Aberdeen 4 - 2 Partick Thistle
HT Score: Aberdeen 0 - 1 Partick Thistle
Div 1 (Old)
Aberdeen scorers: Hamilton 46, Buckley 52, Hamilton 54, Hamilton 90.Partick Thistle scorers: Howii 40, McInnes 59
20/12/1952 | KO:
Easter Road Will Test Capabilities
Writes NORMAN MACDONALD
THERE was an all-round improvement in the play of the Dons’ defence against Partick Thistle. It would be a trifle premature, however, to say that Billy Smith is the answer to the centre-half problem.
He played a strong and useful game against big Alec Stott, and left no obvious gap down the middle. Like his co-defenders, Smith is likely to be under intense fire at Easter Road this week.
Smith is nothing if not enthusiastic and tenacious, and if he succeeds in holding quick-silver Lawrie Reilly this week he will have a right to say that he has established a claim as Aberdeen’s future pivot.
Hibs’ 7-2 victory at Dumfries suggests that their attack has recovered all its old-time dash and penetrative power.
But the Dons will travel to Edinburgh with the proud boast of being the highest scoring combine in the Scottish "A" Division. Hibs rear division is also entitled to anticipate a busy afternoon.
Second Half Burst
It was not until the second half against Partick that the Dons found their feet on the skating-rink surface. The Firhill defenders wilted in face of the three-goal burst in the opening nine minutes.
George Hamilton drew the blueprints of Aberdeen’s success plan. Things didn't go right for the inside man in the first half. Too often his passes went astray, but his goal in the first minute after the interval had a tonic effect on his play.
Just how valuable he is to the team can be gauged from the fact that although he has missed four League games this season he is the leading scorer with thirteen goals.
Fitness Doubt
It to be hoped will be in the Dons’ line-up this week. There is a doubt at the moment. In the first half of Saturday's match he sustained an ankle injury and the limb is badly swollen.
Hamilton reappeared against Partick after a fortnight’s absence as a result fibrositis, and it will be a blow if Saturday’s ankle iniury is responsible for his withdrawal against Hibs.
Smart Touches
It looks as if lan McNeil is more effective as an inside forward than an extreme wing. Again he showed smart touches on Saturday, and given the opportunity, it is possible he may yet adapt his tactics to the outside berth. It is doubtful if he could have any better a mentor than Hamilton.
Jimmy Mitchell made a valuable contribution bv his sound display against Walker. If the Firhill club thought their American-born left winger would have another four-goal romp against the Dons' right back they were very much mistaken. Mitchell pursued his opponent relentlessly.
Veteran Davie Shaw might be criticised for lack of punch in his kicking of the ball, but it was a different matter to fault him in a positional sense on Saturday. This week he will have to contend with his old clubmate, fleet-footed Gordon Smith.
Half-backs Strong
Both Harris and Allister played strongly at wing half, back. The latter excelled in distributing the ball, but for all round effectiveness Harris gets the palm.
I liked the play of Davidson, the Partick Thistle centre-half. His anticipition was first-rate and he refused to get ruffled. Harvey, at right half, and Sharp at inside left, were other Thistle players who created a good impresion.
Source: Evening Express, 22nd December 1952
THERE was an all-round improvement in the play of the Dons’ defence against Partick Thistle. It would be a trifle premature, however, to say that Billy Smith is the answer to the centre-half problem.
He played a strong and useful game against big Alec Stott, and left no obvious gap down the middle. Like his co-defenders, Smith is likely to be under intense fire at Easter Road this week.
Smith is nothing if not enthusiastic and tenacious, and if he succeeds in holding quick-silver Lawrie Reilly this week he will have a right to say that he has established a claim as Aberdeen’s future pivot.
Hibs’ 7-2 victory at Dumfries suggests that their attack has recovered all its old-time dash and penetrative power.
But the Dons will travel to Edinburgh with the proud boast of being the highest scoring combine in the Scottish "A" Division. Hibs rear division is also entitled to anticipate a busy afternoon.
Second Half Burst
It was not until the second half against Partick that the Dons found their feet on the skating-rink surface. The Firhill defenders wilted in face of the three-goal burst in the opening nine minutes.
George Hamilton drew the blueprints of Aberdeen’s success plan. Things didn't go right for the inside man in the first half. Too often his passes went astray, but his goal in the first minute after the interval had a tonic effect on his play.
Just how valuable he is to the team can be gauged from the fact that although he has missed four League games this season he is the leading scorer with thirteen goals.
Fitness Doubt
It to be hoped will be in the Dons’ line-up this week. There is a doubt at the moment. In the first half of Saturday's match he sustained an ankle injury and the limb is badly swollen.
Hamilton reappeared against Partick after a fortnight’s absence as a result fibrositis, and it will be a blow if Saturday’s ankle iniury is responsible for his withdrawal against Hibs.
Smart Touches
It looks as if lan McNeil is more effective as an inside forward than an extreme wing. Again he showed smart touches on Saturday, and given the opportunity, it is possible he may yet adapt his tactics to the outside berth. It is doubtful if he could have any better a mentor than Hamilton.
Jimmy Mitchell made a valuable contribution bv his sound display against Walker. If the Firhill club thought their American-born left winger would have another four-goal romp against the Dons' right back they were very much mistaken. Mitchell pursued his opponent relentlessly.
Veteran Davie Shaw might be criticised for lack of punch in his kicking of the ball, but it was a different matter to fault him in a positional sense on Saturday. This week he will have to contend with his old clubmate, fleet-footed Gordon Smith.
Half-backs Strong
Both Harris and Allister played strongly at wing half, back. The latter excelled in distributing the ball, but for all round effectiveness Harris gets the palm.
I liked the play of Davidson, the Partick Thistle centre-half. His anticipition was first-rate and he refused to get ruffled. Harvey, at right half, and Sharp at inside left, were other Thistle players who created a good impresion.
Source: Evening Express, 22nd December 1952
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