Aberdeen 4 - 4 Stoke City

The crowd, reported as 12,000 in one paper but 17,000 in another, enjoyed a thrilling match and were uplifted by the Aberdeen performance, many saying that they had seen the best football from the Dons in a couple of years. Leggat scored with a header from a Glen cross after King had put the visitors in front. After only 15 minutes of play the score went in Aberdeen's favour when Glen banged home a penalty kick and after half an hour the same player made it 3-1 with a fierce 20-yarder. King pulled one back for Stoke but Billy Smith scored from a Leggat cross from the bye-line. Oscroft pulled it back to 4-3 and near the end a penalty conceded by Mitchell (only a few days after conceding three at Celtic Park in a league match) was scored by Mountford.

Source: Alan Esslemont scrapbook 1953-54

Dons Half-Backs Play Well
By NORMAN MACDONALD

I DON’T know if it was the fact that it was a friendly and the result of no great moment, but against Stoke City yesterday the Dons produced a brighter and more profitable brand of soccer than they have done for weeks.

With several reserves in the side the team scored more goals in this game than in four League fixtures. This fact must have given the Aberdeen officials some food for thought.
It may be a trifle risky to place too much reliance on a friendly game, but yesterday’s line-up certainly instilled more vigour and vitality into their play than has been produced by recent formations.
Harry Yorston, dropped from the first team last Saturday, was restored to the inside left berth, a fact which suggests that he may have been on show for the benefit the Stoke City officials. He has asked for a transfer and the Pittodrie club may well agree to his request.
Some of the credit for the improvement in the play of the Aberdeen forwards yesterday must go to the wing half-backs, Glen and Cameron. Both worked tremendously hard and contrived to keep the ball on the ground.

Bright Future

Leggatt and Smith struck up a lively combination on the right wing, and claimed two of the goals. Glen scored the two others, one from the penalty spot.
Leggatt is a youngster with a bright future, while his partner appeared more at home in the inside right berth against Stoke than he was at Celtic Park.
Yesterday’s match, the proceeds of which went to the Frank Watson Memorial Fund, provided lively and entertaining soccer for the 17 000 crowd.
Stoke were quicker and slicker on the ball than the Dons, but the home players were as determined and thrustful as their rivals.

Thomson Effective

Ken Thomson, the former Aberdeen centre-half, who was transferred to the English club for £20,000 a year ago, has gained polish since he crossed the Border.
He was cool and effective in the middle and it was particularly noticeable that he made every effort to use the ball to advantage.
The result of the match, a draw of four goals each, enabled Stoke to continue their series of draws. They have shared the points in eight of their twelve League fixtures.

Source: Evening Express, 29th September 1953