DARVEL MARVELLOUS BUT IT’S
Ayrshire side produce one of the great cup shocks to leave Aberdeen boss on the brink
ADARVEL DELIGHT PRESSURE MOUNTS ON GOODWIN
Almighty pressure was already on
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S FAR as Scottish Cup shocks go, this must go down as one of the biggest. Ever.
Aberdeen headed to Darvel with Jim Goodwin under huge pressure after a string of dire results. This was an obvious banana- skin, but thought by many to be nothing more than a threat of an upset.
Darvel boss Mick Kennedy wasn’t one of those put off by the obvious gulf in league level between the two clubs. Instead, his determined, gritty, and packed with quality Darvel side stood up to the test and more than earned a historic result.
Jordan Kirkpatrick – who starred for Alloa under Goodwin – sent the hosts into dreamland after just 19 minutes when his deflected effort found the bottom corner.
It was absolutely deserved with the West of Scotland Premier League side throwing any pre- match odds out the window with a commanding performance.
Aberdeen would rally in the second period but were denied by a resolute Darvel defence. Luis “Duk” Lopes was first stopped by a terrific Chris Truesdale save after 56 minutes. The striker would again be bested by Truesdale as the keeper brilliantly saved a close- range effort. Duk would be denied on a third occasion 12 minutes from time as Truesdale again sprawled wide to prevent a certain finish.
Here are five talking points after Darvel dumped Aberdeen out of the Scottish Cup.
For any deniers of the proverbial magic of the Scottish Cup – this result puts it beyond any doubt.
Darvel were tremendous on their home turf as the undoubted shock of recent Scottish Cup history took place in front of a capacity crowd.
The scenes at full- time will live long in the memory of fans and players alike. And it was absolutely deserved. Falkirk await in the next round, Darvel will no doubt be thinking, why not?
Goodwin before a shock defeat to Darvel. The Pittodrie boss had the spotlight on his position after a string of shaky results and unacceptable 5- 0 defeat to Hearts in recent weeks.
Goodwin was set to meet Dave Cormack last week to discuss moving forward at Aberdeen, it’d come as little surprise if Goodwin was again called into contact with the chairman – who was at Recreation Park – for another difficult discussion.
It’s difficult to see a way out of this for Goodwin. There’s no doubt the Irishman is a quality manager but things just aren’t clicking for him at Aberdeen and with this result on top of recent performances - his time at the helm could be nearing an end.
BOLD BELIEF PAYS OFF
Kennedy was confident ahead of kick- off. There may have been questions over whether he was playing mind- games in his bold confidence pre- match but it was not the case.
The manager refused to change his tactics despite the increased challenge of a Scottish Premiership club heading to Darvel.
He was brave and it paid off with Darvel more than worthy winners and showing the belief demanded by Kennedy pre- match.
In his pre- match team- talk, the manager said: “I promise you right now, we can win this. It’s about belief. “People talk about underdogs, I’m telling you right now we are not underdogs. I don’t believe that. I have never believed that since the draw has been made.
“I know what is in this changing room and what is in your hearts. I know when we are together we can achieve anything. Look to your brothers, look to your family. Let’s look to the next round.”
ABSENT VAR IMPACT
For some at Aberdeen there would have been a sigh of relief to play in a match without VAR this season.
The controversial technology has divided players, managers and fans alike this season.
VAR was not in use at Recreation Park - and for once, perhaps, Aberdeen will wish it had been.
Bojan Miovski looked to have spared blushes when he poked home after 75 minutes. But Leighton Clarkson was ruled offside in the build- up, a decision replays looked to call into serious question.
PITCH PERFECT
Criticism was rightly levelled at the surface at Hampden for the Viaplay Cup semi- finals last weekend. No such slights could be aimed at
Darvel. The surface at Recreation Park was terrific and is no doubt the envy of a few Scottish Premiership clubs with the pitch holding up well for a huge night under the lights.
And it’s not just the pitch which is of excellent quality – so too are all of the facilities at the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division club.
It is of little surprise then that so many of the players on the pitch are similarly capable of competing at a higher level with foundations built for success up the leagues at Darvel.
Certainly a club to keep an eye on with promotion to the Lowland League well within reach in the years to come.