ABERDEEN 4 INVERNESS 1 BARRY NICHOLSON'S hat-trick sent Aberdeen into their first semi-final under Jimmy Calderwood - but Inverness sure played their part in the comprehensive victory. The Dons were streets ahead of their opponents who seemed intent on giving the Dons the easiest of nights. It was all over by half-time when two crude tackles inside the box handed Aberdeen two penalties and then a truly jaw-dropping mistake by keeper Michael Fraser gifted a third. Never mind the horror films which were shown on television last night. Inverness had a don't-watch-on-yourown defensive performance which would have had Freddie Krueger cowering behind the couch. They improved in the second half but Nicholson's third sealed what was a straight-forward victory in the end. Pittodrie was not exactly bursting at the seams, despite what was up for grabs. Maybe the fans were out guising. The Pittodrie DJ made note it was Hallowe'en by playing Michael Jackson's Thriller as the teams ran out. We all hoped that was a premonition. Dons boss Calderwood gave a first start to on-loan Birmingham player Sone Aluko on the left-hand side of midfield with Jamie Smith back in the side as an out-and-out striker. Inverness were along familiar lines and the Aberdeen fans would have been pleased Craig Brewster was not playing. They know full well what he is capable of. It was decent stuff from the outset with both teams intent of attacking and Aberdeen took the lead after just nine minutes. A great move began with Smith in the centre-circle, passes were exchanged between Nicholson and Jackie McNamara, with the latter spreading well with an excellent ball to Derek Young on the right. Young's good first touch took him into the box and instead of going for goal, he decided to cut back inside Richard Hastings. The Caley Thistle man's trailing leg cut down his opponent, referee John Underhill pointed to the spot and Nicholson blasted his penalty with supreme confidence past the helpless Fraser. It almost became a two-goal lead two minutes later when Nicholson's free-kick to the near post was met by Young's diving header which flew just wide. Inverness came close in 13 minutes when Barry Wilson's cross from a freekick on the edge of Aderdeen's box picked out Ross Tokely and his header found the side-netting. Aluko is a lively wee player. He showed great skill on the quarter-hour mark to skip past Russell Duncan in the centre circle and played a great onetwo with Smith which for a second looked like sending him on a clear run to goal, only for Grant Munro to get a toe to the ball. Aberdeen were playing well. A great Lee Miller pass after 18 minutes found Smith on the edge of the box and his curling effort was inches over. However, the Dons were only moments from their second. Miller showed great strength to run with the ball for 40 yards and his nutmeg on Stuart McCaffrey took him into the box where the Inverness defender duly brought him down. Another penalty and another superb finish from Nicholson who sent Fraser the wrong way. A Don Cowie shot which was blocked by Lee Mair for a corner and an ambitious Duncan 25-yard half volley was all Inverness could muster. Aberdeen passed the ball well, their movement was good and Aluko really looked the part. But Calderwood had to change things in 29 minutes when Young limped off and was replaced by Chris Clark. Aberdeen were good for their lead however their keeper Jamie Langfield produced a sensational save at full length to deny a Duncan shot from outside the box just before the halftime whistle. Then Inverness had a disaster right at the end of the half. Munro was way too heavy with his pass-back which keeper Fraser had to control on his chest. Why he didn't kick it only he will know but he tried to shimmy with the ball at his feet and slipped on his backside which allowed Miller to tap home to kill the game. Utterly bizarre and you couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the young lad. In fairness to Brewster's men, they kept going when all was lost. In 55 minutes DennisWyness went close with a header and a shot on the turn from the striker was at least on target. They got a few crosses into the Aberdeen box but a comeback was never really on the cards. Calderwood had to make another enforced change when Smith picked up an injury and Ricky Foster took his place on the hour. Aberdeen were happy to sit back and make sure nothing daft happened. But that did allow Caley Thistle some chances and after 62 minutes Hastings' cut-back found Cowie who laid up to Wyness. Both Inverness men were inside the box and not marked but Wyness' lob was never going to beat Langfield, nor was Wilson's shot from 20 yards moments later. Then Wyness went really close with a shot from outside the box which beat Langfield but was just a little too high. However, Inverness got a goal they deserved in 66 minutes. Zander Diamond was robbed at the touchline by Wyness who made his way into the box and slipped a pass to Graham Bayne who blasted the ball home. But it was no more than a consolation. With 13 minutes left, Aberdeen broke quickly with Clark racing past Hastings and his low cross was just perfect for that man Nicholson to finish themove fromclose range and seal his hat-trick. Aluko went off to a standing ovation and he is going to Hampden. For Inverness, it was a night best forgotten. ABERDEEN - Langfield, Hart, Diamond, Mair, Byrne, J Smith (Foster 59), Nicholson, McNamara, Aluko (Considine 72), Young (Clark 30), Miller. Not used: Kelly, Maguire. INVERNESS CT - Fraser, Tokely, Munro, McCaffrey, Hastings, Wilson (Niculae 79), Duncan, McBain (Rankin 79), Cowie, Bayne, Wyness (Morgan 79). Not Used: Malkowski, Proctor. Referee - John Underhill. | 
