Aberdeen 1 - 1 Third Lanark

Attack Poor At Ibrox
By NORMAN MACDONALD

THE Dons failed in their first attempt against Third Lanark to reach the Scottish Cup final. The fault lay mainly with the forwards. They had lost, temporarily I hope, the art of goal-scoring.
Aberdeen can still provide the opposition to Rangers in the last stage providing the men of the front rank recover some of their zip. Wednesday, Ibrox Park, 4 p.m. is the day, venue and time of the kick-off in the replay.
The fact that the Dons didn’t make the grade on Saturday came as a big disappointment, but there is no reason for pessimism. There is bound to be improvement in the play of the forwards. I can scarcely imagine them being less virile than was the case on Saturday.
Without the speedy, dashing and tireless Buckley the attack would have been a poor affair, indeed.
The centre-forward was the one bright spark and his never-say-die spirit brought its reward in the shape of the first goal.
Now that Rangers are in the final the winners of the Aberdeen-Third Lanark tie qualify tor the Coronation tournament and will meet Newcastle at Ibrox Park on Wednesday. May 13.

Wrong Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Ibrox on Saturday was all wrong. I have seen far more excitement at an ordinary League match. The fact that there was a crowd of only 18,000 and an amazingly quiet crowd at that, may have had its effect on the players.
Certainly the breath-taking and pulsating excitement usually associated with a cup semi-final tie was completely missing.
From the Aberdeen point of view the main questions at the moment are : Will Hamilton be fit and, if not, will Hay be available for the replay?
There is just a chance that Hamilton will be in the line-up on Wednesday. His ankle injury has shown marked improvement during the week-end and the swelling has disappeared.
Hay is not due to report back to his army unit until Thursday morning, the chances are he will be available.

be fit and, not. will Hay be available for the replay ? There is just a chance that Hamilton will be in the line-up on Wednesday. His ankle injury has shown marked improvement during the week-end and the swelling has disappeared. Hay is not due to report back to his army unit until Thursday morning, the chances are he will be available.

Shaw Injured

The only other "hangover" from Saturday's game is that Shaw, the star performer in defence, injured his knee in the second half. The damage, however, is not expected to prove serious enough to keep him out of the replay.
It would be a bad blow if the Dons' skipper was missing Wednesday, for he played with great skill and shrewdness on Saturday.
As a matter of fact the entire Aberdeen rear division played stoutly, although there appeared to be a slight misunderstanding between Young and Martin when Third Lanark equalised.
Allister showed up well without touching peak form, but Harris was not the same forceful player we saw in the previous rounds. The right half did not seem to be thoroughly tuned up following his injury.

Far from Brilliant

Third Lanark started shakily, but gained in confidence as they realised that the Dons, in spite of their cup record, were not unbeatable. Thirds, however, are far from being a brilliant company, and the Aberdeen team in one of their brighter moods should have the beating of them in Wednesday’s replay.

Source: Evening Express, 6th April 1953