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matches

Aberdeen 3 - 0 Airdrie

HT Score: Aberdeen 0 - 0 Airdrie

Div 1 (Old)
Aberdeen scorers: Pearson 47, Baird 85 (Pen), Harris 87.

28/02/1948 | KO: 15:00

The Wizard o' the Dons

With the relegation spectre over them, Aberdeen made full use of their shooting boots. And, as if fate was quite sure the Dons were given a second try at the late spot kick. Aberdeen applied most of the pressure first half, during which Pearson charmed the crowd with his calm assurance. The wizardry of his footwork and passing were a delight. With the left wing combination functioning sweetly' keeper Downie was kept on his toes. Second-half switch amongst the visitors failed to produce results. Aberdeen pressure told. In 47 minutes Harris and Baird laid the foundation for their first counter by Pearson. Two minutes from time, the Dons were awarded a penalty when Kelly was brought down. Taylor's kick went narrowly past but the Dons were granted a retake. Baird made no mistake. A minute later, Kelly sent Harris off with a solo run from midfield. His oblique shot struck the inside of the far post and trickled over the line. In a victorious side whose great mistake was high passing, the left-wing pair were shining lights with flashes of good work from centre and right. Half-backs less impressive, but Cowie and McKenna were sound in defence. Airdrie had few chances to shine. Peters kept the ball moving, but Cunningham and Kelly were continually on tenterhooks caring for the ever-elusive Pearson. Keeper Downie made some split-second goalmouth clearances.

Source: Sunday Post, 29th February 1948

Dons Take Big Step On Road to Safety [by Norman MacDonald} THE Dons' 3-0 victory over Airdrie enabled them to take a big step towards the safety zone. The Dons deserved the points, but their win was by no means as convincing as the score suggests. They had the artillery, but lacked the ammunition. The forwards could take the ball to the Airdrie penalty area, but they couldn't get it into the net. Until the last five minutes they held a slender lead of one goal, cleverly headed by Pearson two minutes after the start of the second half. The game finished on a sensational note. Kelly was downed in the penalty area. Taylor took the kick and sent past. G. Mitchell, Falkirk, the referee, ordered the kick to be retaken. The only explanation seems be that goalkeeper Downie moved. Baird took the second chance and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The loss of this goal shook the resolute Airdrie defence and along came Harris with a third. He netted with an acute angle shot after Kelly had sent him through. I felt sorry for the Broomfield defence. Their forwards produced little constructive football, but their defence was strong and courageous. The grim figure of Old Man Relegation hung ominously over this game. It was reflected in the play. The anxiety complex was responsible to some extent for the Aberdeen forwards' poor finishing. And there were traces of it in the defence, too.

Tension Relieved

This success may have relieved the mental tension among the Pittodrie players. The Dons are not out of the wood yet, but they are moving in the right direction. I thought Cowie and McKenna adopted the right tactics. They cleared their lines first time. The wing half backs, Waddell and Taylor, were keen enough, but their energy was not always expended to the best advantage. Roy, if he didn't make a spectacular League debut at centre half, certainly policed the middle effectively. He was rugged and reliable, and must be given a chance to prove his worth. Harris played a useful game both on-the wing and at inside forward - he and Williams changed places in the second half when the South African was suffering from an ankle injury.

Kelly a Trier

Kelly tried hard at centre forward, and, if he did nothing else, he kept Kelly, Airdrie's best defender, fullv employed. Peters, the Airdrie right back, pulled a thigh muscle early in the game, and in the second half they rearranged their team. Peters went on the wing and Black took over the right back duties, with Duncan at left half and H. Watson inside left. If Airdrie are to escape relegation the attack must be improved. The defence will do.

Source: Press & Journal, 1st March 1948

..
Aberdeen Teamsheet
Johnstone, Cowie, McKenna, Waddell, Roy, Taylor, Harris, Williams, Kelly, Baird, Pearson.
Airdrie Teamsheet
Downie; Peters Cunningham; Stevenson, Kelly, Black; H. Watson, Brown, Anderson, Duncan, G. Watson
Attendance: 18,000
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: G. Mitchell, Falkirk