Aberdeen 0 - 2 Raith Rovers
HT Score: Aberdeen 0 - 2 Raith Rovers
Div 1 (Old)
Raith Rovers scorers: Young 9, Copland 19
28/02/1953 | KO:
Where, Oh Where Was That Fir Park Form?
THE Dons are just about as unpredictable as the weather. Their stock soared after their smashing Cup victory at Motherwell, but it slumped badly against Raith Rovers on Saturday.
Who would have thought that the team which ran rings round the Scottish Cup holders would three days later give such a colourless display against a side fighting desperately to avoid "B" Division football?
There may be an explanation although I cannot think of one—but there is certainly little excuse. If they had played half as well on Saturday as they did at Fir Park they would have won.
Any chance of Aberdeen still becoming involved in the battle for survival would have been dispelled had they taken two points from Raith. Twenty-three poinu is generally regarded as the safety margin.
The Dons are two short of this total and have only three fixtures at Pittodrle - Rangers, Hibs and Queen of the South. Hearts, Motherwell. Falkirk and Celtic have to be tackled away.
Saturday's display was certainly not guaranteed to increase confidence in the Dons' ability to oust Hibs from the Cup at ster Road on Saturday, March 14.
’Ware Hibs
Hibs, on the other hand, gave their goals total a boost wiih a 7-3 win at Airdrie. There is one thing sure and that is that the Aberdeen defence will have to show more skill and pep than they did against Raith Rovers to stop this Hibs scoring machine.
The Dons played as a team at Motherwell and every player pulled his weight. Against Raith, Harry Yorston was the only forward who produced anything approachng the cup-tie form. He was undoubtedly the biggest threat to a grand Kirkcaldy defence.
The Aberdeen forwards were scarcely recognisable as the same line - Glen for Hay was the only change - who went on a six-goal rampage at Fir Park.
Incidentally, Hay unexpectedly turned up at Pittodrie just before the kick-off. He had to report at Hampden Park to-day as twelfth man for the Army in the match against Scotland.
Smart Touches
Glen was good in the air on Saturday and showed some smart touches, but he will have to be sharpened up. Harris and Allister at wing half for Aberdeen, put plenty of "bite" into their play, but they did not reveal the same driving power in attack as they did last Wednesday.
The honours of Saturday’s game went to the Raith Rovers defence, and to Colville at centre-half in particular. Johnstone in goal and McNaught at back were other Kirkcaldy players who took a major role in foiling the Aberdeen forwards.
There is an air of mystery about the Dons’ sudden slump. It must be cleared up before they make the trip to Easter Road.
Eighteen thousand turned out to see them after their sparkling victory against the cup holders. The defeat at the hands of Raith was something of an anti-climax and must have lost them a lot of friends. What is the reason for this marked inconsistency in the Dons’ play?
Source: Evening Express, 2nd March 1953
Who would have thought that the team which ran rings round the Scottish Cup holders would three days later give such a colourless display against a side fighting desperately to avoid "B" Division football?
There may be an explanation although I cannot think of one—but there is certainly little excuse. If they had played half as well on Saturday as they did at Fir Park they would have won.
Any chance of Aberdeen still becoming involved in the battle for survival would have been dispelled had they taken two points from Raith. Twenty-three poinu is generally regarded as the safety margin.
The Dons are two short of this total and have only three fixtures at Pittodrle - Rangers, Hibs and Queen of the South. Hearts, Motherwell. Falkirk and Celtic have to be tackled away.
Saturday's display was certainly not guaranteed to increase confidence in the Dons' ability to oust Hibs from the Cup at ster Road on Saturday, March 14.
’Ware Hibs
Hibs, on the other hand, gave their goals total a boost wiih a 7-3 win at Airdrie. There is one thing sure and that is that the Aberdeen defence will have to show more skill and pep than they did against Raith Rovers to stop this Hibs scoring machine.
The Dons played as a team at Motherwell and every player pulled his weight. Against Raith, Harry Yorston was the only forward who produced anything approachng the cup-tie form. He was undoubtedly the biggest threat to a grand Kirkcaldy defence.
The Aberdeen forwards were scarcely recognisable as the same line - Glen for Hay was the only change - who went on a six-goal rampage at Fir Park.
Incidentally, Hay unexpectedly turned up at Pittodrie just before the kick-off. He had to report at Hampden Park to-day as twelfth man for the Army in the match against Scotland.
Smart Touches
Glen was good in the air on Saturday and showed some smart touches, but he will have to be sharpened up. Harris and Allister at wing half for Aberdeen, put plenty of "bite" into their play, but they did not reveal the same driving power in attack as they did last Wednesday.
The honours of Saturday’s game went to the Raith Rovers defence, and to Colville at centre-half in particular. Johnstone in goal and McNaught at back were other Kirkcaldy players who took a major role in foiling the Aberdeen forwards.
There is an air of mystery about the Dons’ sudden slump. It must be cleared up before they make the trip to Easter Road.
Eighteen thousand turned out to see them after their sparkling victory against the cup holders. The defeat at the hands of Raith was something of an anti-climax and must have lost them a lot of friends. What is the reason for this marked inconsistency in the Dons’ play?
Source: Evening Express, 2nd March 1953
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