Aberdeen 5 - 4 Queen of the South

The Aberdeen defence is under a cloud. Summed up briefly, the position is this: If the forwards score four goals they are entitled to claim they have done a sound job of work. Any defence that loses four goals must be cuilty of dereliction of duty.
With the Dons leading 5-1 the defence against Queen of the South on Saturday began to take the result for granted. It almost cost them a point. The Dumfries revival produced four goals in the second half - three in the short space of fifteen minutes.

THIS game may have the effect of proving a lesson, but I feel that if Aberdeen are to be one of the powerful challengers in Scottish football this season the defence will have to be strengthened.
The Dons should have canterd home. They clearly proved that they were a more mobile and ingenious soccer side than Queen of the South. Fear took the place of confidence in the closing stages when the Dumfries team had reduced the deficit to a single goal.
There was little reason for criticiting the Pittodrie attack. The forwards were neat in their footwork and played a bright and venturesome brand of football.

DELANEY and Pearson on the extreme wings, and Hamilton in the middle, were full of running. This trio provides an abundance of craft and experience and they played well on Saturday.
Yorston was more subdued than usual, but young Hugh Hay made a bright first appearance. He has a good deal to learn yet, but he showed enough on Saturday to justify his promotion to the first team.
Harris and Lowrie played hard, but Thomson, Emery and Shaw wilted in face of the Queen of the South revival, and even Martin in goal was not as immaculate as usual in his handling.

ALEC YOUNG the Dons' centre-half, who had his first game at Kirkcaldy on Saturday since he broke his ankle during the Norwegian tour, received a knock on the injured limb. It is not serious, however, and he should be fit by the week-end.
Tony Harris was another Aberdeen casualty on Saturday. He sustained a heel injury against Queen of the South, but it is expected that he will be in the line-up against Rangers on Wednesday.

Source: Evening Express, 13th August 1951