Formartine United 0-2 Cove Rangers: Cove clinch Highland Leagues
AFTER 10 months and 33 games, it all came down to this.Formartine and Cove slogging it out in torrential rain for the Highland League title in the final game of the season.
The away side needed a win of any sort to snatch the title away from their opponents, whilst any other result would have culminated in the eternally-ambitious and high-spending Formartine lifting the Highland League trophy for the first team since their inception on the scene four years ago.
This was the host’s second attempt at becoming champions, with last week’s disastrous home defeat to Nairn County ensuring that the destination of the title would be determined on the final day.
Losing this one and ultimately, their grip on the championship? It would have been almost unthinkable.
But within 10 minutes of the first whistle, United’s nightmare scenario began its disfigurement into reality.
A searching ball down the right found Connor Scully, with the cross towards the back post picking out Jamie Beagrie, and his perfectly-weighted header was enough to loop over Andy Shearer and drop into the opposite corner of the net. Cove had delivered the first body blow on judgement day, as the home end of North Lodge Park fell deathly silent.
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Celtic 4-3 Dundee United (aet): Tactical Analysis
THE stage was set for a stinker. The two teams had shared eight goals the last time they had met. Hibernian and Falkirk had served up a thriller the day before. The kiss of death had been given with the question asked “When was the last dour Scottish Cup semi-final?”
That was it surely set in stone. A defensive Dundee United trying to ensure they didn't concede as frequently as they had on their last trip to Glasgow. A Celtic committed to making no mistakes, getting their noses in front early then doing the professional job of ensuring this wasn't another Hampden nightmare for boss Neil Lennon.
How wrong that proved to be, as Celtic and United served up a thriller to match the goal-fest from 24 hours earlier. The semi-finals served up 14 goals between them. You know, our game has its critics, but it'll always give you drama, and the Scottish Cup always does us proud.
That was it surely set in stone. A defensive Dundee United trying to ensure they didn't concede as frequently as they had on their last trip to Glasgow. A Celtic committed to making no mistakes, getting their noses in front early then doing the professional job of ensuring this wasn't another Hampden nightmare for boss Neil Lennon.
How wrong that proved to be, as Celtic and United served up a thriller to match the goal-fest from 24 hours earlier. The semi-finals served up 14 goals between them. You know, our game has its critics, but it'll always give you drama, and the Scottish Cup always does us proud.
Dundee United got the boost they needed last week against Aberdeen when a second half full of drive and some outrageous skill, orchestrated by Gary Mackay-Steven, Willo Flood and Ryan Gauld, sealed a late win and a place in the top six.
Jackie McNamara had hoped to add Johnny Russell to the frontline, but without him the Arabs still had an exciting team in Tangerine.
Jon Daly went into the game having not been as lethal in front of goal recently as we're used to. There was talk of him moving to defence for this one, but McNamara went with his experienced man up front, with the dog work behind him given to Gauld, Flood and Mackay-Steven, with the latter this time on the right hand side as opposed to the left like last week.
James Forrest was the only real surprise in the Celtic line-up as Neil Lennon hoped for better luck than previous Hampden encounters.
Jackie McNamara had hoped to add Johnny Russell to the frontline, but without him the Arabs still had an exciting team in Tangerine.
Jon Daly went into the game having not been as lethal in front of goal recently as we're used to. There was talk of him moving to defence for this one, but McNamara went with his experienced man up front, with the dog work behind him given to Gauld, Flood and Mackay-Steven, with the latter this time on the right hand side as opposed to the left like last week.
James Forrest was the only real surprise in the Celtic line-up as Neil Lennon hoped for better luck than previous Hampden encounters.
Hibernian 4-3 Falkirk (aet): Tactical Analysis
HIBERNIAN reached their second Scottish Cup final in as many years following a Saturday Hampden classic after coming from 3-0 down to defeat Falkirk.
On paper it looked like men amongst boys but Falkirk gave a performance above their years but they did not have enough to go the distance and were beaten in extra time.
On paper it looked like men amongst boys but Falkirk gave a performance above their years but they did not have enough to go the distance and were beaten in extra time.
How they lined up:
Hibernian started the game in a 4-3-3 formation and possibly looked to rectify their poor starts when they have played at Hampden. Falkirk opted to play a 4-5-1 to try and hold out in the first ten minutes with Lyle Taylor the lone striker and Blair Alston providing support. Leigh Griffiths was the focal point of the Hibs attack and they surged forward to overwhelm Falkirk and try and get an early goal.
Early pressure
Hibs put Falkirk under intense pressure early on but it was the Bairns who took the lead. Alston found Taylor who passed across the box to find Craig Sibbald charging towards the ball to coolly pass the ball into the bottom right hand corner. It was a cool and level-headed finish from the 17 year-old.
Celtic 4-3 Dundee United (aet): Player Ratings
IT was yet another William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final cracker, as Celtic were pushed all the way in a 4-3 thriller.
The Hoops had gone in front after just 90 seconds through Kris Commons, but Gary Mackay-Steven and Jon Daly briefly turned the game United's way before Victor Wanyama headed Celtic level.
With five defeats in their last nine Hampden encounters, Celtic were rattled and even after Commons restored the lead back came United Jon Daly's header sending the game into extra-time.
