Raith Rovers 0 - 1 Aberdeen

Thriller

One report suggested that the fare at Stark's Park last Saturday was rather poor. Don't you believe it! Although doubtless disappointing from a Kirkcaldy point of view, the game had everything - especially in the second half - everything except goals - but thrills galore!

No Penalty

Just on half-time, Raith Rovers were awarded a penalty against the Dons - a shocking decision! A Raith forward had raced to shoot for goal. Two Dons defenders rushed to intercept and Fred Martin ran from his goal. As the Raith man shot there couldn't have been more than three yards separating the four players. The ball struck goalkeeper Martin and shot at right angles, touching the arm of the oncoming Ken Brownlee. Ken was powerless to prevent the ball striking his arm, but the ball was going away from the goal and was hardly deflected at all - yet the referee awarded a penalty! (fortunately missed!)

They Stayed to Cheer

There were boos when Fred Martin was hurt and the referee stopped play - then jeers as "Swift" Davidson dealt heroically if somewhat awkwardly at times, with the Raith attempts for goal. The home supporters who had rushed to the "bottom" goal to see the "fireworks" and had begun by treating "Swift" as a joke, realised how effective he was and sportingly ended by cheering him again and again.

Unusual

Midway through the second half the referee at the Kirkcaldy game gave Raith Rovers an indirect free kick eight yards out from the middle of the Aberdeen goal. Eight Dons lined up on the goal-line along with three home players! The ball was passed forward, another Raith player shot for goal and the ball was eventually "scrambled" away. Should not the referee have blown for offside against the three Raith players on the goal-line?

Source: Match Programme, 7th December 1957