Buckie Give Aberdeen A Football Lesson
By JAMES FORBES
PROBLEMS confronting the officials of Aberdeen F.C. were accentuated last night when the Dons were beaten 2-1 by Buckie Thistle, the Qualifying Cup holders, in a benefit match for Martin Buchan at Victoria Park.
Don't imagine that the Pittodrie club treated this as "just another friendly." They fielded six players with first team experience - five of them having been in the League side this season.
They were "gifted" a goal shortly after the start; played against ten men for part of the second half; played with the wind behind them throughout the second period and still allowed Buckie to score two goals after the interval.
Lack of forward power was the reason for the Dons' downfall. The inside forwards were McRae and Ivor Smith (just recovering from a cartilage operation), but Boyd and Jimmy Brown were on the wings and Dunbar in the middle.
One would have thought that these three would have taken some of the load off their young colleagues, but all their threats in the outfield came to nothing. I cannot recall Gordon Rennie, in Buckie’s goal for the evening, having one direct shot to save.
Little blame could be attached to the Aberdeen half-backs, although Cameron faded near the finish.
A section of the side which has not been giving the club any trouble this season is full back, and it is difficult to think of reason why Allisler should have been at right back. I don't think this experiment will be repeated.
Mowatt. the former Inverness Thistle ’keeper, had probably his best game since coming to Aberdeen. He was rather unfortunate with the second goal, and a superlative save from Stewart in the second half prevented another goal.
Buckie Sparkle
Aberdeen’s shortcomings did not detract from the sparkle of Buckie. Although the game was restricted to forty minutes each way this did not favour the Highland League side, who were going better the longer the game lasted.
Dutch was a tower of strengtn at centre-half, and others who did well were Tough, Thain, Jeffrey, Buchan, Stewart and George Cowie, former Banks o’ Dee player.
An unnecessary pass-back by Tough allowed Dunbar to put Aberdeen ahead shortly after the start, and that finished the first half scoring. Buckie equalised with a splendid goal by Martin Buchan, and Billy Cowie brought out the winner.
He shot from an acute angle and the fast travelling ball appeared to be fisted by Mowatt on to the underside of the bar and then into the net. Aberdeen made desperate efforts to equalise, but their forward play lacked method.
Source: Evening Express, 22nd September 1953
Buckie Thistle Teamsheet
Gordon Rennie (Fraserburgh), George Tough, Jim Leask, Jimmy Thain, John Dutch, Bobby Jeffrey, Martin Buchan, Billy Cowie, Alex Stewart, George Cowie, Milne (Fraserburgh).
Aberdeen Teamsheet Mowatt,
Allister,
Aitken,
Cameron,
Young,
Glen,
Boyd,
MacRae,
Dunbar,
Smith,
Brown.
Venue: Victoria Park, Buckie
Referee: J.S.Devine, Aberdeen