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Aberdeen 2 - 1 Clydebank

HT Score: Aberdeen 2 - 1 Clydebank

Scottish Cup Second Round
Aberdeen scorers: Forrest 5, Robb 32.
Clydebank scorers: McGhee 11

11/02/1970 | KO: 19:30

Dons Struggle Through

There was almost a sensation in the opening seconds. A long upfield punt by Henning Boel saw Hay attempt a pass back but the left half had reckoned without Forrest who raced through to flick the ball just outside the post, writes Norman MacDonald. Robb seemed to handle the ball in a break up the left but the referee made no sign and the inside right squared for Hamilton to first time the ball wide. The Dons' plan of battle was obviously to take the "steam" out of Clydebank with an early goal and the traffic was all towards the visiting goal. The vital opening goal duly arrived in the fifth minute. Hamilton lobbed a long ball up the middle. Right half Ruddy missed it on the bounce and JIM FORREST nipped in smartly to place the ball wide of the keeper into the net.

FAMINE OVER

It was Forrest's first goal since November 29, when he scored at Kilmarnock. Clydebank moved the ball well at times but Bobby Clark was not called upon to make a save in the first ten minutes, and he still hadn't handled the ball one minute later when the visitors equalised! It was a quiet affair but the Dons' defence were caught off balance. O'Brien made ground on the left and when he side-footed the ball into the middle, inside left TOMMY McGHEE, standing in splendid isolation, had no problem in sending into the net. The Dons were back in square one. Both teams found it difficult to control the ball on the frozen ground although sand had been sprinkled liberally on the surface.

CLARK TO THE RESCUE

Clydebank almost snatched the lead when O'Brien, anticipating a Kirkland attempt to head the ball back to Clark, raced ahead and must have been disappointed to see his lob strike the advancing Clark. Clydebank were taking a more active share of the attacking and in 25 minutes only a fine save by Clark prevented a Caskie shot lodging in the Aberdeen net after an O'Brien free kick. Aberdeen had still to get control, but they made a move in the right direction by regaining the lead in 32 minutes. It was Forrest who created the opening. He raced 35 yards up the right, outpaced the left back Gray and cut the ball back for DAVE ROBB to side foot it into the net from close range. The traffic continued towards McDonald's goal and all the Dons needed to clinch their passage into round three was another goal. But the young Clydebank players were full of running and as expected most of the danger stemmed from O'Brien and Caskie. The visiting defence looked vulnerable under pressure, particularly through the middle, but the Dons failed to add to their total before the interval.

FINE SAVE

In the second minute of injury time McDonald made another fine save when Forrest first-timed a Hamilton cross. Hamilton almost got the all-important third goal in the opening stages of the second half with a clever interception and an accurate drive but McDonald was equal to the call. The Dons came again and Murray made ground on the right and crossed for Harper to volley the cross over the Clydebank crossbar. Aberdeen were overdue to take the game by the scruff of the neck and shake off the Second Division challenge. Two corners on the left for the Dons produced nothing tangible.

FROZEN GROUND

The frozen ground produced an additional gamble and the Dons, with more at stake, were obviously more worried by the conditions than the New Kilbowie Park side. McDonald had to look lively to collect a Harper header from a Willoughby corner. Clydebank, however, were not content to accept a passive role and several raids had the home defence worried. The fact of the matter was that Clydebank looked as likely to equalise as the Dons did to get the elusive deciding goal. Even allowing for the dicey conditions, Aberdeen were far from convincing. There were times when it was difficult to decide which was the First Division side. With 10 minutes to go Clydebank substituted McMillan for McGhee. Such was the frustration of the Aberdeen crowd that they started to cheer when the visitors went on the attack.

DESPERATE

In a desperate bid to ensure victory Aberdeen attacked desperately, and on one occasion Harper, sitting on the ground, hooked the ball past the far post. In the dying minutes it was Clydebank who carried the greater threat, and Aberdeen players and official must have been happy to hear the sound of the final whistle.

This match led to the Dons playing in an unusual strip as the referee insisted that the Clydebank strip with red diagonal "sash" would clash with Aberdeen's all red. For some reason the Aberdeen change strip was unsuitable so a set of kit was borrowed from a local junior club (possibly Lewis United thanks to Teddy Scott's contacts) - the shirt design being blue and white vertical stripes.

The press were critical of the referee for imposing this change, particulary as he went on to permit Bobby Clark to wear a black jersey which was in breach of SFA rules as it was not on the list of allowed colours for goalkeepers.

The local paper said: Black Mark Against Colour-conscious Ref!

Referee Wilson decided last night that the colours of the Pittodrie teams clashed. As a result Clydebank turned out in their registered colours of white with a red diagonal stripe, and black pants, while the Dons played in blue and white vertical stripes.
The man in the middle didn't follow the SFA competition rules about goalkeepers, however, and he allowed Bobby Clark to wear a black jersey, although Rule 11 is quite explicit - goalkeepers shall wear a deep yellow, scarlet or emerald green jersey or sweater.

Source: Press & Journal, 12th February 1970

This Scottish Cup match was played in midweek as snow had caused a postponement at the weekend. The home team gave an inept display and the Aberdeen fans in the 13,000 crowd cheered Clydebank's efforts to equalise! This game was the last occasion these two clubs met in the national trophy and? it may be a good omen ? the Dons went on to win the cup, beating Celtic 3-1 at Hampden.

Aberdeen almost scored in the opening seconds when a long, upfield punt by Henning Boel saw Hay attempt a pass back without realising how close Jim Forrest was and the striker flicked the ball narrowly past the post. In the opening minutes the traffic was all one-way and it was no surprise when the Dons scored in five minutes, Jim Hamilton lobbed the ball and Forrest nipped in smartly to place the ball well out of the keeper's reach. The Bankies reacted immediately and began to move the ball around. In the 11th minute Bobby Clark touched the ball for the first time ? when he picked it up from the back of the net! The defence was caught off balance and O'Brien's pass was netted by McGhee.
The frozen ground, liberally sanded, was making football a bit of a lottery and was working against the better skills of the home team. Clydebank were battling and O'Brien and Caskie both gave Clark a fright with good efforts. Aberdeen were struggling to gain control but they were given a boost in 32 minutes when they regained the lead. Forrest raced up the wing for about 40 yards, outpacing Gray, and Davie Robb side-footed the cut-back into the net. Now the visitors' defence was looking vulnerable as the Dons chased the vital third goal to clinch the tie.

HALF TIME 2-1

Forrest and Hamilton both almost scored but McDonald saved well. Then George Murray crossed for Joe Harper to volley over. Next came two fruitless corners as Aberdeen pressed on the accelerator. The dropping temperature was making the pitch even more hazardous and this factor was upsetting the Dons and their fans who were by now voicing their discontent.
Harper had a good header well saved but Clydebank were now just as likely to score as Aberdeen. The forwards were not receiving a good supply of passes from the midfielders and the defence was having difficulty in coping with O'Brien and Caskie.
Harper was the only attacker on target for Aberdeen and he narrowly missed with two excellent attempts, Clydebank finished as the more likely winners and the Dons left the field to the jeers of the home support.

Source: Match Programme, 6th March 1993

N.B.This match was rearranged from 7th February and the programme printed for that date was issued with that date rather than for the day of the game.
Clydebank Teamsheet
McDonald; Mitchell, Gray; Ruddy, Fallon, Hay; Caskie, Love, Munro, McGhee (McMillan 80), O'Brien
Attendance: 13,100
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: R. K. Wilson, Glasgow
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21 Dec 2024 / 15:00 / Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen