If drinking is an activity, then yes
This is how bad it has become. We are so hard up for football action that I am actualy going to do a post on the SFA Cup. That’s right, all of the north of the border action that none of you have been clamoring for.
It would have been quite a big weekend for the SFA Cup, if the all of the matches could have been played. It was time for the Fourth Round of the cup, which sees the SPL teams enter the fray. Exactly six matches made it through the weather, and four of them were good enough to take a look at today.
Join me after the jump for a quick dissection of the games. You know you are just about football-starved enough to do so.
Aberdeen 2-0 Hearts
The glamour tie of the round (as far as I am concerned) went to the Dons who have pulled off two straight wins after dropping to three consecutive losses. Darren Mackie scored his first for the home side in almost a year at the hour mark, while Lee Miller doubled the scoreline in the 76th minute. Aberdeen largely dominated the proceedings, finishing with a 13-5 edge on shots.
This game was something of a mental hurdle for Aberdeen players, coaches and fans. Last season, the fans got fed up with Jimmy Calderwood’s teams going out so early in the cup campaigns and management paid attention and bounced him. McGhee got off to an inauspicious start this year, losing out to second-tier Dundee in their first match. So, winning this match was a welcome respite for all. Aberdeen go on to face either Raith Rovers or Airdrie United in the Fifth Round.
Hibernian 3-0 Irvine Meadow XI
While the scoreline does not flatter either side in the end, this match was notable because it was the first time a Junior squad took on a SPL team in the cup. Hibs were never really threatened, scoring two in the first half, but Irvine Meadow acquitted themselves well by showing up to play both ways instead of just defending. They came close a couple of times to getting a famous goal. The visitors had a shout for a PK before the first Hibs goal as well as a shot come off the woodwork in the first half. It was not to be, however, to the slight disappointment of the 2000 visiting fans. Hibs will likely face Montrose in the next round, unless East of Scotland League’s Edinburgh City pull off the upset and force a derby.
Dunfermline 7-1 Stenhousemuir
Dunfermline put up the big number of the day, but the result may not stand. The home side put up four in the first and scored their other three before Stenhousemuir bagged an injury time goal. However, the result is in doubt as The Pars brought in defender Calum Woods in the 51st minute as a sub. Trouble is, Woods was supposed to be on red card suspension. Dunfermline went into the fifth round draw, but have to be a little on edge.
Last season, Brechin City were thrown out of the cup for using two ineligible players in a tie against Hamilton. The best Dunfermline can hope for at this time is that they get a punishment equal to Brechin’s first transgression: 10,000 pound fine and a replay of the match. If The Pars survive, a likely home tie against Celtic awaits.
Hamilton 3-3 Rangers
The lone Sunday match was a corker. Rangers eased to a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes behind Steven Whittaker and Kenny Miller. Hamilton then converted a penalty in the 39th minute of play and scored twice in first-half stoppage to take a 3-2 lead at the break. Miller slotted home a penalty of his own in the 63rd and Hamilton had to hang on at the end after Richard Hastings recieved a second yellow in the 80th minute.
The big news of the day–other than these two playing to only their second cup draw ever (the other was in 1913) was that Kris Boyd was subbed off before haltime thorugh injury. The SPL’s top all-time goalscorer has been linked to numerous different English clubs in a move that would happen during the January transfer window. Now, as Boyd awaits word on his injury, those plans must be on hold.
I say put Stenny through. Boo Dunfermline..BOOO.