Airdrie 4 - 3 Aberdeen

THE defence must shoulder the blame for the Dons’ 4-3 defeat at Airdrie last night. Goals were conceded too cheaply.
The forwards did their part. They would be justified in claiming that they did enough to earn a draw at least by scoring three goals.
The Aberdeen half-backs had an unhappy match at Broomfield, and Young, in particular will recall this game with little pleasure. The centre-half seemed to have lost his usual nippiness and confidence.
The issue is now clear cut so far as the Dons are concerned. They must beat East Fite at Pittodrie on Saturday to qualify for the match-play stages of the League Cup.
Even then it could come to question of goal average. If Airdrie win at Parkhead they could equal Aberdeen in points, but the Pittodrie side have the better goal average in spite of the generosity of the defene last night.

Almost--

The Dons almost pulled off draw at Broomfield. It looked as if they would succeed when Yorston headed a dandy equaliser ten minutes from the end. It must be admitted, however, that McMillan's winner three minutes later was a tip-top effort.
Deputy 'keeper Morrison is gaining confidence. The finger of suspicion might be pointed at him when the third goal was lost, but he put up a first-rate show in the second half. His penalty save from M'Millan at the start of the second half. His penalty save from McMillan at the start of the second half was warmly applauded by the Airdrie crowd.
Mitchell played soundly at right back, but young Caldwell had a busy and anxious ninety minutes against the clever and elusive Quigley.
Give the left back his due, however, even although he was overworked he never shirked his job.
More will be heard of Quigley, a skilful touchline artist, who was signed from Broxburn as centre-forward.

Clever Football

The Pittodrie atack was weak at centre-forward and outside right, yet they contrived to produce some clever football. Hamilton and Yorston were particularly active, and Hather was in dangerous mood in the first half.
Smith did not hit it off as leader of the front line, but the player can hardly be blamed for that. He was drafted to the middle in the absence of Buckley through injury. Smith tried hard enough, but is more at home in defence than in attack.
Fifteen minutes from the end, when he and Hamilton changed places, the attack developed more "bite." It is perhaps a pity the switch wasn't made earlier.
Hamilton was the leading light amongst the forwards and his shrewd distribution had much to do with the success of the line. He was well backed by Yorston, who scored two clever goals. 
Dunbar was most subdued last night and was held on a tight rein by Cross. Five of the seven goals were scored in the opening twenty-four minutes. Airdrie struck first when Baird was brought down in the penalty area by Allister and McMillan netted from the spot.
Four minutes later the Dons equalised when Yorston ran through from a Smith flick to pick his spot in the net.
In eleven minutes Quigley made Airdrie's second goal with a neat run and cross, which Baird headed into the net.
The Broomfield right-wing starlet claimed the third goal when he cut in from a pass from Cairns to drive the ball into the far side of the net.
Aberdeen's second goal came from Hather. He crashed the ball home from close range as it came over from the right.
Two minutes after the start of the second half a pass back by Allister caused a mix up in the Aberdeen defence which finished with Young saving with his hands on the goal-line.
Morrison smartly anticipated McMillan's spot kick and brought off a full-length save.
The game showed one thing and that is that there will have to be a tightening up in defence against East Fife if the Dons are to figure in the quarter finals.

Source: Evening Express, 27th August 1953