Clyde 0 - 1 Aberdeen

Emery Gives Best Display of Season

THERE is a growing trend of opinion that Scotland will need a new leader of attack against Wales at Hampden Park on Wednesday, November 9.
If the selectors share this opinion when they sit down next Monday to frame the team, they cannot make a better choice than Alec Linwood of Clyde.

The Shawfield centre forward was on the losing side against the Dons, yet he was the most accomplished forward on view. Quick, clean, clever and conscientious he, more than any other Clyde player, looked capable of turning the scales.
That he failed was due to two things - lack of support from his own team-mates and the bulldog-like qualities of Willie Waddell, the Aberdeen centre-half.
The Dons won this game by the only goal. It was no classic affair, but any goal that wins two points is a good one as far as the successful club is concerned.
The all-important counter arrived after sixty-two minutes' play. It was a ball thrust through the middle by Anderson that led to the score.
Kelly and Yorston chased it, and the centre let fly. The ball struck Milligan, the Shawfield pivot, and ricochetted sharply into the air. The sudden and unexpected change of direction completely deceived Thomson in the Clyde goal, and the ball shot into the roof of the net.

Big Thrill

The goal provided the big thrill of the game. There were two others, both in the closing stages. Ackerman, Clyde's South African inside right, was responsible for one. A big, strong, forcing type of player, although too inclined to individualism, he suddenly released a powerful drive.
The ball was undoubtedly bound for the net, but Curran made a flying dive to the right to edge the ball past with the tips of his fingers.
Buchanan, the Clyde right winger, and McKenna figured in the other incident. The winger had cut in and was getting set to deliver his shot inside the penalty area when he was grassed by the Dons' left back.
It did not look like a penalty. The Shawfield crowd had other ideas, judging by the shout that went up. Some referees might have made a snap decision and given a spot kick. Mr W. Bowman, Motherwell, made no sign.
One often sees better football than Aberdeen and Clyde served up, but seldom have twenty-two players tried harder.

Speed in Tackle

The Dons showed twice as much fight as they did the previous week at Parkhead. If they could guarantee to do the same when Rangers come to Pittodrie this week they would give the champions a shake.
The two outstanding Pittodrie players were in defence and their names were John Curran and Don Emery. The 'keeper has rarely given better service to his club than at Shawfield.
It was Emery's best display of the season. McPhail not seem at all happy on the left wing and the Welshman's speed in the tackle and his clean kicking practically put McPhail out of the game.
On Saturday Anderson was a better wing half-back than Harris. The extreme wingers, Rice and Hather, were more lively and enterprising than in previous games.
Hamilton's play was still short of his best, but he was energetic enough and worked hard, fetching and carrying the ball from defence.

Source: Press & Journal, 24th October 1949

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