Aberdeen 2 - 1 Celtic

UNTIL George Hamilton got on nodding acquaintance with Bonnar at Pittodrie on Saturday it looked as if Celtic would slip back to Glasgow with a point, says Norman MacDonald.

During the first seventy-five minutes the Dons at times outplayed and outmanoeuvred Celtic. They had the game well won in everything but goals.
The forwards almost ruined Aberdeen's reputation for thrift.
They wasted scoring chances with millionaire-like prodigality, but Celtic, too, could be accused of wastefulness.
The 30,000 crowd got thrills, spills and frills in abundance, but no goals. It was left to Hamilton to assume the mantle of matchwinner.
The spectators had almost resigned themselves to a goalless draw when the first goal arrived fifteen minutes from the finish. Following a throw-in on the left Hather slipped the bail to Yorston. The inside right hit a dandy leftfoot drive.
Bonnar might have stopped the ball, but he never got the chance. With an almost imperceptible flick of his head Hamilton guided the ball away from the 'keeper into the net.

Hamilton Again

Hather started another goal-producing movement. When Boyd finally crossed a fast, low ball from the right Hamilton swallow-dived to head home.
Celtic's last-minute counter served only to put a better complexion on the result. It was a well-taken effort. McPhail jumped high near the far post to head in a cross from Tully.
Before the goals arrived every Aberdeen forward had at one time or another scorned scoring chances.
The Dons won in the end, as they deserved to, but they gave their supporters many unnecessary anxious moments.
There were lots of near misses and the nearest of all was when Hather struck the post in the second half. From the rebound Boyd had a go and Mallan cleared on the goal-line.
Much of the credit for Aberdeen's victory must go to the half backs. Anderson, Young and Glen did a good job of work.
The fact that they succeeded in curbing the activities of the Celtic inside forwards extracted much of the sting from the Parkhead front rank.

Glen Impressed,/p> Glen again emphasised that wing half is his best position. He was strong and forceful and did his side an invaluable service when he saved a certain goal with the score 0-0.
McPhail, the Celtic leader, had broken clean through. Challenged by Martin he flicked the ball past the 'keeper. It was on its way into the empty goal when Glen raced back to retrieve it and clear.
Martin played well in the Dons' goal and Shaw showed more confidence than he has done in recent weeks. Collins was seldom dangerous.
The right winger and Tully switched positions in the second half.
During this game the Aberdeen forwards were at once the admiration and despair of their supporters. They played some lively and entertaining football, but they were guilty of faulty finishing.
Hamilton was the No. 1 man of the line, if for no other reason than the fact that he scored both goals. Baird, too, was lively, especially in the first half.
On this form Celtic are not of championship calibre. The defence was inclined to show more energy than science and of the attackers only McPhail and Tully were consistently dangerous.

Source: Press & Journal, 16th October 1950