Aberdeen 8 - 0 Stirling Albion

Aberdeen and Stirling Albion relied on their winning combinations of a week ago. A former "Don," in Archie Kelly led the Albion attack. The first thrill came at Albion's end, where Jenkins just beat Leggat in a race for a passback from Whitehead. The keeper was in action a minute later to a low shot from Hamilton. Stirling were quick to reply, and an Albion effort went narrowly past. Both sides were finding control of the ball difficult on the greasy ground, but play, nevertheless, was fast. A quick thrust by the "Dons" attack saw a fierce shot from Hather blocked by Whitehead, and then Buckley sent high over. In 22 minutes HAY gave Aberdeen the lead after a scrimmage in the goalmouth. In 24 minutes the Dons went further ahead as the result of a BUCKLEY solo effort. The centre gained possession on the left, beat Ferguson, and ran on to round the 'keeper and send into the net. Aberdeen were now making the running, and Buckley from close range drove against the 'keeper. The home wing halves were forcing on play, and Milligan, and Whitehead were prominent in a harassed Albion defence. Stirling fought back gamely, however, and following a "free" against Glen a header was cleared on the goal-line by Young. Five minutes from the interval, LEGGAT brough the Dons' total to three from a Buckley slip, and three minutes later HATHER got a fourth after good work by Buckley.

Half Time: Aberdeen, 4, Stirling Albion, 0

Aberdeen were quickly on the attack and Hay brought out Jenkins' capabilities with a fine shot. The Aberdeen attack carried plenty of punch.
BUCKLEY went waltzing down the middle after picking up a loose ball to beat Jenkins, and two minutes later HATHER rounded three men to bring the Dons' total to six with a shot that gave Jenkins no chance. The Dons were in command with the wingers giving the Stirling defence a lot of trouble. Nice work by Leggat and Hay finished with Jenkins saving smartly from Hather. In the twenty third minute of the second half BUCKLY scored his third goal from a Hay pass, and 16 minutes from the close LEGGAT brought the Dons' total to eight.

Source: Evening Times, 26th December 1953

NOW DONS, MAKE IT A HAPPY NEW YEAR
by Norman MacDonald

IT has been a Merry Christinas for the Dons. I wonder if they can make it a Happy New Year!

In successive weeks tney have turned on a scintillating brand of football to beat St Mirren and Stirling Albion. On his form they are entitled to travel to Dundee on Friday with every confidence.
If they can beat their old rivals and take two points from Celtic at Pittodrie on Saturday, I won't be surprised to find them challenging for the "A" Division leadership.
The unexpected is happening so frequently this season in Scottish football that the Dons may discover they have lost a glorious chance of winning their first league flag.

If-

How they must regret the loss of the points to St Mirren and Dundee at Pittodrie in the opening matches of the league campaign, and their more recent defeat against Hamilton Accies at Douglas Park.
The records show that it is as long ago as 1947 since the Dons scored eight goals or more in a game. They rattled in nine against Queen of the South at Pittodrie on September 13, 1947, in the League Cup competition. The nine-goal spree enabled them to pip Motherwell for a place in the knock-out stages.
It is interesting to recall that the scorers that day were Hamilton (4), Williams (3), Baird and Millar. George is, of course, still a Don, Williams is coaching in Malta. Baird is with SI Johnstone, and Millar is playing for Gillingham.

Hamilton Again

The same year Aberdeen beat Ayr United 8-0 in the second round of the Scottish Cup at Piltodrie. Hamilton was again prominent as a marksman, claiming a hat-trick, while Harris also had three and Botha and Williams one each.
Hamilton was the only Aberdeen forward on Saturday who failed to find the net, but the inside right nevertheless played his part in the Dons' rollicking success.
The entire forward line moved with a buoyancy and cohesion which seemed to leave the Stirling defenders immobile at times in the second half. It was an exhilarating display of team-work and goal-scoring ability.
Leading light was Buckley, who has probably not revealed such ball skill and opportunism since he came to Pittodrie from St Johnstone.
Hather and Leggat, with two goals each, were agile and effective. The left winger was opposed to a sound defender in Ferguson, but the Stirling man made the mistake of lying too far upfield against the speedy Halher. His association with Hamilton is going to prove beneficial to young Graham Leggat.

Merry Dance

Hay was seen to advantagein the second half, when he led the Albion defence a merry dance with his clever footwork.
The Aberdeen half backs played as valuable a part in the eight goals victory as the forwards. They secured a stranglehold on the opposlng inside trio after the first half hour and Alllster and Glen formed a first-class liaison with their attackers.
Chalmers on the right wing was the only Stirling forward who presented the Dons' defence with any real trouble, but for the most part he was left by his team-mates to play a lone hand.

Source: Evening Express, 28th December 1953