ABERDEEN F.C.'s latest line up produced the right result against St Mirren, but they lost a lot of friends by their feeble second half display.
They won, and deservedly so on their first half showing, but the formation could certainly not be written down as a complete success.
Whether the Pittodrie officials will allow this re-modelled eleven a second chance against Hibs at Easter Road this week is anybody's guess.
Few, I imagine, expected both Rodger and Thomson to be dropped into the reserve team at Falkirk on Saturday.
THE match with St Mirren at Pittodrie must have left the football connoisseur dissatisfied, although he was not entitled to complain of lack of incident. The Paisley team lost Crabtree, their 'keeper, who retired with a suspected fracture of the wrist shortly before the interval; they had two cripples in attack in Neilson and Rice; and McKenna, Aberdeen, and Burrell, St Mirren, were ordered off twelve minutes from the finish.
The Dons won the game in the first half and two of their goals were scored before the Mirren ranks were depleted. They were a lively company in this period. The forwards were full of pep and every member of the line was willing to shoot.
They played and looked like a winning team and Yorston's two goals were well taken.
ONCE again, however, Aberdeen introduced the unexpected element. Instead of indulging in a goal riot against the handicapped Saints after the interval they completely lost their sparkle.
Nowhere was the fade out more apparent than at inside forward- Yorston and Harris had been a couple of bright sparks in the first forty-five minutes, but their stock dropped in the second half.
The defence was never in serious difficulties. St Mirren were too busy protecting their own goal to offer a serious challenge.
McKenna did all right at left back, and it was a pity he became involved in that incident with Burrell.
YOUNG still does not appear to be the dominating centre-half he was last season. He has not completely recovered his confidence, although he has lost none of his courage.
A tough element crept into the game. There were too many injuries and too many incidents. Two St Mirren players who deserve a pat on the back for their courageous play in face of heavy odds are Martin, the deputy 'keeper, and Telfer at centre-half.
Source: Evening Express, 10th September 1951