Calderwood will be raging with his defence

Apr 13 2008 Andy Walker

MAKE no mistake, this was no fluke - the better team won.

In terms of ability, character, attitude, desire and running power, Queen of the South were superior.

If this was an unlikely match-up in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup it certainly didn't affect the football on show.

It was an enthralling contest.

And considering the stakes were so high it's to their credit that Queens were totally unfazed by the occasion.

It was always going to be a test of character early on for Gordon Chisholm's underdogs.

They had reached the last four without meeting SPL opposition and there was a suspicion was that they might be anxious and overawed.

Not a chance. They settled well and looked comfortable in possession.

Aberdeen gaffer Jimmy Calderwood must be bewildered that his players could defend so badly.

Physically they couldn't cope with Sean O'Connor. On the deck Stephen Dobbie was excellent receiving the ball with his back to goal in the short time he was on the pitch.

And when he went off the Dons couldn't deal with the pace of sub John Stewart.

In all honesty it should have been a mismatch.

Aberdeen were playing in their 32nd semi-final whereas Chisholm's team were only in their second. It didn't show at any time.

It looked as though the pressure of the occasion was too much for some of the Aberdeen players.

Twice against Celtic in the previous round keeper Derek Soutar was outstanding.

But it was his mistake that led to the opening goal. Instead of punching clear he tried to take a difficult ball cleanly but spilled it.

Thankfully referee Kenny Clark allowed for none of the usual protection for keepers when they're challenged in the air.

He was right to wave play on and Steve Tosh enjoyed a bit of luck when his controlled sidefoot effort ended up in the back of the net.

At this point Aberdeen were a defensive shambles, apparently unaware of any threat the First Division outfit had.

Andrew Considine's equaliser should have kick-started a period where the Dons started to gain control.

But whatever Calderwood said at half-time it had no effect on his players.

Stewart's pace was too much for a sluggish Zander Diamond.

But when the temptation must have been to have a shot himself the former Pittodrie man showed great composure in squaring for Paul Burns to score Queens' second.

It would have been understandable if the Dumfries men had been demoralised when Barry Nicholson quickly equalised for the second time - but they were stronger than that.

Every setback was met head on.

O'Connor waltzed between Considine and Diamond to finish sweetly with his left foot before Considine levelled for a third time.

Surely now the underdogs' heads would drop?

Not a bit of it.

Stewart's powerful controlled finish at the back post when three Aberdeen players were drawn to the ball was more proof that honest, hard-working professionals can have their day in the sun.

Queens were relieved when Diamond's header came off the bar and his follow-up volley hit the post.

And that was a sign with 20 minutes to go that it just wasn't going to be Dons' day.

Just when they needed bravery to pass the ball with accuracy they were giving it away with alarming regularity. Winners of a semi-final have to have one or two outstanding performers and Jim Thomson and Tosh were magnificent.

Thomson's challenge on Sone Aluko when the Aberdeen star charged into the box late on was timed to perfection.

Experienced whistler Clark got a big decision correct when the majority of the crowd were screaming for a penalty.

Tosh has been embarrassed recently off the park but on it he gave Chisholm the composure and passing ability that Aberdeen lacked.

He was the top man for me. A word too for Robert Harris.

His last minute clearance from a corner at the back post was wonderful.

Moments like that influence the outcome of big games and every Queen of the South player should be proud of themselves this morning.

When the pressure was on they stood up to the challenge and deserved everything they got.

For Aberdeen, what a roller coaster it has been for their supporters this season.

The high of drawing with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup to the low of losing heavily to Dundee United in the last four of the CIS Cup.

Then there was the unbelievable defensive performance against Celtic in the quarter-final to get them through to this stage.,

But not for the first time the players couldn't handle the pressure.

They have blown the chance of European football next season.

And on the back of last term's embarrassing defeat to Queen's Park in the CIS Cup, they again have to concede that the lower league team deserved their victory.