Aberdeen 0 - 2 St. Mirren

They Were Not Good Enough for Job

IF Aberdeen are doomed to a Spell in "B" Division footbal - and the portents are increasingly ominous - their failure to collect points at home will have played a large part in shaping their destiny.

The 2-0 defeat inflicted by St Mirren at Pittodrie on Saturday meant that the Dons' had lost no fewer than thirteen of a possible twenty-two points in home games so far. In eleven outings before their own supporters they have lost five matches, drawn three and won three.
A high wind played some queer tricks with the ball on Saturday, and this no doubt contributed to the fact that the game didn't rate very high in entertainment value.
St Mirren were not so much better than Aberdeen, but they at least managed to get the ball in the net on two occasions.
For the last few weeks the breaks have not been going Aberdeen's way, but there can be no such excuses on this occasion. They just weren't good enough for the job - and the inside forwards must shoulder a large portion of the blame.
It was not a happy debut for Bobby Gibson, the new recruit from Ashington. He doesn't look ready yet for this type of football, but it must be said in his favour that not once did he get the ball put through to him to let him run in on goal.

Disappointing

For players of experience, Stenhouse and Williams were most disappointing. Stenhouse was always struggling to hit a game, and missed two good scoring chances after half-time. Williams, too, often elected to shoot wildly instead of passing to the unmarked Hather.
The home inside pair compared badly with Stewart and Davie who, although not outstanding, never missed a chance to bring their speedy wingers into the scheme of things, often to the discomfiture of McKenna and Ancell. The right back was ill at ease against Lesz.
In the absence of Hamilton through injury Aberdeen's lack of drive in the vital inside berths makes one wonder why Smith has not been given a chance and why Jamieson was allowed to go to Coventry City without being given the opportunity of showing whether or not he had improved during his spell in the Army.
Aberdeen's half-backs have often come under fire, and here they were by no means the worst section of the team. Thomson has been more dominant in the past, although he covered well. Harris and Anderson have treat strength in the tackle, and it was disappointing to watch the right half being so reckles when it came to parting.

Surprise

With so many seasoned players in the side it was a surprise to see Anderson take the penalty awarded against Telfer in the first half when Aberdeen were fighting to wipe out a one-goal deficit. He made bad job of it, and even failed to get the rebound before Kirk fell on the ball.
St Mirren's rugged defence gave nothing away, and they will probably upset the more fancied Dundee in this week's cup-tie at Dens Park. While Dave was the most constructive player in the Paisley attack, it was extreme wingers Burrell and Lesz who looked most menacing.
Lesz added to his reputation as an opportunist by being on the spot to bang hom the first goal from eight yards in the sixth minute. His second counter in the closing minutes came after forty minutes of an almost non-stop but guileless barrage by Aberdeen in the second Half.

Source: Press & Journal, 31st January 1949