Aberdeen 3 - 2 Clyde

By NORMAN MACDONALD

ALTHOUGH the Dons beat Clyde I doubt if the line-up will be the same against Partick Thistle this week. For one thing, George Hamilton should have recovered from his attack of fibrositis.
Saturday’s game was the type in which Hamilton’s ability to hold the ball might have proved invaluable.
Not that Yorston was a failure. He has been fighting for couple of months to regain his form in the reserve team and it was obvious he was anxious to do well on Saturday.
Yorston certainly could not be accused of monopolising the ball. In fact, there were occasions when it would have proved more profitable for him to hang on to it.
He has been the centre oif a fierce controversy amongst Aberdeen football enthusiasts during the past couple of seasons. I was happy to see him receive such a sporting reception from the crowd. With encouragement Yorston, still a young man, is capable of recovering his best form.

Defence Suspect

Hamilton's return, assuming he is fit, may not be the only change in the Aberdeen team this week. The play of the defence is still not satisfactory.
Clyde, well as the Dons, have grounds for uneasiness about their defensive set up.
Anderson, who displaced Young, is a recognised wing half-back and it is questionable if Aberdeen will succeed in transforming him into a centre half-back.
He certainly did not appear happy or confident in the role of stopper, hard though he tried. There seems little donbt that right half is his best position.
The Aberdeen backs too, had an anxious time and Mitchell, in particular, found Ring an active and elusive opponent.

Martin Shines

Full marks to Martin for his latest display. His acrobatic leaps to save headers from Buchanan and McPhail in the second half were highlights of the match. The second attempt, from the Clyde centre in the gloom of the closing stages, was a real life-saver for the Dons.
Harris and Allister were a couple of hard working wing half-backs.
The former Chelsea middleman is improving and played aggressive football on Saturday. He showed he can crack a dead ball by scoring from a free kick.

Disappointing

Both the Aberdeen and Clyde forwards were a bit disappointing. They have built a reputation for themselves as the most successful scoring combines in "A" Division and perhaps we expected too much from them.
High-power play from both forward-lines came only in flashes. The experiment of plavlng McNeiil on the extreme wine could neither be acclaimed nor condemned. he did well enough to deserve another chance.
The pocket size inside forward did some clever things, but will have to overcome a not unnatural tendency to put too much work on the ball.

Source: Evening Express, 15th December 1952

Scout at Pittodrie

Wolves' chief scout was a spectator at the Aberdeen-Clyde match. Harry Yorston's name has been associated with the visit, but if this is the case the Aberdeen officials have no knowledge of it.
The probability is that Billy McPhail. the Clyde leader, for whom the Shawfield club will consider offers, was the attraction for the English club