Queen of the South 1 - 0 Aberdeen

For the second week in succession the Dons had to return north with nothing to show for their efforts. The players had to fight against a Hearts team a fortnight ago playing really great football, but last Saturday they must have felt like kicking themselves after the game with Queen of the South, for they lost to a team inferior to the Dons in all departments on the day's play. Once the Dumfries team got their goal, of course, they were a different company, but long before that happened the Dons should have had the game well won. On the run of play Aberdeen might have been leading at the interval by three or four goals, but they didn't take the chances offered them and had to pay the penalty. The only real shot of the game came from Jack Hather, who early in the first half came racing past two defenders and sent in a terrific left foot drive. It looked to be a certain goal, but Henderson (the same fellow who "guested" for us during the war) shot out his hands and tipped the ball over the bar for a corner. If he did see the ball coming, then Henderson had brought off a magnificent save!!
The South-West corner of Scotland had had a severe snowstorm on the previous day and although the pitch had been cleared of snow, the surface at Palmerston Park was treacherous. Conditions were all in favour of a player of Johnstone's style, and the veteran winger took full advantage of his one chance to score a good goal after swerving past two Dons' defenders. A disappointing day for the Dons !

Source: Match Programme v Motherwell 17th December 1949

The forwards were responsible for the Dons' defeat at Dumfries.
The only thing about them that had any suggestion of danger was the colour of their shirts.

They should have had the match won in the first half. In this period Queen of the South were fumbling blindly and desperately for the escape route from relegation.
The Dons looked as if they would win. It proved a case of appearances being deceptive. The forwards could plan their way to the penalty area all right, and then they went all coy.
Where the threat of a gun was needed, all the Pittodrie forwards could produce was a feather duster.
It is an indictment against the Aberdeen attackers that during the entire game it is possible to recall only two shots that had Henderson, the Queen of the South goalkeeper, in trouble.
The first came from Hather. He streaked in from the wing to release a wonder shot, but Henderson effected an equally wonderful save.
Anderson was responsible for the second - a deceptive curling shot from the wing that would have stolen into the net between the junction of the post and crossbar had the 'keeper not pawed it away in the nick of time.

Hather Likeable

Hather was Aberdeen's most likeable forward, but he did not have to be particularly brilliant to lay claim to that honour. It was a pity that he did not get more of the ball.
Baird had a poor game; Yorston "disappeared" after a bright opening half hour; Hamilton was subdued by Waldie, and it is doubtful if Kiddie will provide the answer to the right-wing problem.
The line as a whole must find some more penetrative power or more points will be lost than are gained.
The Aberdeen defence is due sympathy. The rearguard played well. They did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Most of the danger moves by Queen of the South came from the extreme wings. Mackinnon and Johnston, however, were generally kept at arm's length by McKenna and Emery.
Waddell was master of the middle. Houliston, Scotland's leader, completely failed to shake off the ever-attentive centre half.

Confidence,/p> Anderson and Harris urged on the attack in vain. In the opening period the right half was the strongest and most stylish half back afield.
Queen of the South, until they got the goal, looked as if they would be more than grateful for a point. They developed confidence with the arrival of Johnston's goal.
This victory will renew hope in Dumfries, but the team needs a blood transfusion. They visit Ibrox and Parkhead during the next fortnight, and they are not likely to find Rangers and Celtic as generous as Aberdeen.
The one bright spot in the game was the all-important goal by the veteran left winger Charlie Johnston. With seventy minutes played he picked up a pass from Mackinnon well downfield. The Aberdeen defenders were evidently under the impression that he would part with the ball, but he shot through on his own in great style to beat Watson. It was a brilliant solo effort.
Queen of the South had intended fielding their new right winger Len Wootton, from the Cheshire League club Northwich Victoria, but the formalities of registration were not completed in time. Mackinnon, who deputised, gave a good display.

Source: Press & Journal, 12th December 1949