East Fife 2 - 0 Aberdeen

THERE is every possibility that Aberdeen F.C. officials will be confronted with two problems when they set about selecting their team to meet Celtic this week.
An X-ray examination revealed that ’keeper Fred Martin has cracked the knuckle-bone of the index finger of his left hand, and he will be out of the game for several weeks.
Alec Young is suffering from strained ligaments in his right ankle and must be regarded a very doubtful starter on Saturday first.
Poor Alec Young is having a rough time. He sustained an injury above the left eye against Airdrie and the eyelid of his right eye was cut at Methil in the first half. It was midway through the second period when he damaged his ankle in a tackle with Matthew, the East Fife left winger.
What will the Dons do with both the 'keeper and Young on the injured list?
Reg Morrison may get his chance against Celtic, but the centre-half berth presents a real problem. Aberdeen have no recognised pivot available. Jimmy Wallace, who is stationed with the R.A.F. at Leuchars, has turned out twice in this position for the reserves, but he joined the Piltodrie club from Banks o’ Dee as a wing half.
Incidentally, Danny Mowat, Aberdeen’s new goalkeeper from Inverness Thistle, reports at Pittodrie this week. 

Mitchell Excels

Martin played throughout the second half at Methil on the left wing, while Smith acted as deputy ‘keeper. But for the re-organisation necessary after the interval as a result of the injuries to Martin and Young, I doubt if the Fifers would have beaten Aberdeen.
The Dons showed twice as much pep on Saturday as they did in the game with Airdrie. The East Fife forwards failed to break down the Pittodrie defence in the first half, when the players were in their normal positions.
Mitchell gave another first-class display at right back and Smith was a much more reliable defender than on his last appearance. The left back also deserves credit for his efforts in goal. The former Sunnybank player had experience as keeper in the juvenile ranks.
Young was doing a good job of work at centre-half until his injury, and Harris and Allister defended gallantly throughout the ninety minutes.

Under Cloud

The Aberdeen forward line is still under a cloud. There was little sign of improvement at Methil. More vigour and dash is needed on the wings. Brown has not hit it off since he came from Falkirk, and Hather can play better than he has been doing in recent games.
Martin was by no means out his depth on the left wing. It seems that the Piltodrie club lost a promising forward and found a 'keeper when the former Carnoustie Panmure inside man decided to concentrate on the goalkeeper's job.
Although he is still a bit raw Jack Dunbar did not do at all badly as leader of the attack. The 23-year-old reserve centre forward was full of dash, but is a trifle lacking in guile.
Representatives of the Stoke City club watched the game at Bayview, and I believe they were interested in Dunbar. As far back as last August, when they were at Tynecastle watching Ken Thomson, the Stoke officials took a liking to the lanky reserve centre. This was Dunbar's first appearance in the Dons' first team.
I don't know if the English club have made any approach to Aberdeen, but I question if the Pittodrie club would be prepared to talk finance. Dunbar has still some way to go yet before he reaches the top class, but he will improve with experience.

Source: Evening Express, 17th August 1953