Clyde 2 - 4 Aberdeen

By NORMAN MACDONALD

SCOTTISH football appears to be badly in need of a pick-me-up if Partick Thistle, Hamilton, Airdrie and Clyde provide a fair cross section of the sixteen teams in "A" Division.
Lest it be thought that this is an attempt to play down Aberdeen’s success let me say without equivocation that all four victories have been deserved.
There can be litt:e cause for complaint about a team whose forwards can score sixteen goals in four matches. But is there really a first-class combine in Scotland at the moment?
League form is certainly topsy turvy. Take Saturday's results— Hibs beaten at home by Partick. Rangers down at home to Hearts and Queen of the South, one of the Cinderella clubs, out on their own at the top of the table.
Certainly these results seem to suggest a general levelling up amongst the clubs, but does it indicate on improvement in the standard of play? very much doubi it.

First Away Goal

Saturday’s victory at Shawfield was the Dons' first League success away from home and Buckley's opening goal was the first netted away from Pittodrie.
Clyde were a poor team. They claimed most of the play and all they had to show for it at the finish was two unspectacular goals.
The forwards were the guilty men, although the defenders had no particular reason for being proud of their display.
It wasn't that the Dons were brilliant company, but they had the pull over Clyde insofar as ability to snap scoring chances was concerned.

Quick and Direct

The Pittodrie forwards were quick and direct on the move. In contrast, the Clyde front rank played too closely and frittered away goal-scoring opportunities by refusing the responsibility for delivering the final shot.
Admittedly they were unlucky on several occasions. As a matter of fact, it looked odds on Clyde gaining the equaliser when Hather notched Aberdeen's fourth goal twelve minutes from the end.
The loss of this goal wrote finis to their challenge and during the remaining play Hather and Leggat (twice) might, with touch of luck, have scored for the Dons.

Over Anxious

Harry Yorston, who was the magnet for Mr Les McDowall and two of the Manchester City directors, had an unfortunate match. It seemed to me that the inside man, who is keen to change his quarters, was overanxious to put up a good show.
Although I understand the English club made no approach lo Aberdeen F.C. this does not necessarily mean they have lost interest in Yorston.
Buckley was the Dons' best forward at Shawfield. The centre was in his liveliest mood and time and again he beat Campbell on the ground. The Clyde pivot will not recall this game with much pleasure.
Much of the danger in the Aberdeen attack came from the extreme wingers, Hather and Leggat. Their quick-fire raids kept the Clyde defenders on tenterhooks and the fact that three of the four goais came from this pair testifies to their ability.

Defence Steady

Although the Clyde attackers contributed to their own downfall by their tactics near goal, the Pittodrie defence played steadily. I have seen Mitchell more assertive, but the right back probably needed this game to find his feet after three weeks' absence.
Aitken played coolly in his first appearance in the League side and Smith can point to the fact that Buchanan, the Clyde centre-forward, failed to find the net.
Aberdeen's personality player in the rear division was once again Glen. The left half has never looked back since he got chance in the first team.

Source: Evening Express, 2nd November 1953