Aberdeen 5 - 0 St. Mirren

# COWIE - More valuable as half.
# KELLY - Quickly becomes popular.
# YORSTON - Makings of a good inside.
# COOPER - Enthusiasm of a young 'un.

WHAT a transformation there was in the Dons after the interval against St Mirren at Pittodrie on Saturday, although, of course, the Saints were handicapped in the second half by an injury to Milne, their centre forward.

From a mediocre, struggling side that was lucky on play to be a goal up, the Dons developed into eleven "red devils." There was no holding them.
The Paisley defence reeled and floundered. They couldn't cope with this rejuvenated Aberdeen. Three times the ball went past Gordon Rennie, the St Mirren keeper, in the first sixteen minutes of the period.
St Mirren may well consider they didn't deserve to be a goal down at half-time, but there was no argument after the interval - the Dons took the high road towards Rennie.

The Old War-horse

There was a definite improvement in the Aberdeen defence compared with the Christmas Day match at Cathkin Park. Old war-horse Willie Cooper, with a wealth of football experience, played with all the enthusiasm of young un.
Cowie's display left little doubt as to his best position. He is more valuable at right-half than right back. He is still a useful defender, but is in a better position to use his abilities as an attacker in the mid-line.
The entire attack showed more method and menace in the second half. Archie Kelly quickly became popular with the Pittodrie Crowd. He can distribute play, and is quick and fearless in pursuit of the ball.
Yorston is inclined to be a trifle careless in parting wth the ball, but has the makngs of a good inside forward, and this eighteen-year-old lad's three goals in two games testify to his ability as a goal-getter.
St Mirren were handicapped in the second half. Just before the interval Milne was injured, and he played on the right wing with Telford as leader of the attack. He eventually retired a few minutes from the end.
Lindsey, left back, and Telfer, centre half, struggled hard to stem the tide for St Mirren. Their best forward was Deakin, at inside left.

Kelly's Speed

Aberdeen's opening goal in twenty-four minutes provides a good illustration of Kelly's speed. He carried the ball through before sending ahead to Yorston. The inside right's shot struck Rennie and was trickling towards the goal-line when the centre bobbed up to add the finishing touch.
Four minutes after the start of the second half the Dons' total was two. Kellv held up down the middle, and McCall raced in from the wing to smash the ball into the net off the post.
No 3 arrived fifteen in minutes. Kiddie fastened on to a cross from McCall, steadied himself and sent the ball flying into the the net.
Saints were given no time to recover. One minute later Harris sent the ball up the middle and Yorston smartly hooked it into the net before it could touch the ground.
The same player got another with his head in the closing minutes. On this occasion Kiddie provided the cross.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th December 1947