Hampden Park, Queens Park/Scotland
It's odd to think that a 3rd Division team in Scotland have a 52 000 seated stadium. But of course, as we all know, Queens Park's Hampden Park is also home to our national football team. When I was visiting Hampden Park for the first time, it was for the Scottish Cup semi-final between Aberdeen and Queen of the South. Aberdeen were clear favourites for the tie since they were 1 division ahead of Queens. who were in Division 1. But Aberdeen have been shaky against lower league opposition, including a penalty shoot out defeat to Queens Park in the CIS Cup second round in 2006. But it's the Scottish Cup semi-final. A place in the final and possibly a place in Europe next year was at stake, surely the players could motivate themselves to win this?
On arrival into the stadium the game had already started. It had been a shaky day trip coming here. We had took the wrong train in Glasgow to the direction of Hampden Park, instead going the opposite and having to get off and take the next one in the correct direction. Queen of the South had brought a lot of fans for a Division 1 team, I would guess around 10 000 were there singing their hearts out. After 20 minutes of an intense first half, Queens took a shock lead. Goalkeeper Derek Soutar spilled a Ryan McCann free-kick and Andy Aitken was able to touch the ball back for Steve Tosh to coolly smash a side-footed effort high into the net. Aberdeen, angered by this, hit back 12 minutes later. A Scott Severin free kick was bulleted into the net from Andy Considine after he rose up Jim Thomson and gave Aberdeen an equaliser. The Aberdeen fans were showing their voices and were full of support but the Dons couldn't find the net in the first half and it ended at the break 1-1.
The second half was a half to remember for Queens. a Bizarre 12 minute spell saw 5 goals in which 3 for Queens and 2 for Aberdeen. First up to score on 48 minutes was Paul Burns. Sean O'Connor's ball down the left flank was picked up by John Stewart and he cut the ball back for Burns to finish off a second attempt. That lead didn't last long though as a Lee Miller header was saved by Jamie Macdonald and the ball dropped for Barry Nicholson to smash the ball into the net. But on 56 minutes a long ball by Tosh picked out O'Connor and he dribbled past Zander Diamond and hit a low left footed shot past Soutar. Amazingly Aberdeen were level again. Barry Nicholson's original corner was cleared back out to him and his cross found Sone Aluko, who's header across box was met by Andy Considine and he had the easiest of finishes to level the scores at 3-3. But.....it wasn't finished yet. A cross from the right hand wing was headed across goal by Jim Thomson and John Stewart was waiting at the back post to drill the ball home to give queens a lead for the 4th time. Aberdeen pressed and pressed for an equaliser but couldn't find it. 4-3 it finished and the Aberdeen fans were disgraced with their team's performance but respectively applauded Queen of the South and their fans for an excellent and well deserved win.
A bad day out for a Don's fan but a lot I can say about the game. A brilliant stadium which is shaped like a bowl, a fantastic atmosphere made by most fans and the view you get is great apart from the fact the pitch is a bit far from the seats. But at least there are no pillars blocking your view.
