Aberdeen 0 - 5 Heart of Midlothian

Could Not Cope with Clever Hearts Attack
BAULD CELEBRATES
By NORMAN MACDONALD

WILLIE BAULD issued a warning to Neil Franklin, England's centre half, by the deft and astute manner in which he snapped his scoring chances at Pittodrie on Saturday.

The Hearts leader celebrated the announcement of his promotion to the Scottish team registering a hat-trick against the Dons.
The news from the Aberdeen point of view is not so cheerful. The fact that they were beaten 5-0 by the Tynecastle team strengthens the view that the defence needs strengthening before next season.
The Dons' defenders completely failed to cope with a lively and clever Hearts forward line in the second half. On the few occasions the Edinburgh attack got cracking against the wind in the first period the Aberdeen rearguard seemed shaky. These doubts were turned to certainty after the interval.
The Aberdeen forward line was not of the same calibre as the Hearts attack, but in justice to them it must be admitted that they were unlucky with some their goal-scoring efforts.
Three of the best saves of the match were made, not by Watters the Hearts goalkeeper, but by McKenzie, their left back. In the first half he cleared scoring shots from Hamilton and Pearson off the goal-line and after the interval he stopped a header by the Dons' leader that was on its way into the net.

Pearson Drive

To complete the Aberdeen picture of frustration, a terrific shot by Pearson in the first half came rocketing back into play off the underside of the crossbar.
While the Aberdeen attack was not altogether convincing, major responsibility for the heavy defeat must rest with the defence. The Pittodrie backs and half backs were not comparable with their opposite numbers in the Edinburgh team, either in positional play or covering up.
In front, Hamilton and Rodger caught the eye most consistently. The centre worked like a Trojan. It was a pity he did not have the consolation of scoring at least one goal.
The recruit from Forfar gave a promising display in the first half. He should make the grade. Hather created the impression that he would be more effective on the left than on the right wing.

Wardhaugh's Goal

The first crack appeared in the Aberdeen defence after thirty-three minutes' play. There was a general mix-up when Wardhaugh banged the ball into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Bauld scored the first of his three goals four minutes after the start of the second half. He pounced on the ball when Emery failed to clear, and his hook shot glanced off the far post into the net.
No. 2 by the Hearts leader was the result of another blunder.
First Emery lost possession to Liddell and then Harris failed to clear. Bauld was on the spot to send the ball past the advancing Watson into the net.
In sixty-three minutes he completed his hat-trick when he rose to head home a cross from Sloan. Flavell claimed the fifth. He raced through to net from a slip from Bauld.

Source: Press & Journal, 10th April 1950