Heart of Midlothian 1 - 1 Aberdeen

THERE have been occasions this season when Aberdeen could justifiably claim that the breaks were going against them in their struggle to improve their position, but they had little cause for complaint on Saturday. The point gained in the 1-1 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle may prove invaluable, but on the whole it was luckily earned.

In the first half Hearts produced some sparkling combined play, and in comparison Aberdeen were a team of struggling units. The match might well have been won and lost by half-time but for the fact that Curran was in his best form and made some magnificent saves.
on the other hand, it was during this period that the Dons threw away two golden opportunities. Rice was concerned in both incidents. He ought to have scored when Emery put him through, and later he and the centre became so mixed up after beating the defence that Hearts got an offside decision when a little thought would have meant a goal for Aberdeen.
The Dons' early play had the anxiety complex written all over it. There was far too much haphazard passing, and with the wing half backs floundering it looked only a matter time before Bauld and his front-line mates would be among the goals.
The fact that they scored only once was almost entirely due to Curran, who was beaten in ten minutes by Bauld. In its flight the ball was deflected by Waddell giving Curran no chance.

Roy Excels

After the interval the 'keeper never saw a Bauld thunderbolt which struck the underside the bar and came out, but his work otherwise was so good that he couldn't be grudged a bit of luck.
Roy gave his 'keeper most protection. The centre half found it a full-time job looking after the lively Bauld, but he defended stubbornly. Waddell, too, was better in the second half, while Ancell played his part urging the team on to get the all-important equalising goal.
Emery was once again a trier in attack, but his limitations were fully exposed by Dougan, a youngster with bright future.
Best of the Aberdeen was Williams. Harris coudn't tame the light ball, and his best work came in the last fifteen minutes when he moved to centre and gave Dougan some of his most uncomfortable moments.
There were five minutes to go when Harris chased the ball almost to the bye-line. His cross came right over the face of the goal. Brown missed it altogether and Hather, standing at the far post, nodded it home.
This was compensation for the winger, who had probably his worst game since he came into the first team.

Source: Press & Journal, 21st March 1949