East Fife 3 - 0 Aberdeen

Edited by Norman Mac Donald

Now is the time for the Pittodrie management to take action. The present team has been tried and found wanting.

Doubts were first created in the St Mungo Cup final against Celtic and they have been verified in the League Cup-ties. The team has been given a fair trial.
There were no extenuating circumstances connected with Saturdays failure at Methil. The Dons were a poor team. They got what their play warranted.

when finished EXCEPT for something in the nature of a miracle Aberdeen are a lost cause so far as the League Cup is concerned. The odds are heavy in favour of Rangers qualifying.
The Light Blues are three points ahead of the Dons. Admittedly they have still to come to Pittodrie, but their two other fixtures are against Queen of the South and East Fife at Ibrox.
Aberdeen have also three games to play, and they provide the club with an excellent opportunity for stocktaking.
Why not give some of the Reserves a chance in the remaining League Cup-ties? The club would have everything to gain and little to lose this policy.
It would serve the double purpose of encouraging the young players and simultaneously testing the playing resources of the club.

THE defence was in trouble again at Methil, but the forwards certainly did not win any bouquets either.
They were too easily brushed aside. The Fifers went to meet the ball strongly and vigorously. The Dons were content to wait for it. The result speaks for itself.
In the three League Cup ties the defence has conceded nine goals. That clearly indicates weakness in the rear. No team can afford to lose consistently and hope to maintain a serious challenge.

IT is difficult to put your finger on a single Aberdeen player who played really well against East Fife. Some played better than othes, but none would have won any international caps.
Martin could scarcaly be blamed for the loss of any of the goals, but neither the backs not half-backs were consistent. Thomson was not the dominating centre-half I saw at Ibrox, but he was probably the best of the mid-line trio.
Lowrie could be faulted when two the three goals were scored, while Harris' play was patchy.

THERE was not a scoring shot amongst the five forwards. Hamilton was overshadowed by Aird and suffered from lack of support.
Delaney and Yorston on the right wing failed to get going as a dangerous striking force. They caused the Fife defence little anxiety.
Bogan played hard and with some success in the first half. Pearson was as good a forward as they had, and I have often seen him play better.
The Aberdeen management has shown remarkable restraint in the matter team changes, but their patience must now be exhausted.
Three directors, Mr William Mitchell, chairman; Mr Charles Forbes and Mr James Meldrum, made the trip to Methil, and I know they were badly disappointed with the play of the team.

Source: Evening Express, 20th August 1951