Belief makes the difference for Aberdeen

THE nerves are gone. These days there’s simply a sense of anticipation at Pittodrie. That meant that, for the first time in years, there wasn’t a sense of panic as a valiant underdog battled heroically to upset the odds in a cup tie. Instead there was a belief that it was only a matter of time until the breakthrough came.
Adam Rooney: Secondhalf goal. Picture: Ian RutherfordAdam Rooney: Secondhalf goal. Picture: Ian Rutherford
Adam Rooney: Secondhalf goal. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Aberdeen 1-0 Dumbarton

Scorer: Aberdeen - Rooney (53)

With a striker such as Adam Rooney at their disposal, that confidence proved justified.

Rooney rising to head home a Barry Robson corner in the 52nd minute was all it took to separate the Premiership side from Dumbarton on Saturday. It could certainly have been more comfortable but that’s the difference with the current Aberdeen squad and many of their more immediate predecessors, their ability is backed up by a professionalism and the fact they do have the heart for the battle.

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And they don’t let their guard down when they come up against so-called lesser teams.

“The manager made us aware of how well [Dumbarton] have been doing,” said captain Russell Anderson, who can now dream of lifting two trophies before the end of this campaign. “They’ve lost one game in nine and are the highest or second highest scoring team in their league. So, we knew they were in good form coming up to Pittodrie but, the longer the game went, we had more control.

“People would have thought that, on paper, it would have been a lot easier to beat Dumbarton than it was beating Celtic at Parkhead in the previous round but each game throws up its own problems that you have to figure out to win it.

“We’ve been in the situation before when the supporters have become a little nervous. If you go back to the start of the season when we only managed to beat Alloa on penalties, it just shows the fine line there is between winning and losing.

“That game was the first step in us to reaching the League Cup final and it showed you are not guaranteed an easy win in any of these games.

“We’re on a good run at the moment. Hopefully, that continues into next weekend. But we also know we can’t take it for granted.”

The League Cup final could have been a distraction and all week players have seen the masses queuing for tickets and had to scramble to ensure they have enough briefs for their own needs.

“There’s been a lot of publicity surrounding the number of tickets we’ve sold and you’ve seen it in and around the club,” Anderson added.

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“But, in terms of the playing squad, the manager had us fully focused on Dumbarton. He wouldn’t have it any other way and you could see that, especially in the second half.”

The first half was a fairly balanced affair. The home side started the brighter but, with an effort from Scott Linton in the 11th minute, the guests started to settle into the encounter and, by half-time, the share of possession was fairly 50-50 and little separated the teams in terms of scoring chances.

In the second half, Dumbarton, who were well organised and full of energy and had a determination to get forward, while also committed to nullifying the Aberdeen attacks, started well.

They unsettled Jamie Langfield in the home goal and only a Scott Considine last-ditch block foiled Scott Agnew in the 49th minute but, as injuries and niggles forced a reshuffle of personnel in the part-time ranks, the top-tier outfit began to take a grip of the game.

Rooney’s goal gave them something to hold on to and, while they looked fairly comfortable, the scoreline continued to give Ian Murray’s men hope.

On the back foot, the Sons tried to hit on the break and, in the dying minutes, they almost forced a replay but full-back Paul McGinn squandered a gilt-edged chance, his header at the back post failing to find the target.

“They gave so much in the first half and you could see in the second half that they had tired but you’ve got to give them credit,” said Anderson. “We had a few scary moments and we deserved to go through but Dumbarton came here and acquitted themselves really well.”

It was a semi-final berth that was not gifted to Aberdeen by the lower league side. But as that penalty shoot-out win over Alloa proved, progress is all that really matters. “We’ve given ourselves a chance to get to another final,” added Anderson.

He knows the season still has plenty to offer. Saturday was the reminder that Aberdeen will have to work hard for it.

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