Aberdeen 2 - 1 Rangers

Delaney Adds Dynamite To Aberdeen Front Line

Edited by NORMAN MacDONALD

TRUST the Dons to do the unexpected. There was a good deal of head-shaking amongst their supporters before the Rangers game last night, after their recent displays.
With a "new" team and a new approach to the job they beat the Light Blues 2-1 at Pittodrie. This victory may not transform them into a championship side, but it should help to restore the waning confidence of the players and the club supporters.
Rangers have no cause for complaint with the result. The Dons refused to allow the loss of an early goal to unsettle them and deserved to win for their fighting second half.

THE Aberdeen forwards cerfainly could not be accused of being afraid shoot last night. They had more attempts at goal against Rangers in the first half than they had during the entire ninety minutes at Methil and Dumfries.
Many of them were off the target, but it was a pleasure to see them have a go.
The daddy of them all last night was Jimmy Delaney. Deputising for George Hamilton at centre-forward the old Manchester United warrior added dynamite to the attack.
He scored the equalising goal himself - and a neat affair it was - and provided the opening for Hugh Hay to crash home the second thirteen minutes from the end.

RANGERS were on the target in five minutes. The winger beat Emery, evaded a tackle by Thomson nd sent the ball low across the goalmouth for Simpson to find the net.
lt took Aberdeen thirty-three minutes to make it all square. A free kick by Emery was partially cleared, but Harris gained possession and sent goalwards. Delaney flashed into action and cutely nicked the ball past Brown with the side of his foot.
When Yorston' lying well back, sent the ball ahead during he second half the Dons' leader leaped nimbly to beat Woodburn in the jump. Delaney recovered quickly and thrust the ball through to the unmarked Hay, who raced ahead to make the most of his opportunity.

HATHER and Hay proved quite a lively combination after the interval. The winger did not fall into the trap of trying to be clever against Young. He got the ball into the middle before the kingpin of the Ibrox defence could prevent him.
Hay was eager and willing and is obviously benefiting from the experience in the first team. The only place he will gain the necessary polish is in top grade football.
The same applies to Alan Rodger. The reserve left back was faced by one the cleverest and most elusive right wingers in Scotland in Willie Waddell. He was baffled his opponent on several occasions, bur he was far from disgraced and deserves to retain his place.

IF Delaney was the live wire in attack, Kenny Thomson was the the star in defence. The tall centre-half was in command in the middle and last night was no whit inferior to Woodburn, who holds the position for Scotland.
Martin is still playing with a coolness and confidence that will surely bring him iinto the reckoning for a cap. Brown, another candidate Cowan's place, played soundly enough but he did not inspire the same confidence as the Dons' 6ft 3in. 'keeper.

The Dons' display was by no means flawless, but they did a good job. Now they have found the winning formula perhaps they will be given the chance to settle and prove that last night's victory was no flash in the pan.

Source: Evening Express, 3oth August, 1951

Baird hero in fine Aberdeen victory

Hero of Aberdeen's victory at Pittodrie was long-striding Archie Baird, who played for over 70 minutes with a suspected broken nose after taking a kick in the face. He came straight back after treatment behind the line, pulled the Aberdeen forward line together and ended by heading the safety goal. It was a great triumph for Aberdeen, who were clearly the better team - but don't let anybody tell you it was a classic. Unless there is a freak upset on Saturday Rangers have failed to reach the quarter finals for the first time in the history of the League Cup.

On last night's showing they have got to make a vast improve¬ment if they hope to qualify for anything else. I have never seen the Ibrox side poorer. Their wing half-backs failed to get a grip at the start and the rot spread. Aberdeen were not much better in the first half, but hit crisper form after the interval. Baird will have an X-ray today. Rangers made a jittery start and I thought were lucky to survive a penalty appeal when Young pushed Yorston.

Parted too soon

Not that Aberdeen deserved a goal for their pressure - they had plenty of the ball but were afraid to hold it. Rangers looked more like taking the lead, first when Findlay stabbed in one of his dangerous shots and then when Martin had to go down to a powerful drive from Cox. I was waiting to see something of the old Waddell, but he was as uninspired as the rest.

The lack of noise from the 42,000 crowd was a good pointer to the sluggish quality of the game. There was never anything approaching a roar until two minutes from the interva1 when Brown had to snatch the ball from Yorston's feet. It had been Aberdeen's half-but they had failed to realise it. First thrill after half-time came unintentionally from Davie Shaw, who passed back to a goalkeeper who wasn't there. Martin had to make a flying dive to catch up the ball. He made another five minutes later to push out Waddell's first real shot.

Two quick ones

Ten minutes after the interval came a goal for Aberdeen - and a queer one at that. Hather didn't look at all menacing when he took a pass from Anderson 30 yards out, but he let fly through a bunch of defenders. It looked an easy pick-up for Brown, but the ball bounced and broke past his legs into the net. Six minutes later Baird headed Aberdeen's second goal. Then Brown had to go full length to another header, this time from Hamilton.

Source: John Ayres, News Chronicle, 31st August 1951