Dons Denied In Last Season’s Scottish Cup Semi-Final

Our delayed 2019/20 Scottish Cup Semi-Final wasn’t to be, as the Dons went down to two first half goals against Celtic on Sunday.

It was certainly a different display from our 3-3 draw in the league, the weekend before – the Dons only having one shot on target throughout the match.

Derek McInnes made three changes to the starting eleven from last weekend.

Jonny Hayes and Dylan McGeouch were both out injured.  Jonny suffered a groin injury after slipping during training on Saturday.

Dylan was confirmed to be out until the end of the year, also suffering from a groin injury picked up during our league match against Celtic.

Scott Wright and Matty Kennedy returned into the starting line-up in their place.

Also starting was Sam Cosgrove – making his first start of the season following his cartilage injury.

And it was Sam than had the early chance after he picked up a Matty Kennedy cross at the back post, but he headed the shot wide.

Joe Lewis had to make a double save to deny Odsonne Edouard, the loose ball returned to Edouard but Lewis blocked the shot again.

Ryan Hedges had a chance in the 13th minute, after picking up a through ball from Scott Wright.  Hedges cut inside, but his shot was blocked by Nir Bitton.

Celtic were dominating the possession during the first half and it was Ryan Christie that opened the scoring who delivered a fine 25 yard strike into the far corner of our net.

Christie nearly scored again a minute later after he was left unmarked at the back post.  He picked up a cross from Mohamed Elyounoussi but his header hit downards and bounced wide.

Mohamed Eloyounoussi made it 2-0 for Celtic, after he picked up a dinked chip from Rogic, which went beyond Andy Considine and he scored from close range.

Into the second half, and Aberdeen had a clear chance in the 49th minute when Scott Wright broke into the box and cut back a pass to Sam Cosgrove.

But Sam’s shot went straight to Celtic keeper, Scott Bain.

Celtic seemed to have taken the foot of the pedal as the second half progressed and Aberdeen had a few chances.

In the 60th minute Ryan Hedges unleashed an effort from 25 yards but it went wide of the Celtic goal.

Lewis Ferguson was next up to have a go in the 73rd minute but his shot flew just over the bar.

Matty Kennedy then collected the ball inside the box and shot from close range, but Frimpong blocked his shot.

In a blow to the Dons, Marley Watkins went off injured with a possible hamstring injury – it looked bad and he was replaced by Curtis Main.

Hoban then picked up the ball from a Ryan Hedges free kick in the 83rd minute, but his header went wide.

It wasn’t to be for the Dons as we bow out of last season’s Scottish Cup – we can still make good our lack of Scottish Cup success in the competition this season, but we need to push on and take our chances.