrami and Naderi scored but Gassama missed and Celtic scored all four to win the shoot-out 4-2!
The last game was Sunday evening as Partick Thistle travelled to Paisley to take on the League Cup winners. In what was a tight game, St. Mirren were awarded a penalty they really shouldn’t have, in my opinion. Crawford was incredibly unlucky when the ball deflected off his foot and onto his hand.
Dan Nlundulu converted and he had a hand in making it 2-0 in first-half injury time. Partick turned the ball over due to good pressing from Phillips, Nlundulu drove forward and slipped a nicely weighted ball through to Jake Young who smashed it near post to make it two goals in two games.
Mark Wilson’s side got back into the game through a brilliant volley from the edge of the box by Ben Stanway. They were the better side in the second half but just couldn’t find the equalising goal and Stephen Robinson’s side progressed.
What an exciting weekend and here’s your Scottish Cup Semi-Final draw;
- Celtic vs St. Mirren
- Dunfermline vs Falkirk
They should both be crackers! Who’s your favourite to win the trophy now?
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