Motherwell 5 - 2 Aberdeen

By NORMAN MacDONALD

IT won’t surprise me if there are changes in the Dons' team to tackle the Hearts sharp-shooters at Pittodrie on Wednesday. Several members of the side at Motherwell must have jeopardised their chances.
The 5-2 defeat is inclined to create the impression that Aberdeen were never in the hunt. This is not correct. The Dons were beaten and they had themselves to blame. Goals were conceded too easily.
First-class scoring chances, however, were scorned. Yorston was the culprit on two occasions and Buckley should have scored shortly before the interval. He appeared to think he was offside and he must now realise that it pays to play to the whistle.
In extenuation Aberdeen’ can claim that Anderson was injured mid-way through the second half and in the last quarter-of-an-hour they played with ten men. Anderson is suffering from a pulled thigh muscle.
I am convinced that the goal which won and lost the match was Motherwell’s third counter after an hour’s play, when the score stood 2-2. It was surely one of the silliest goals the Dons have ever conceded.

Jumped With Joy

A Kilmarnock free-kick from nearly sixty yards out finished in the net. Watson must have thought Thomson was going to take it, but the Dons’ centre-half let the ball go. No wonder Kilmarnock jumped with joy!
Before the loss of this goal there was a chance the game would swing in Aberdeen’s favour. Yet there were one or two soft spots in the Pittodrie team.
I am happy to say. however, that the new men shaped well. Mitchell at right back tackled and kicked soundly against the clever Aitkenhead. Buckley was full of dash and used the ball intelligently, but he did not receive the best of support.
Adjustments will have to made in the Aberdeen team, but it may not take a great deal to transform them into a match-winning side. Wednesday's game may provide the answer.
Watson was not too happy in goal and Shaw was frequently in trouble against the Sloan- Humphries combine. The big Motherwell inside forward was just about the best player afield. 

Thomson Best

Aberdeen's inside forwards disappointed. There is room for improvement here, too. Neither Yorston nor Baird moved into top gear.
Thomson was the Dons’ outstanding player. He played grand defensive football. The centre-half, Mitchell, Buckley and Hather were Aberdeen’s most successful players.
The game was watched by Mr Ted Drake, the Chelsea manager, and his vice-chairman. They had a chat with the Aberdeen F.C. officials, but I understand they made no inquiry about any of the Pittodrie plovers.
Fred Martin, the Dons’ goalkeeper, will be available for the match against Hearts, but Anderson will missing from the line up.

Source: Evening Express, 11th August 1952