Queens In Blue Heaven

Last updated : 14 April 2008 By Queens MAD
Queens sent their 10,000 fans into raptures as they sealed their place in the Scottish Cup final for the first time after an astonishing victory over SPL outfit Aberdeen in a seven-goal thriller at Hampden.

A mistake from Dons goalie Derek Soutar gifted the lead to the first division club midway through the first half. Ryan McCann floated a free-kick into the box and the goalie failed to gather it.

The ball broke back to former Dons midfielder Stevie Tosh on the edge of the penalty area and the veteran rifled it into the back of the net with glee.

Queens had the ball into the back of the net for a second time five minutes later, but Paul Burns was flagged offside as he fired home from Stephen Dobbie's pass.

The Donnhamers defence was resolute throughout the opening half-hour, showing why they had yet to concede a goal so far this year in the Scottish Cup.

But the Dons eventually levelled from a set piece ten minutes before the interval. Barry Nicholson's free-kick was nodded across goal and Andrew Considine rose above Queens skipper Jim Thomson to head home.

Queens were forced into making a change just before the interval when John Stewart replaced the injury Dobbie and it was an excellent surging run from the former Aberdeen man player that set up Paul Burns for the Doonhamers' second goal at the start of the second half.

Stewart exhibited an excellent turn of pace as he raced past Zander Diamond and crossed the ball to Burns, who netted at the second attempt at the back post.

This spurred the Pittodrie outfit into action and they were almost level within 60 seconds, but Chris Maguire's low angled drive was brilliantly touched away by Queens goalie Jamie MacDonald.

However Aberdeen did not have to wait long for their leveller as Nicholson got them back on level terms for the second time minutes later. Lee Miller saw his header from Maguire's cross well blocked by MacDonald, but Nicholson reacted quickly to knock home the rebound.

The frantic start to the second half continued as the Doonhamers retook the lead within minutes.

The Dons central defence failed to cope with a long ball forward and Sean O'Connor took the ball past Diamond before firing home the third goal.

Once again the lead was short-lived as Considine drew the Dons level after Miller had nodded on a Nicholson cross.

There was, however, an air of inevitability about the fact that the Doonhamers retook the lead for the fourth time minutes later as the match started to resemble a game of basketball.

Once again the Dons defence was caught out and substitute Stewart fired home in acres of space at the back post to seal the final berth.

The Dons had chances to level but they were denied an equaliser by the woodwork on two separate occasions 20 minutes from the end.

Diamond headed off the face of the crossbar and as the rebound fell back to the central defender, he sent a half-volley crashing against an upright.


The galliant Queens however held out for the greatest victory in their history and there were emotional scenes at the finish as the players ran towards the fans.


This was a marvelous performance by Queens and one that will live long in my memory. The whole of Dumfries seemed to partying last night as the fans started to filter back from Hampden.

Travel Club Man of the Match - The magnificent Steve Tosh who worked like a dervish in midfield.


Burnsy strike heading for the top corner
Stewart and O'Connor celebrate