Dundee 1 - 1 Aberdeen

Harris, at Right Half, was Aberdeen's Best
PROBLEMS UNSOLVED,/p> A REORGANISED Aberdeen team, which included a completely new half-back formation, stepped up on Saturday's form to share the points in a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Dens Park yesterday. Despite this rather unexpected result the Dons are far from having solved all their problems.

Dundee have themselves to blame for the fact that they didn't win. They had the better scoring chances, but lost their grip for spell in the second half.
They tried to make amends with an all-out attack in the last ten minutes, but couldn't find the way to goal.
For the first fifteen minutes the Aberdeen defence was far from confident, and when Dundee took the lead in twenty-one minutes the home supporters sat back to wait for more. Several chances were missed, and gradually Aberdeen improved.
There was nothing polished about their methods, but they were effective. Watson had some good saves and Chris Anderson, who was the fourth centre half-back to be tried in as many games, excelled in a destructive capacity.
In this respect he could cry quits with Johnny Pattillo, who acted as policeman in the Dundee defence. Pattillo's mission was to keep Hamilton quiet, and it must be admitted that he was successful for the greater part of the game.
Tony Harris was the most consistent Aberdeen player. In his new berth at right half he had his hands full with Syd Gerrie, the former Inverurie Loco Works forward, but he found time to support the forwards and made several shrewd openings.
Robb, who was blooded at left half for the Dons, is strong in the tackle but has a bit to go yet. Alf Boyd shared half-back honours with Harris.
Dundee had a definite advantage in attack, yet their forwards were guilty of missing chances. Some of the game's best moments were provided by Gerrie and Hill, the leftwing pair. Hill was full of running and made things uncomfortable for Emery.

Weakness Persists,/p> Aberdeen's weakness at inside forward persists, and it was seldom that one saw a concerted movement. Hamilton was keen to chase everything, but didn't often get clear of Pattillo.
Pearson, who took over from the injured Hather. was Aberdeen's best attacker, although he could not take any liberties with Alan Massie, who was freed from Pittodrie at the end of last season. Still, Pearson's accurate passing was an object lesson to some of the other players the field, and his goal was typical of his confidence when on the ball.
The first sign that Dundee were out for blood was when Hill came in from the wing and hit the bar from twenty-five yards. Watson later made a grand double save from Stewart, but was beaten in twenty-one minutes.
Hill made the opening and Gerrie fastened on to score with an oblique drive from inside the penalty box. Stewart later missed great chance made bv Hill, and the first call made on Lynch saw Yorston head into the 'keeper's hands.
Aberdeen's equaliser in thirty-six minutes was very much against the run of play. Harris slung a long ball in the direction of the penalty spot, and while Lynch and another defender hesitated, Pearson appeared on the scene.

Pearson's Shuffle,/p> With a typical shuffle, he had his opponents guessing, and cutely back-heeled the ball into the net. A well-taken goal.
Aberdeen's best spell came after the interval, but they didn't produce anything really spectacular. There was much more threat about Dundee's late rally.
Gerrie was the leading light in this revival. He had several grand tries, and one shot came back off the post with Watson nowhere. At the same time the young 'keeper deserved a pat on the back for some grand saves.
Lynch cleared well when Hamilton rose to an accurate cross by Pearson.

Source: Press & Journal, 3rd January 1950

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