IT WAS hard on Hamilton, but they're out of the Scottish Cup again. Billy Reid's side gave a good account of themselves, but Aberdeen crept into the last eight due to Zander Diamond's second-half goal. The Dons stay alive in both domestic cup competi
tions – a League Cup semi-final with Dundee United to look forward to next. Looking back on yesterday's tie, Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood expressed a fair amount of relief.
"At half-time we were lucky to be at 0-0, and if we'd gone behind it would have been more difficult, because Hamilton looked comfortable. Credit to them, they did really well, but we're through to the next round."
So in the end Hamilton's late reprieve in the competition last week – their fourth-round conquerors, Brechin City, were expelled for having fielded two ineligible players – came to nought.
Manager Billy Reid was disappointed with the outcome but proud of his players. "It was cruel. I thought we played very well and made numerous chances. The reaction of the crowd at half-time told you everything. I thought we should have won the game. I know we've good players at this club and they are encouraged to play in the right manner. We've a belief in what we're trying to do and I think you saw that today."
Hamilton were bold from the start. Mark Gilhaney cut inside Stuart Duff for the angled shot which Jamie Langfield tipped over his crossbar. Then Aberdeen attacked and Richard Foster's poked effort was caught by Bryn Halliwell. The Dons were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position as the result of a Hamilton handball and Josh Walker stepped up to send the ball past the post. The midfielder, on loan from Middlesbrough, enjoyed a fine debut. Calderwood s said: "He was fantastic and I think he'll be a big plus for us."
There was a big scare for Aberdeen when Tom Parratt crossed from the right flank and Tony Stevenson's header crashed off the upright with Langfield beaten. In response to that, Darren Mackie tried and nearly succeeded in chipping Halliwell after an outbreak of uncertainty in the Hamilton defence.
An excellent move by the visitors involved a neat one-two between David Graham and James McCarthy, the former on target with his low drive but Langfield's legs denying him. An ambitious long-range attempt from the Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine was parried by Halliwell as the chances came thick and fast at both ends. Near the break, Foster rode a tackle and centred for Jeffrey de Visscher to smash a shot into the side-netting.
De Visscher was withdrawn at the interval to allow Derek Young to make a second-half appearance in red. Following a quiet period, Hamilton were having the idea again of taking the lead. Brian Easton took advantage of a mix-up in the Aberdeen defence to unleash a fair crack on goal. Langfield did well to save and from the resulting corner there was a giant scramble in the home box. Aberdeen defended stoutly as Hamilton tried in vain to get that ball in the net. Easton hacked at it a couple of times but to no avail and suddenly Aberdeen were on the counter-attack. What looked promising at first ended up in an offside decision against Darren Mackie.
But it was not long after that the Dons took the lead in this cup tie. Barry Nicholson was responsible for the all-important through-ball which Diamond latched onto and cut a measured shot towards the far post. The Hamilton goalie got a good touch on it but despite Halliwell's best efforts, the ball followed a path into the corner of the net.
Hamilton tried to hit back and Stevenson and Richard Offiong were denied in quick succession. You felt the hosts needed another goal to be safe. Walker should have provided that relief when he had clear sight of goal but he smacked it straight at Halliwell and a great opportunity was gone.
Aberdeen tried to keep the ball in their opponents' half as the minutes ticked away but Hamilton would not quite lie down. They won a free kick on the edge of the Aberdeen box and Hamilton players awaited a decent delivery from Parratt, except the ball landed up in the hands of Langfield.
Just as the board showed for three minutes of injury time, it was Mark McLaughlin's turn to threaten Aberdeen with a drive. The Hamilton sub James Grady also had a sniff, but Langfield got the touch. The Hamilton fans applauded the efforts of their team after the final whistle, but it was back down the road in defeat, a narrow one at that. Aberdeen's season continues to hold some promise as they remain in the hunt for various pieces of silverware.
MAN OF THE MATCH: There were several Hamilton contenders but, on the winning side, the energetic Josh Walker made an impressive Dons debut, and might have made the score-sheet.
ASIDE: Seagulls feasted on discarded butteries outside the ground. No wonder they get so big.
The full article contains 863 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
