Aberdeen 2 - 0 Airdrie

THIS form won’t do, Aberdeen! The Dons beat Airdrie 2-0 at Pittodrie last night but, apart from the result, the 28,000 crowd got little over which they could enthuse.
In fact, the Dons were so unconvincing in the second half that they were given the slow handclap by a section of the spectators.
Aberdeen will have to imorove on this form. The fact that East Fife and Celtic fought a draw at Bayview last night puts Aberdeen right in line for a place in the match-play stages of the League Cup. They are the only club in their section with full points.
Airdrie are their nearest rivals with two points, and if last night was a fair sample of the shooting ability of their forwards, they have little chance of Qualifying.
The visitors could have created real trouble for the Dons in the second half had they revealed any enterprise when they got within the target area.
Their best forward was Quigley on the right wing. It was his second senior game, and on this form the ’Onians have made a first-class capture in the former Broxburn centre-forward.

Bright Spell

The Dons had a bright spell, after they got their two goals, but they certainly could not be described as shaping like potential League Cup winners.
What went wrong in the second half I doubt if anyone can explain satisfactorily, but they certainly lost what poise they had, and seemed to be hurrying and scurrying about without any real objective in view.
Even the goals had a somewhat hollow ring about them. The first came in twelve minutes after Rodger, the Airdrie centre-half, had conceded a free kick by using his hands.
Allister placed to the ball the right, but Brown only half hit it, and Hather bobbed up in the middle to force the ball into the net.
No 2. six minutes later, was gifted by an Airdrie defender. A switch Buckley and Brown saw the latter on the ground get his foot to the centre’s pass, and Henderson deflected the ball into his own goal.
Two Aberdeen players who emerged from the game with fall marks were Fred Martin and Jimmy Mitchell who. It will be recalled, also took the honours at Parkhead.

Best Defender

The right back was the best defender afield, and shows every sign of having struck his best form this season. Young, who sustained an eye injury shortly before the interval and had to have a stitch inserted in the wound, lost some of his sparkle in the second half.
As a matter of fact, the defence as a whole seemed to shed some of its first half confidence. This was particularly noticeable in the case of Harris and Allister, who had done excellent work in the opening period.
Neither at Celtic Park nor at Pittodrie last night did the forward line impress. After the arrival of the two goals there were some neat attacking moves, but in the second half the attack practically "disappeared."
Apart from occasional flashes from the old maestro, George Hamilton, the men of the front rank failed to produce any real sparkle. The Dons can and must play better than this. There was no excuse for their slap-happy display after the interval.

Source: Evening Express, 13th August 1953
 

GREAT INCENTIVE FOR DONS AT METHIL 

THE best apology the Dons can make for their disappointing midweek display against Airdrie is to beat East Fife at Methll to-morrow. Their second half form on Wednesday was surely too bad to be true.

The Fifers’ chances of reaching the match-play stages are anything but bright. If they fail against Aberdeen they will be out of the hunt.
Apparently East Fife had most of the play against Celtic at Bayview in mid-week, but dropped a point because the forwards failed to accept their scoring opportunities.
The Dons have a grand chance of finishing at the top the section. If they take even one point from to-morrow’s visit to Methii they have only to win their two remaining home matches to make the grade.
It seems strange to criticise a team which has taken full points from the two games played, but the Dons cannot expect to continue their success story unless they produce a more intelligent brand of football than they did against Airdrie.

Mediocrity

With the exception of Martin in goal and Mitchell at right back, the team nose-dived to mediocrity after the interval. They played with some real vigour in the opening period, particularly the half-backs.
East Fife will be keen prove themselves in front of their own supporters, and the Aberdeen defence will have to be as dour and determined as it was at Celtic Park to hold Fleming and Co. at bay.
The Pittodrie forwards were not impressive either against Celtic or Airdrie. They are due a good game, and if it should happen at Methii they could win.
The Dons have every incentive to go in and win. They could not be more favourably placed for qualifying, but they will have to step up on Wednesday's form.

Not Unlikely

It would brighten the Dons prospects if Airdrie and Celtic finished on level terms at Broomfield. It is not an unlikely result. The Parkhead team impressed in everything but their shooting against Aberdeen. Airdrie, too. were lacking in punch on Wednesday, and of the pair Celts struck me as the better team.
Rangers, Hibs and Dundee are heading for the last eight of the trio. Hibs appear to be set the most formidable test tomorrow against St Mirren at Paisley.
The Edinburgh team, with young D’Arcy leading the attack, scored a good victory over Falkirk, but they will have to be in too form to break down the tough Paisley defence. The Saints seem to be the only serious challengers to Hibs, but defeat at home tomorrow would leave them well behind.
Falkirk put up a good show against Hibs until both wingers, Delaney and Kelly, were injured. They may register their first win at Dumfries, but a draw appears the likelier result.

Fade Out

After a bright opening twenty minutes th eRangers forwards did a quick fade out against Hearts, and it was only iin the closing stages that they clinched matters.
The Light Blues, however, should be in no danger tomorrow with pointless Hamilton Accies as visitors to Ibrox. The Douglas Park side are finding the going hard in the top class.
If Hearts are to remain in the running they must beat Raith Rovers at Tynecastle. The Edinburgh team played clever football at Ibrox, but enjoyed little luck. Bauld and his attacking team-mates should hit the jackpot against the Kirkcaldy lads.
Dundee are marching steadily towards the knock-out stages the League Cun and it will be a surprise if Partick Thistle cause them to falter at Dens Park.

Still Pointless

Against Clyde at Shawfield, Stirling Albion are relying on the team which beat Partick Thistle in mid-week. The Glasgow side have yet to collect their first point, and they will make a strenuous effort to open their account at the expense of the Annfield club.
Aberdeen reserves, champions of "C" Division, have got off to a bad start in the new season. In successive matches they have fallen to Berwick Rangers and Dumfermline.
They appear to have been a bit unlucky at East End Park, and they will be all out return to the good graces of their supporters by beating iheir old rivals from Dundee at Pittodrie to-morrow.

Source: Evening Express, 14th August 1953