Substitute Anthony Stokes got the winner after both Mikael Lustig and Jon Daly had hit the post at either end, and they book their place in the final against Hibernian at the end of May.
Danny Collins was at Hampden, and gave his verdict on both sets of players.
Hibernian 4-3 Falkirk (aet): Player Ratings
Hibs powered back from 3-0 down to net a second Scottish Cup final place in a row.
They become the first team to make back to back finals since Rangers in 2008 and 2009, but it was a feat that looked beyond them after 30 minutes.
First division side Falkirk looked to have one foot in their first cup final in four years, but after half-time the game was turned on its head, and 3-0 turned int a 4-3 win after extra-time.
Michael Temlett was at Hampden, and ran the rule over both sides, in one of the most memorable cup semi-finals in years.
Best Hibs semi-final in their history? Photo by Matthew Harold
Hibernian player ratings:
Ben Williams (GK): 6 – Not much the ‘keeper could have done for the goals. Defence caused all the problems for him first half and he had a quiet second period.
Tim Clancy: 4 – Not one to remember for the right-back. Struggled to keep up with Alston and Grant running at him throughout the game.
Ryan McGivern: 5 – The one player in the Hibees back line that tried to go forward and support the midfield. Sloppy at times, however.
Queen of the South defeat Partick Thistle in Ramsdens Cup shoot-out
QUEEN of the South captured a historic double after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Partick Thistle.
After a goal-less 90 minutes Nicky Clark's extra-time header looked to have won the cup for the Doonhamers.
In a frantic finish Aaron Muirhead missed a penalty for Thistle before being sent-off for a headbutt in the aftermath.
Then Kris Doolan scored with the last kick of the ball to take the game to penalties, where Queen's held their nerve to win their second trophy in the space of a few weeks.
“We’ve got a lot of talented players, it was hard to pick out individuals today," said a delighted Allan Johnston. "You seen the work rate of the whole team, that’s what we’ve been about all season.
"That’s against a top Partick Thistle team who are running away with the first division as well so it just shows you how good the lads have been playing.
“I think the game had everything. Penalties, sending off, that penalty shout at the end. Hopefully it’s a good advert for Scottish football cause both teams had a go. It could have went either way.”
“I think the game had everything. Penalties, sending off, that penalty shout at the end. Hopefully it’s a good advert for Scottish football cause both teams had a go. It could have went either way.”
Scotland U21s 3-0 Luxembourg U21s: Player ratings
SCOTLAND under 21s kicked off their Euro 2015 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Luxembourg.
Jamie Walker's volleyed Scotland in front on the stroke of half-time.
Tony Watt drilled home an indirect free-kick after Luxembourg goalkeeper Steve Pfeiffer picked up a back pass, before Lewis Toshney made it three.
Tony Watt drilled home an indirect free-kick after Luxembourg goalkeeper Steve Pfeiffer picked up a back pass, before Lewis Toshney made it three.
Player ratings
Jordan Archer - Was rarely troubled, despite a blip in the opening stages of the game which saw him well outside his box, he dealt comfortably with the seldom efforts that came his way. 6
Ryan Jack - Suffered a knock early on, but shook it off and gave McGeouch constant support up the right channel, linking up well with the Celtic man. 7
Ryan Jack - Suffered a knock early on, but shook it off and gave McGeouch constant support up the right channel, linking up well with the Celtic man. 7
Scotland U21s 3-0 Luxembourg U21s: Billy Stark's men off to winning start
SCOTLAND under 21s kicked off their Euro 2015 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Luxembourg. Jamie Walker's volleyed Scotland in front on the stroke of half-time.
Tony Watt drilled home an indirect free-kick after Luxembourg goalkeeper Steve Pfeiffer picked up a back pass, before Lewis Toshney made it three.
It was the visitors who posed the earlier threat however and could’ve caused damage when Laterza zipped in a cross along the ground from the right hand side. His cross was narrowly missed by his team-mates.
It was evident how manager Billy Stark wanted his side to play football as the young Scots began to take control of possession, keeping a hold of the ball brilliantly for several minutes.
Their efforts were nearly paid off twenty minutes in when Walker set up Fyvie who narrowly fired wide. The Hearts midfielder picked up the ball wide on the left, doing well to beat his marker and then cutting inside laying the ball off to Fyvie; Fyvie attempted the first-time shot which went inches wide of the far post.
Scotland nearly took the lead with central defender Lewis Toshney seeing his effort tipped onto the woodwork by Luxembourg keeper Pfeiffer.
Tony Watt drilled home an indirect free-kick after Luxembourg goalkeeper Steve Pfeiffer picked up a back pass, before Lewis Toshney made it three.
It was the visitors who posed the earlier threat however and could’ve caused damage when Laterza zipped in a cross along the ground from the right hand side. His cross was narrowly missed by his team-mates.
It was evident how manager Billy Stark wanted his side to play football as the young Scots began to take control of possession, keeping a hold of the ball brilliantly for several minutes.
Their efforts were nearly paid off twenty minutes in when Walker set up Fyvie who narrowly fired wide. The Hearts midfielder picked up the ball wide on the left, doing well to beat his marker and then cutting inside laying the ball off to Fyvie; Fyvie attempted the first-time shot which went inches wide of the far post.
Scotland nearly took the lead with central defender Lewis Toshney seeing his effort tipped onto the woodwork by Luxembourg keeper Pfeiffer.
